Rather than emphasizing highly structured learning at desks, the British EYFS curriculum allows young children to develop through hands-on experiences, exploration, and self-directed play. These practices are aimed at cultivating social skills, EQ, creativity, and an innate love of learning from an early age. 

Ombu’s British-Mexican learning space is the collaborative effort of three mothers: Mexican Elisa Palacios (Eli), and Brits Rosie Roper and Sophie Matthews. What began as a small “bubble” of children cared for by Eli during COVID-19 rapidly expanded, prompting her to seek out a larger space. Eli’s mother, who lives in a highrise building overlooking Ombu’s current location, was able to see into an open lot available for rent across the street. She suggested Eli look into the space, noting the potential of its vast courtyard. Within a year, Ombu had moved in. Rosie, an early education instructor who had taught English to Elisa’s “bubble” of students, was quickly asked to join the operation. Later on, Rosie met fellow fellow Brit (and educator) Sophie and convinced her to come on as a partner. 

The backgrounds of the three women seamlessly blend to provide children with a holistic foundation for body, mind, and spirit. Eli brings spiritual healing expertise rooted in meditation and yoga, while Rosie and Sophie, highly trained early childhood educators, draw from years of experience in prestigious international schools.

There are a number of major British schools offering EYFS education in Mexico City, from big names such as The Edron Academy (who have produced names like Jennifer Clement and DBC Pierre, where Rosie first got her start in Mexico), Greengates (now operated by international education giants Nord Anglia) and Winpenny. However, the small scale of things at Ombu makes the school feel much more personal, and allows every member of the team to play an important role in nurturing the children in their care.

Walking through the blue door of Ombu Kinder feels akin to entering a magical foreign land not unlike a scene from Lord of the Rings; a dignified Ombu tree rises from the center of the courtyard dressed with ropes for climbing. Scattered around are several inflatable pools, some filled with plastic balls and others with a shallow layer of water, explaining the bathing suits worn by many of the children running about. In a nearby classroom, the sound of a tambourine is audible over the chatter and laughter of children. Pulga, a fluffy black dog trots leisurely around the premises observing the proceedings, and I’ve been informed that a neighboring rooster drops in to occasionally check out the scene.

Various adventure stations dot the premises, including a “mud kitchen”, a giant sandbox filled with toys, a jumbo trampoline, a treehouse, and a swing set. Upon navigating from one side of the courtyard to the other, one must take great care not to be run over by gangs of tiny adventurers pedaling furiously on plastic bikes, trucks, and other miniature vehicles. Flanking the open space is a series of airy, pod-like classrooms, each with its distinct theme, from a cosmos-inspired room featuring a human-sized rocket ship and glittering planets suspended from the ceiling to a tranquil shala-like space adorned with colorful pastel cushions. 

Ombu caters to children aged 0-5 years, drawing a diverse array of nationalities, among them Mexican, Danish, Russian, German, French, and American. The center’s British EYFS methodology combines elements of Montessori and Waldorf practices with its research-based approach. Each cohort, named after the elements (nieve, cielo, agua, tierra, and fuego), is assigned age-appropriate developmental outcomes customized according to the interests of each child. “It’s about observing the children, seeing what they like, what their needs are, and incorporating that into the curriculum. So it’s very much a personalized curriculum,” explains Rosie. 

The primary objectives for children include three foundational factors: social, emotional, and physical. These are followed by areas with an academic focus, such as Maths and English. But the main priority is ensuring that kids have a baseline of well-being, happiness, safety, and security. From that state, learning happens best. Sophie speaks of her own disappointing experiences looking for a school for her young child. “They were very focused on children sitting, and on silence,” she says. “I didn’t see much interaction or guidance from the teachers. It was more about behavioral management. And for children in their early years, in my professional opinion, that’s not what’s meant to happen. They’re meant to be having a bit of freedom, and walking and developing language and social skills.” She goes on to cite how important it is that Ombu allows for an environment of “organized chaos,” filled with various games and sensory stimulation, where kids can practice independence, inter-relational skills, and self-awareness.

For children with special needs, Ombu offers extra support with dedicated shadow personnel. The school also has on staff a school psychologist, speech therapist, sensory therapist, and an occupational therapist. School helpers or “guias” are vetted with a preference for those with a background in psychology, over one in teaching. To further the aim of healthy play-based early development, the center is in the process of building a sensory stimulation room, complete with soft surfaces, a slide, and a ball pit.

Ombu radiates Mexican warmth and spirit, married with British whimsy and ingenuity. It is a testament to the benefits of intercultural learning, allowing kids to be well-adjusted global citizens. “We built a center that I wish I would have had as a child,” Sophie remarks, and I have to agree. My time immersed in the school’s enchanting environment has left me thoroughly inspired and energized. And quite frankly, I wouldn’t mind spending more time there even now at my age, lost in imaginative play, learning, and multi-cultural social camaraderie.

Monica Belot is a writer, researcher, strategist and adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she teaches in the Strategic Design & Management Program. Splitting her time between NYC and Mexico City, where she resides with her naughty silver labrador puppy Atlas, Monica writes about topics spanning everything from the human experience to travel and design research. Follow her varied scribbles on Medium at https://medium.com/@monicabelot.

The post The tiny British school serving Mexican spirit in the heart of the capital appeared first on Mexico News Daily

Indeed, many travelers to Mexico have returned home with a canine buddy after falling in love with a friendly stray during a trip. Among them is British actress and activist Emma Watson, who recently shared her positive experience adopting her puppy Sofia from Mexico, calling the pup “an angel, not a dog.” 

Why you should adopt a dog from Mexico

The Wild at Heart Foundation of Mexico estimates over 23 million stray dogs roam the country. In Mexico City alone, authorities have reported capturing and euthanizing a heartbreaking 20,000 dogs per month. Additionally, the lack of comprehensive anti-cruelty laws in the country allows for commonplace neglect and violence towards dogs.

Data from the State of Pet Homelessness Project reveals over 96,000 pups seeking refuge in shelters across Mexico. With one of the highest numbers of homeless animals globally, Mexico significantly surpasses figures in many other nations. Adopting a dog helps save canine lives and enrich our own too.

Mexi-Canine Friends for Everyone

These distressing numbers are not the only reason to consider adopting a pup from Mexico. The sheer number of adoptable dogs in the country allows for a vast variety tailored to one’s lifestyle, needs, and preferences. Options include hairless breeds for those with allergies, high-energy dogs for active families, or calmer temperaments for more laid-back owners.

Due to the abundance of dogs, Mexico is also home to a diverse range of breeds and mixes less commonly found elsewhere. Adopting a dog from Mexico often allows owners to find a truly unique companion with distinct characteristics.

What It’s Like: Adopting Atlas

My own experience adopting my puppy Atlas from a Mexican rescue has provided useful insights. I’ve learned firsthand that raising a puppy is challenging but rewarding work. It’s a significant responsibility, so ensure you’re well-prepared. Street dogs, in particular, may need time to adjust, but with sufficient love and stability, they can become irreplaceable, adoring family members.

After attending puppy adoption events and browsing Instagram accounts of Mexican rescues, my partner and I came across an Instagram post from @adopta.mx featuring an irresistible Silver Lab mix pup (then called Luke). We instantly fell in love and reached out to the organization to ask about the next steps. They had us complete an application and conduct a brief interview where we demonstrated our preparedness and commitment to raising a puppy. We were approved within a few days.

The Pick-Up

In our case, since we lived in Mexico City, we were able to grab an Uber and head to a small residential town about 45 minutes outside of the city. When we received our pup, he was tiny, skinny, and shaking. He peed on my lap during the ride home. 

The following weeks were an anxious whirlwind as first-time puppy parents. We fretted over every detail, wondering if we were providing the proper care. Atlas suffered bouts of diarrhoea, nipped incessantly (as puppies do), and swallowed anything on the floor he could fit in his mouth. In one particularly harrowing incident, I rushed him to the vet in a panic after finding one of my candy colored earplugs in his stool. Despite our worries and with our vet’s guidance, Atlas has grown into a healthy, friendly, and feisty little guy. 

The Basics of Adopting a Dog From Mexico – Step by Step:

While there may be some variations, the general process for adopting a dog from Mexico is similar across most rescues. These tips will help guide you through the key steps.

Finding Your Furry Companion:

The process typically begins by finding a credible rescue organization through online searches, social media, or word-of-mouth recommendations. Adoptist, Adopta.mx, Alamos Dog Foundation, Pets.Yuri, and Caravana Canina are good starting points. Thoroughly vetting the rescue is crucial and reputable organizations should have details on the animal’s medical history and behavior, and be able to guide you through the adoption and travel process. If adopting while abroad, select a rescue experienced with sending pets to your country, as they can assist with all the required paperwork, vetting, crates, airport protocols, and customs procedures.

If you’re searching for a pet while outside of Mexico and are unable to meet the pet in advance, be sure to gather as much information as possible to carefully vet whether the dog is the right fit for your family. Ask the rescue for additional details like videos, information on the parents, and behavioral notes. 

In cases where you find and fall in love with a stray dog while in Mexico, the requirements differ slightly but adopting is still fairly straightforward. Take the stray to a local veterinarian to have its health assessed and begin the vaccination process. If possible, try partnering with a local rescue to assist with the process or temporarily care for the animal until it can travel to its new home.

Interviews and Paperwork: 

Many rescues will require you to fill out a form with questions about yourself and the dog’s future home to ensure it is being placed in a safe environment. They’ll assess if you’re a good fit by asking about previous pet ownership, your preparedness for the responsibility of a dog, reasons for adopting, and your commitment to keeping the pet for life. Other common questions include whether you can provide a comfortable sleeping area and if you are financially stable to care for a dog. Many rescues also request a future commitment to spaying/neutering if the dog is not already sterilized. Some organizations conduct phone or video call interviews, offering an opportunity to ask your questions and demonstrate your readiness to adopt. 

Documentation requirements often include an adoption fee or requested donation for a small amount. 

Vaccinations and Checkup Requirements:

Most countries mandate a rabies vaccine and health certificate from a veterinarian before entering. Be sure to give yourself enough time to get any vaccines if needed. The health certificate required is typical, similar to a canine’s yearly “physical.” Oftentimes, the veterinarian will give you something called a “carnet” or a passport-like book with a record of the dog’s vaccinations. Be sure to have the original and make an extra copy.

If traveling to the U.S., you’ll need a certificate showing the rabies vaccine was given within 12 months but over 30 days before the flight. Once you show this document, your dog will also need to pass a physical exam.

Bringing Your Dog Home

If adopting a puppy, aim for them to be at least 4 months old to ensure they’ve completed their initial round of vaccinations. Driving is the easiest to avoid the complexity of air travel, but if flying, book the most direct route possible to minimize stress for your canine companion. For most airlines, small dogs may fly in-cabin if their total weight with the carrier is under 20 lbs, otherwise, they’ll ride in a specially allocated cargo space. Be sure to check your airline’s pet policies and your country’s regulations regarding quarantines (which are rare, but sometimes happen).

If you’re adopting a dog from outside of Mexico and cannot pick it up yourself, work with the rescue to arrange a “flight angel” escort. Many rescues have volunteers who assist by accompanying animals on their journey to the new home. You’ll be responsible for covering the airline’s pet fee, any applicable import taxes, and meeting the volunteer escort at your arrival airport to welcome your new furry family member.

Enjoy and Love: 

Finally, be sure to enjoy your new canine companion. Let us know about your experience adopting a dog from Mexico in the comments below!

Monica Belot is a writer, researcher, strategist and adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she teaches in the Strategic Design & Management Program. Splitting her time between NYC and Mexico City, where she resides with her naughty silver labrador puppy Atlas, Monica writes about topics spanning everything from the human experience to travel and design research. Follow her varied scribbles on Medium at https://medium.com/@monicabelot.

The post Here’s what to expect when adopting a dog in Mexico appeared first on Mexico News Daily

He pulls out a small cloth bag and overturns it. Plain wooden figurines spill onto the table, each a different color but otherwise identical. Seeing my confused look, he scoops them into a pile and slides it over. “Choose one to represent your paternal grandfather,” he says. I pick an orange one.

He has me select different colors for each of my parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on until my extended family is represented. Per Alvaro’s instructions, I also select a white figurine to represent myself, pushing aside the fact that the color projects a cliched image of innocence.

“Now, place them into position with one another.” I consider each character and position each one carefully on the surface of the table.

Over the next hour, we discuss the placement of the figures in relation to one other and to my proxy figure. Alvaro comments on the positioning, asking insightful questions that trigger me, but also prompt novel perspectives. “You’ve rejected your family,” he notes, pointing out my proxy figure’s placement, far from the cluster of the other figures, back turned away.

“I’m not like them,” I protest. “I choose to live differently.”

“You cannot push them away,” he cautions. “ The more you actively exclude something from your life, the more it demands your attention. They’re your ancestors. Face them. Thank them, pay your respects to them, and then ask them for permission to live differently.”

“Ouff,” I exhale, feeling goosebumps rise on my skin. For years I’d rebelled against my family’s rigid expectations of traditional notions of stability and success. In choosing to live abroad, far from the creature comforts and security of a high-level corporate job, I had made myself something of a black sheep. 

Alvaro guides me in Spanish to ask for my ancestors’ permission: “Mi familia…pido perdón por rechazarlos…déjenme su bendición para vivir nuevo y diferente. Y así los honro.” (My family… I ask for forgiveness for rejecting you… grant me your blessing to live differently… and this way, I will honor you.)

Tears in my eyes, I leave the office with a sense of lightness and clarity. By rejecting my heritage and my family, I’d unconsciously created tension that both blocked and drained me. To find peace, I needed to honor my roots while living authentically.

Mexico’s growing love affair with family constellations

Since then, I’ve noticed the practice of family constellations is referenced frequently around Mexico. Walking on Avenida Amsterdam in Mexico City a few days after my own experience, I overhear a woman telling a friend about a group constellation session in which she had unpacked her tumultuous relationship with her father. “I’m not angry anymore,” she says in Spanish. “I forgive him.”

In expat and Mexican group chats, there are almost weekly constellation events shared. Most Mexicans I’ve talked to have participated or at least heard of it.

“Oh yes, I’ve even done it with horses,” one Monterrey-based friend tells me. “Horses?” I ask, confused. She explains patiently, “Horses. I went to a ranch outside of the city where we arranged horses as you did with the wooden figures. The facilitator interpreted the horses’ energy and behavior to uncover the family dynamics.”

Fascinating. There’s something about Mexican culture that makes it fertile ground for this practice.

How family constellations work

Our family dynamics, past and present, profoundly shape our lives – as deeply as at the genetic level. Consciously or not, these generational patterns, traumas, and beliefs manifest in our behaviors and worldviews.

Developed by German psychotherapist Bert Hellinger in the 1990s, family constellations allow participants and facilitators to identify the psycho-emotional family legacy influencing their lives. It’s a therapeutic method aimed at resolving conflicts, increasing self-awareness, and promoting change by exploring familial roles and dynamics.

Participants, individually or in groups, use representatives (beings or objects) to symbolically act out family roles, surfacing unconscious attitudes and latent emotions tied to family experiences. This allows for the reinterpretation of dysfunctional family patterns, addressing unresolved emotions, and reconciling past events and relationships. 

There are numerous ways to conduct constellations — using figurines, horses, stones, colored footprint cut-outs on the floor, or even objects floating in pools. One facilitator, Diana Garcia, even applies family constellations to corporate settings, conducting sessions with organizational teams in Mexico.

Using footprints, she looks at whether departments are heading in unified directions or getting in each other’s way – are they clustered together or stepping on one another? Are they blocking the company’s goals? Garcia takes the constellation concept to the executive level too, showing owners how workplace dynamics can mirror dysfunctional family patterns playing out subconsciously. “The issues and roles we adopt in our families often get replicated in our professional environments without us realizing it.” She explains.

Mexico’s cultural embrace of family constellations

Mexico’s deep emphasis on family bonds and a cultural openness to alternative healing practices provide fertile ground for Family Constellations. The concept of ancestors is powerful in Mexican culture, as is the multi-generational family unit that extends beyond the nuclear family. In Mexico, the family unit is traditionally viewed as a strong, interconnected network (familias mueganos or “glued” families that are always together) that extends beyond the immediate family to include extended relatives and ancestors. 

While this closeness isn’t inherently negative, it can become unhealthy without clear boundaries. Constellations help understand why someone might feel lonely or depressed despite being surrounded by family — because their well-being is intrinsically linked to the overall health of the family system, including past generations’ influences.

Another significant aspect of Mexican culture that aligns with the principles of Family Constellations is the respect for elders and ancestor veneration in Mexican culture. Mexicans are expected to revere ancestors, though this can create dissonance if there is a difficult history or past trauma with any of the familial ancestral parties. Constellations offer a way to process that contradiction without disrespecting the ancestor, by focusing on events, relationships, and “fates” within the family system.

This ancestral reverence is woven into the annual Dia de los Muertos celebration honoring departed loved ones — reinforcing the interconnected, multi-generational view of family that aligns with the principles of Family Constellations and unpacking intergenerational trauma.

Beyond therapy: honoring the past Mexican style

In a culture that celebrates family bonds so fervently, it’s fitting that family constellations have found a home in Mexico’s rich soil, a country where ancient rites illuminate the family ties that both anchor and restrict the soul.

From ranches using horses to embody family roles to boardrooms mapping organizational patterns that mirror household dynamics, constellation work reveals the core energies shaping identity.

For those seeking to untangle generational patterns while staying rooted in reverence, Mexico’s unique cultural context is the perfect setting to alchemize ancestral burdens into blessings through family constellations. 

Monica Belot is a writer, researcher, strategist and adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she teaches in the Strategic Design & Management Program. Splitting her time between NYC and Mexico City, where she resides with her naughty silver labrador puppy Atlas, Monica writes about topics spanning everything from the human experience to travel and design research. Follow her varied scribbles on Medium at https://medium.com/@monicabelot.

The post How a new therapy trend is helping Mexican families reconnect appeared first on Mexico News Daily

There’s an unexpected and somewhat humorous connection between Mexican culture and post-Soviet media. During my childhood, I spent a significant amount of time with my Babushka Maya on weekends and after school. Together, we avidly watched “Гваделупе” (Guadalupe), a Mexican telenovela dubbed into Russian and broadcast on Eastern European TV networks. 

It turns out that during the early 1990s, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, underfunded Russian television studios struggling to meet the public’s rapidly growing demand for entertainment began buying licenses for many Latin American telenovelas and dubbing them into Russian as a quick solution. The Russian-speaking public loved it. The drama of the Mexican telenovela resonated with post-Soviet viewers all too familiar with their own domestic trials and tribulations. Beyond this, there are many other fascinating connections between Eastern European and Mexican history.

No Politics, just pierogies in Mexico’s Russian-speaking circles

Statistics up to 2020 show only a modest number of Russian-speaking immigrants in the area. It was only after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in the region that we began to see a greater influx of immigrants from both countries, along with a diverse mix of Eastern Europeans from across the former USSR. 

Russians, Ukrainians, Armenians, Uzbekistanis, Georgians, Belarussians and more intermingle, coexisting harmoniously in Mexico despite regional conflicts back at home. Some are economic migrants or entrepreneurs seeking new opportunities abroad, while others are refugees fleeing violence and danger. But whether pushed or pulled, they’ve all converged in this unexpected Latin American enclave, forging new lives interconnected by their shared Eastern European heritage. Supportive WhatsApp and Telegram groups of Russian-speakers in Mexico have amassed thousands of active participants, with one important stipulation pinned in the group rules: no discussion of politics.

A century of asylum in Mexico

Mexico has a history of welcoming Soviet dissidents. When Europe and the United States shut them out, Mexico embraced the socialist “undesirables” who fell afoul of the USSR, from Leon Trotsky and his followers to the later internationalist militants who split from Stalin’s “socialism in one country” policy in the 1930s. 

Mexico’s neutral stance — enshrined in foreign policy since 1930 — has made it a haven for those fleeing conflict. This doctrine advocates for non-intervention in external geopolitical issues, allowing Mexico to remain neutral in most international disputes. Mexico’s neutrality helped the country play a crucial role in mediating a solution to the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, the closest the United States and Soviet Union ever came to nuclear war. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, many highly educated Russian immigrants — including scientists, mathematicians, chemists, and physicists — were warmly received in Mexico, taking up positions in various research institutions. 

Today, many Russians have come to Mexico to escape mandatory conscription and an authoritarian regime, while Ukrainians are fleeing the direct dangers of war. 

Slavs in Mexico: Traditionalists or assimilators?

In conversations with several interviewees and reading through group chat conversations, it became clear that two contrasting mentalities towards life in Mexico have emerged within the Eastern European community: those who cling tightly to their own communities and those who embrace their new surroundings.

Those who remain firmly ensconced in their familiar cultural bubble often perceive Mexico as unsafe. They frequently express nostalgia for their homeland, reminiscing about the life they left behind, complaining about the country’s shortcomings and viewing themselves as separate from the broader Mexican community.

On the other hand, there is an equally prominent set who enthusiastically immerse themselves and celebrate transcultural mingling. This group enjoys embracing Mexican culture and life, quickly picking up the Spanish language. Nastya Krivets, a Ukrainian brand and web designer, embodies this mindset. “My assignment here is to integrate. Not all of the Slavs have that mentality,” she explains. Nastya prefers making international friends through multi-cultural business and networking events rather than seeking out her compatriots.

Despite these differences, Eastern Europeans in Mexico City know how to enjoy life, whether they stick to their own communities or branch out. The community hosts a variety of events, from underground dance clubs to women’s brunch groups and cooking get-togethers. These gatherings often highlight their knack for turning any occasion into a celebration. It’s not uncommon for a dance party to spontaneously erupt, fueled by music from a phone speaker and the enthusiasm of just a few friends in someone’s living room.

Sunshine and smiles

What draws these immigrants to Mexico? Beyond the straightforward immigration process and potential for political asylum, it’s many of the same things that captivate us all: the beautiful weather, the food and the warmth of the Mexican people.

Mexican friendliness contrasts sharply with Eastern Europeans’ often reserved demeanor. Egor Nekrasov, a Russian interviewee, hypothesizes that during the Soviet era, looking too happy could provoke suspicion from authorities. Nastya adds that people of the region are often wary of insincere smiles, making Mexico’s genuine warmth especially appealing.

Then there’s the food. While Russian cuisine has its delights, both Nastya and I agree that it never quite reached the heights of other global cuisines. This stagnation is likely due to the Soviet Union’s restrictive environment and decades of economic hardship, which stifled culinary innovation. In contrast, Mexico offers a vibrant food scene that offers a stark departure from the often simpler, heartier fare of Eastern Europe.

Eastern European ingenuity meets Mexican opportunity

Beyond the cultural draws, Mexico offers fertile ground for business opportunity, which allows the post-Soviet spirit of ingenuity — often born of necessity — to thrive. Egor Nekrasov expresses his admiration for his compatriots: “I see them around the world and I’m impressed.” He says. “They know how to hustle, they know how to make money and survive under the most adverse conditions. They’re like sharks. They try everything.” Egor himself embodies this ethos, juggling an array of hustles from tutoring to bartending to curating vintage pop-up events around the city for his brand Chinaski Vintage. 

In Roma Sur, Russian entrepreneurs Igor and Vadim exemplify the scrappy entrepreneurial spirit. A former restaurateur and classical pianist, respectively, Igor and Vadim recently launched Sobaka Pizzeria. After finding a small space and remodeling it themselves, the two bought a portable personal-sized pizza oven and now serve the community with Sobaka’s fresh, simple menu. The pair have found it significantly easier to launch and sustain a small business in Mexico than in Russia. 

Entrepreneurial stories like this are plentiful. Egor jokes about a friend who bought an enormous quantity of coffee beans and is now hustling to sell them around town. These stories reflect the dynamic and enterprising nature of the community in Mexico City.

Slavic businesses to check out in Mexico City

Some other Eastern European businesses in the capital include:

• Boris Delicatessen: A hidden gem located next to the Russian Embassy, this store offers a variety of Eastern European goods, from matryoshka dolls to canned and deli specialties, including frozen vareniki. 
• Kolobok Restaurant: Established in 2001, this popular spot now boasts multiple locations in Nápoles, Santa María la Ribera, Polanco and Escandón. It offers a wide variety of Slavic and Baltic dishes including borscht, vareniki, shuba and sweet syrniki. 
• Escuela de Idioma y Cultura Rusa: This Russian school in Mexico City offers classes, courses and workshops on Russia, its people and its language.
• Le Beauty Studio: Ukrainian-owned, this studio exemplifies Slavic beauty expertise. “Slavic beauty masters are renowned worldwide,” says Nastya Krivets. “The beauty standards are so high that you can always expect exceptional service.”

“Contrary to stereotypes, it takes more than a couple of shots of strong vodka to get Slavs to open up and bond,” says Egor Nekrasov. But once you’re in, you’re in for a fascinating and lively adventure. To be sure, as the Eastern European influence continues to blend in with the warm cultural fabric of Mexico, its contribution promises to be an exceedingly interesting one over time.

Monica Belot is a writer, researcher, strategist and adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she teaches in the Strategic Design & Management Program. Splitting her time between NYC and Mexico City, where she resides with her naughty silver labrador puppy Atlas, Monica writes about topics spanning everything from the human experience to travel and design research. Follow her varied scribbles on Medium at https://medium.com/@monicabelot.

The post Matryoshkas & Mariachi: The Eastern Europeans of Mexico City appeared first on Mexico News Daily

In our exploration of aroma, we’ll take a journey through time, touching upon the realms of the divine, the agricultural, and the historical, as we explore the fragrant ingredients native to Mexico and the key events that characterize the nation’s often-overlooked story of scent. 

Scent and Spirituality Among the Maya and Aztecs

We begin in Ancient Mesoamerica, among the Classic Maya and Aztec populations. Scent was closely associated with spiritual beliefs and practices, symbolizing the connection between the physical world and the supernatural realm. In a 1992 study of native peoples of Mesoamerica, anthropologist Jane Hill identified the widespread concept of a floral paradise present among Mesoamerican belief systems — a place of both ancestral origin and return. The paradisiacal afterlife is closely linked to the concept of the “breath soul”, symbolized by flowers or jade and believed to carry ethereal qualities such as life force, spirituality, and communication with the divine. 

Though Mesoamerican cultures did not use the types of alcohol-based distilled perfumes we’re familiar with today, nobles likely used waters perfumed with soaked and pressed extracts of flowers or plants for personal hygiene, and as symbols of prestige and status. These types of perfumes were also used to treat the bodies of deceased Maya nobles, purifying them and staving off the odors of decomposition. Cinnabar and copal resin have been found in the funerary sites of Mayan royalty. 

Aromas to Satiate the Gods

Aromatic smoke from offerings played a significant role in Mexica belief, attracting and “feeding” the gods. Rather than eating actual food, Maya spirits and deities are believed to consume the aroma of food, flowers, incense, or blood. Anthropologist Miguel Aguilera notes that contemporary Yucatec beliefs hold that the ancient ancestors, known as the hach uchben Maya, did not labor in the fields for maize but instead subsisted on the scent of flowers. Breath or wind, he explains, is not only the sustenance of gods and ancestors but also embodies their spiritual essence, akin to the fragrance of flowers and incense. Copal, in particular, was known as the “food of the gods,” though certain deities were believed to have preferences for specific scents.

It’s fitting that the Latin etymology per fumum at the root of the word “perfume” literally translates to “through smoke.” Burning copal incense and other aromatic plants like tobacco was a central part of making offerings and appeasing the gods, particularly for deities associated with rain, vegetation, and fertility. The aromas were believed to attract the gods and signify veneration. Depictions in codices show flowing elements and glyphs representing the aromas emanating from offerings of flowers and other sacred items. Both nobles and commoners likely burned copal and other aromatics daily in home rituals.

Spanish “Cologne-ization”

The Spanish conquest of Mexico during the 16th century led to the discovery of new aromatic plants and flowers in Mexico, which were then introduced to Europe. These included vanilla and cacao, which were incorporated into perfumery and significantly expanded the palette of scents available to perfumers. Conversely, the Spanish also introduced European aromatic plants and practices to Mexico. This cross-cultural exchange resulted in a rich fusion of fragrances and practices, shaping the evolution of perfumery in both regions.

Franciscan friars, in particular, sent to convert the Indigenous populations to Christianity during the 1500s, were asked by the queen of Spain to collect flowers, herbs, and exotic plants from their station on the Yucatan peninsula. The friars developed a catalog of unique scents and flora, the emulsions of which were exported to Spain for use in perfumes for almost 300 years.

Mexico City’s Street of Scents

A street in Mexico City’s historical center provides clues to the evolution of scent, ingredients, and perfume-selling in Mexico and beyond. Aptly nicknamed “La Calle de Los Perfumes,” Calle Tacuba is lined with shops offering everything from original proprietary blends to copies of famous colognes. Many of the shops also carry individual emulsions of ingredients, allowing you to create your custom blends of perfumes at an inexpensive cost. 

During the Spanish colonial era, Calle Tacuba was known as one of the central commercial areas of the city, where Spanish settlers brought with them perfumes and fragrances from Europe, which were highly valued commodities among the colonial elite.

Today, the street also hosts a relative newcomer to the area- the beautifully curated Museum of Perfume (MUPE), housed in a stately 19th-century mansion. The space aims to educate visitors on everything from the history of perfume-making to the origins of global ingredients, and stories of famous perfumes and perfume-makers from all over the world. Also on display at the MUPE is an extensive collection of packaging and bottles from hundreds of luxury brands, from Balenciaga to Chanel, Moschino to Zegna. Through workshops, lectures, and interactive displays, MUPE fosters a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between scent and society.

The Eau-So-Unique Ingredients of Mexico

Mexican perfumery traditionally utilizes a wide array of native scent ingredients, which are still in use today, albeit in a more modern context. The country’s biodiverse ingredients are sought after for their high quality and richness and are exported worldwide for use in the global perfume industry. The earthy aroma of copal, the tree resin used in spiritual rituals and as an insect repellent, is deeply ingrained in Mexican traditional and modern culture. The citrusy fragrance of cempasúchil, or marigold, is a staple on altars during the Day of the Dead celebrations, symbolizing the Mexican belief in the cycle of life and death. The sweet, warm scent of vanilla, originally cultivated by the Totonac people, is globally recognized and is frequently used as a base note in many fragrances. Cacao, the primary ingredient in chocolate, provides a robust aroma and is used in food, beverages, and aromatic blends. Another ingredient is the Yucatan honey, which lends a sweet, floral note to perfumes. Mexican lime, with its fresh and zesty scent, is often used as a top note in fragrances. The native Damiana flower, known for its strong and spicy aroma, is also used. 

The Next Chapter: Mexican Perfumers on the World Stage

Competing on the world stage today, a handful of contemporary Mexican luxury brands are capturing the attention of discerning noses worldwide, bringing Mexican flair, distinctive ingredients, and artisanal talent to the forefront. Coqui Coqui, Arquiste and XINU perfumes are headlining the next chapter in Mexico’s aromatic anthology, in which their perfumers blend traditional Mexican ingredients with other exotic scents to create unique and complex fragrances. 

The founders of the brands weave Mexican history and storytelling into the fabric of contemporary Mexican culture to bring novel stories and aromas to international consumers. These and other emerging brands are the unseen olfactory threads that bind the past to the present, the spiritual to the sensory, creating a unique tapestry that is as vibrant as Mexico itself.

Monica Belot is a writer, researcher, strategist and adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she teaches in the Strategic Design & Management Program. Splitting her time between NYC and Mexico City, where she resides with her naughty silver labrador puppy Atlas, Monica writes about topics spanning everything from the human experience to travel and design research. Follow her varied scribbles on Medium at https://medium.com/@monicabelot.

The post From Maya to modernity: The fascinating story of scent in Mexico appeared first on Mexico News Daily

A neighborhood staple since 2010, Mercado el 100 draws in the fashionable, the hipster expats, celebrity chefs, discerning locals, curious tourists and gastronomes alike. Learn about the history of the trendy open-air market, its offerings, and the must-visit vendors.

Mercado el 100’s Origins & Philosophy

Mercado el 100’s name reflects its philosophy centered around locality, both in its vendors and its produce. With a collective of over 50 organic farmers and artisans — predominantly family businesses – the market exclusively showcases sourced within a 100-kilometer radius of Mexico City. While the Mercado’s prices are often higher than those of traditional markets in Mexico City, it’s worth checking out for high-quality seasonal produce, tasty options and unique finds (and of course, the people-watching). Perhaps most importantly, the market is pet-friendly, so don’t forget to keep an eye out for the adorable pups scampering around and socializing to the beat of live musicians playing their catchy tunes at the plaza.

Set against the backdrop of the López Velarde Park and Garden, the vendor stalls flank a spacious path, and offer everything from handmade soaps, to fresh fruits and vegetables, handmade crafts, clay cooking pots, Mayan chocolate, fresh breads and natural cheeses. Also available is prepared food for a diversity of dietary preferences, including vegan and gluten-free options. The market specializes in some hard-to-find items, like edible flowers, organic pet food, unique spices and even “medicinal mushrooms” (which we haven’t tried out yet, but intend to). Notably, shoppers will appreciate the availability of non-toxic cleaning products, rounding out Mercado el 100’s focus on health and eco-consciousness. 

Must-Visit Vendors in Mercardo 100

While every vendor at Mercado el 100 offers something special, here’s the route we recommend to make the most of your experience at the market. 

Kick off your market adventure with a visit to Señora Salsa — on the left hand side as you walk in. There, you can score some tasty baked goods, including a gluten-free banana cake generously peppered with chocolate chips for an energy boost for the stretch ahead. Make sure you try the Señora’s INCREDIBLE Salsa de Semillas (seeds) which features mild yet flavorful chile mora along with a chunky mix of peanuts, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds. 

Head across the way to Dalias & Julietas to choose from a plethora of homegrown loose-leaf teas and – if only to impress your friends with your elevated plating skills – a selection of delicate edible flowers.

If you know anything about eggs, you know that bright orange yolks are an indicator of eggs with a high nutritional value. The eggs at Los Camperos happen to be some of the tastiest and most vibrant in town. These local treasures are sourced from organic, free-range hens, and sold at a reasonable price.  

Continue onwards to Simbiotica to pick up some probiotic treats like homemade kimchi meant to tantalize both your palate and microbiome. 

An absolute MUST is a stop at Danke Foods, where the chicos running the stall have a minimalistic three products on offer: coconut milk, coconut water and cashew milk– all homemade, and without any chemical-esque additives. This writer’s favorite, by far, is the cashew milk which has a teeny touch of natural sweetener and is drinkable by the gallon (which yours truly is not ashamed to admit she has come close to, on more than one occasion). 

Casa Tlalmamatla is where we like to stock up on ready-made foods for the weekdays ahead (although they’re so tasty that they rarely last more than a day in the house). Snag one of Tlalmamatla’s vegan tamales with mushrooms, and their outstanding tortitas (baked fritters). All of the options are mouth-wateringly delicious, but the ones we dream about most are the cauliflower variety and the acelga and queso (swiss chard and cheese) tortitas. 

Pick up your weekly fish smoked or fileted at Truchas el Manantial, where you can also score a bonus lesson on fish sourcing and quality from the knowledgeable owners. Their fresh trout (brook or rainbow) is ethically raised in a local, forest-based spring.

Then, mosey on over to Rancho Raudal to pick up your meaty necessities like specialized cuts of beef and lamb, grass-fed and humanely raised. We also make sure to buy their hearty caldo de huesos (bone broth), which has the proper gelatin-like characteristics that a nutritious broth should have.

Pick up your fruits and veggies throughout the market– you’ll find these aplenty, including more exotic varieties like purple cauliflower, blue mushrooms and other produce with unusual qualities.

End your market sojourn with a very special experience — usually the highlight of our market day — at Otzilotzi, a prepared food stall specializing in clean and healthy natural ingredients. Here, you can sample dishes with a pre-Hispanic bent, including rabbit tinga, mushrooms a la mexicana, nopales (cactus) with scrambled egg, pipián con chilacayote (creamy thick red salsa with slices of figleaf gourd), and tortitas horneadas de acelga (baked swiss chard fritters). We enjoy a taco with as many toppings as it can fit. The delicious seasoning and unique ingredients are genuinely unforgettable. Otzilotzi also provides many of their salsas and toppings to-go; these make a marvelous culinary addition to any dish. 

The Perfect Sunday Spot

Grab a treat and have a seat at one of the benches in the sunshine at the end of the market path, where you can keep an eye out for many of the interesting characters frequenting the neighborhood’s Sunday meeting spot. 

The market is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., though we recommend arriving early to get the first pick of the best products. After exploring the market, consider a stroll through López Velarde Park and Garden, which borders the plaza. And If your pastry-craving is unsatiated, grab a coffee and blueberry roll nearby at Vulevu Bakery at Córdoba 234, just a stone’s throw away. Whether you’re there for the exotic blue mushrooms or the posh crowd, Mercado el 100 has a lot of something for everyone. 

Monica Belot is a writer, researcher, strategist and adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she teaches in the Strategic Design & Management Program. Splitting her time between NYC and Mexico City, where she resides with her naughty silver labrador puppy Atlas, Monica writes about topics spanning everything from the human experience to travel and design research. Follow her varied scribbles on Medium at https://medium.com/@monicabelot.

The post This Mexico City market serves up organic and local produce…with a side of chic appeared first on Mexico News Daily

Until August 25, a collection of the British artist’s work is on display at the Museo Jumex in Mexico City — the first time Hirst has ever shown at the museum. A multi-floor retrospective, To Live Forever (For a While) showcases many of the themes and key works that have characterized  Hirst’s polarizing career since 1986, among them a display of animals suspended in formaldehyde solution and a diamond-encrusted platinum skull — one of the most expensive works of art ever made.

The exhibition is intended to be a journey through the range of human experience, but it’s a show that will also leave you mulling over the definition of art, ethics and commercialism. Is it art? Is it not? No matter what you’ve heard about Hirst, for the intellectually curious, the exhibition is worth checking out — if only to shake up your sensibilities and formulate your take on the artist. 

Hirst’s works are instantly recognizable, characterized by skulls and skeleton sculptures encased in precious metals alongside cross sections of cleanly halved creatures both real and fabricated. Stainless steel cabinets filled with jars of preserved animal remains, medical paraphernalia and butterfly mosaics serve as a canvas for his exploration of themes like death, decay and rebirth. Yet despite the visceral nature of his subject matter — preserved carcasses, animal organs, scalpels and pills — Hirst’s clean, almost clinical, approach steers his pieces away from the grotesque and towards a realm best described as artistic cataloging. In some ways, his work evokes Marcel Duchamp in its use of existing objects placed in elevated settings to provoke debate on the nature of art.

Hirst was catapulted to fame in 1991 with “The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, ” a 14-foot-long tiger shark suspended in formaldehyde. The now iconic work captivated audiences worldwide and formed the centerpiece of Hirst’s “Natural History” series, encompassing various creatures such as fish, cattle, birds and sheep displayed in formaldehyde tanks. Several of these trademark specimens are on view at the Jumex museum. Hirst’s early and increasing fascination with death and preservation can be traced back through a mixed-media timeline of his career laid out on the first floor of the museum. In one photo, a young Hirst poses with an actual severed human head in a university lab. 

Known as something of a jack of all trades in the public space, Hirst challenges traditional notions of an artist, transitioning between roles as an artist, curator, gallerist, museum director and entrepreneur. Some have said his approach democratizes art by bringing it to the masses in public spaces, upscale hotels and trendy eateries. Others have scoffed at what they see as his commercialization of art. 

Nevertheless, Hirst’s ability to transform “controversy into currency and fame into cultural capital” highlights his legacy as a unique figure in the realm of contemporary art. Embracing a diverse array of mediums beyond painting and sculpture, Hirst’s experimentation challenges convention and leverages modern hype with ventures like the launch of his own NFT currency. 

At the entrance of the Museo Jumex stands Hirst’s take on the Virgin Mother, a monumental three-story sculpture of a pregnant woman, skin peeled back to expose her organs and the developing child in her womb. Once you pass this awe-inspiring sculpture, the exhibition journey begins on the bottom floor of the museum and subsequently directs visitors to the fourth floor via elevator, where they work their way downwards through each floor of the installation. 

Hirst once stated that you must “kill things in order to look at them.” Whether you agree or not, the Jumex exhibition forces you to confront it firsthand. On the uppermost floor, we encounter versions of Hirst’s iconic sharks, alongside his renowned spot paintings. Here, Hirst’s fascination with taxidermy takes center stage, a theme that persists as you descend to the floor below. 

While some may find these displays unsettling, there’s an undeniable fascination in witnessing the lab-like cross-sections of creatures halved — after all, when else will you get to closely observe the intact innards of a real shark, or a cow? Artnet once estimated that approximately 913,450 animals have been sacrificed for Hirst’s art. But before you cry “PETA,” know that this number includes hundreds of thousands of insects, some of them comprising his beautiful butterfly mosaic works symbolizing the resurrection of Christ, also on display at Jumex. 

As you conclude your journey on the first floor, there is a decidedly airier and brighter shift in the atmosphere, in part due to the sun streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, but also due to Hirst’s paintings of vibrant, spring-like cherry blossoms. These works have a popular, kitschy aspect. In the center of the room, under the protective casing, is his $201 million diamond-encrusted platinum skull. Titled “For the Love of God,”, this is one of the most expensive works of art ever produced, made with 8,601 flawless diamonds, including a pear-shaped pink diamond in the forehead. According to Hirst, when he explained his plan for this piece to his mother, her reaction was, “For the love of God, what are you going to do next?”

It is fitting that Hirst’s skeletal work is being shown in Mexico, as the platinum skull was modeled on Mexica mosaic skulls in the collection of the British Museum. Given Hirst’s preoccupation with death, it is also no surprise that Mexico’s Day of the Dead has proven particularly inspiring to him. Hirst has a special connection with Mexico: he owns a house here and his work often incorporates Mexican cultural elements such as skulls, skeletons and catrinas.

Some might argue that Damien’s work lacks sophistication or complexity due to its overt exploration of somewhat obvious themes. The exhibition lays bare the most fundamental aspects of human existence in ways that are sometimes disturbing but always carefully curated. As we peer into a canvas holding a heap of black flies encased in resin, an onlooker states to his friend, “I don’t know why I’m so attracted to it. I hate it, but I love it.” And I can’t help but agree.  Love it or hate it, To Live Forever (For a While) demands you confront Hirst’s art and form your own opinion.

Monica Belot is a writer, researcher, strategist and adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she teaches in the Strategic Design & Management Program. Splitting her time between NYC and Mexico City, where she resides with her naughty silver labrador puppy Atlas, Monica writes about topics spanning everything from the human experience to travel and design research. Follow her varied scribbles on Medium at https://medium.com/@monicabelot.

The post What to expect from ‘bad boy’ Damien Hirst’s Mexico City retrospective appeared first on Mexico News Daily

Sent by French Emperor Napoleon III, the French troops are here to collect a debt — by taking Mexico as a colony. Mexico’s president, Benito Juarez, has suspended all payments to foreign countries, leaving accounts with France in the red. The two-year freeze is a measure to alleviate the financial strain faced by Mexico due to the country’s ongoing civil “Reform” War being fought between liberal and conservative factions within the country. It is also a move meant to stabilize the country and increase Mexican sovereignty by reducing the foreign intervention of European creditors who had lent Mexico money. 

An Unlikely Victory

The battle lasts all of three hours. When the smoke clears, the unlikely winners emerge. The French have surrendered and are routed after suffering casualties of nearly 500 men. The victorious Mexican underdogs, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, have lost less than 100. 

The Mexicans have won this battle, but will ultimately lose the war. One year later in 1863, the French would return and recapture Mexico, with their reign lasting for several years. But for this Cinco de Mayo battle, the Mexicans are victorious. 

Fast forward to today. Somehow victory at Puebla, which had meant relatively little in the grand scheme of Mexico’s turbulent history, has become a nation-wide celebration… in a foreign country. 

An American Celebration

North of the border, on May 5th of each year, festivities in the United States celebrating Cinco de Mayo commence, drawing partygoers of all backgrounds into celebrations filled with guacamole, tacos, sombreros, mariachi music and endless margaritas. Mexican restaurants throughout the country find themselves packed with revelers taking part in city-wide celebrations, parades, festivals and events in over 500 US cities.

So how did this minor battle victory become such a nationwide Mexican celebration… outside of Mexico?

Historical Significance and Symbolism

The victory became symbolic for U.S. based Latinos, with obvious parallels to the Civil War, the Chicano movement and a broader push toward democracy and against oppression.

In 1862, the United States was facing its own internal Civil War. The defeat of the French on Cinco de Mayo was a blow to the Confederates, who had counted on their French ally’s support from neighboring Mexico.  

Instead, leveraging the unforeseen defeat of the French, Mexicans in the western United States used the victory to rally together to support the Union army and Mexico’s efforts to battle continued French invasion. The community — uniting under both Mexican and U.S. flags — formed “juntas patrióticas mexicanas” (patriotic Mexican groups), which provided financial and political support, along with army recruits for the two causes. The juntas continued to support Mexican immigrants and Latino communities in the United States following the Civil War. 

The 1862 battle gained symbolic prominence among Latin-American communities over the years in their struggles against racism and inequality. During the 1960s and 1970s Chicano Movement — during which Latino communities fought against discrimination and for equal rights — activists evoked the victorious Cinco de Mayo battle as a metaphor for overcoming white oppression.

Cultural Identity and Commercialization 

The meaning of the Cinco de Mayo Battle of Puebla has continued to evolve among Latino communities in the United States as a proud celebration of Mexican cultural heritage and history. More recently it appears that the day has become incorrectly known by many in the States as Mexico’s Independence Day (actually the 16th of September) — a day in which the people of Mexico began a lengthy revolt against Spanish rule in 1810, under the leadership of Mexican priest Miguel Hidalgo. 

Since the 1980’s, the holiday has also been leveraged commercially by businesses and brands, nurtured strategically in part by alcohol companies implementing Cinco de Mayo marketing campaigns and limited edition products around the holiday. Mexican restaurants partake in the celebratory atmosphere often hosting Cinco de Mayo events offering Mexican-themed music, cocktails and foods. 

Preservation, Tradition and Recognition

In Puebla, the location of the original Cinco de Mayo victory, events commemorating the battle take place. But ultimately, the widest expressions of this holiday are owned by proud Latino communities in the U.S., celebrating their rich cultural heritage, the achievements of Latinos, and the interconnectedness of Mexican and United States history.

For an authentic flair during the holiday, indulge in some local fare from Puebla, including molé Poblano and Pulque, a traditional Mexican alcoholic beverage made from the fermented sap of the agave plant.

What are your favorite ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo?

The post More than margaritas: The history and spread of Cinco de Mayo in the US appeared first on Mexico News Daily

Every season is a good season in Mexico City: the summers are never too hot, and the winters are never too cold. The city is stunning to behold at any moment, and there’s always something to see and do. Nevertheless, there are several pockets of the year where the weather will make you blow a chef’s kiss and hordes of taco-hungry tourists can be avoided. 

Whether you prefer a warm saunter in the sun through the Historic Center, a lush drizzle in Condesa or a chilly stroll along Avenida Masaryk in Polanco, Mexico City offers a range of atmospheric options that cater to anyone’s taste.

Join us as we explore the seasons of Mexico City, identify optimal time ranges, break down the vibe you can expect each month and suggest corresponding events and activities in the city.

When should I visit?

With mild winters and rainy summers, Mexico City boasts a subtropical highland climate, characterized by temperate weather and average temperatures ranging from 14°C in winter to 20°C in summer. Unlike many destinations, extreme weather is a rarity here, with mild winters, warm springs and rainy summers ensuring a comfortable experience for visitors throughout the year.

Most people agree that the best time frame to visit the city is from March to May. This period features beautiful weather, with highs around 34°C (mid to high 93ºFs), dry conditions and moderate temperatures. Though this season can sometimes draw more crowds, the stunning climate makes it worth the visit.

June to August and December to February are the most optimal times for budget breaks. Many of the best hotels in Mexico City offer rates as low as US $90 a night in these months.

From June to early September, Mexico City experiences its rainy season, with an average of 20 rainy days per month. Despite the rain, the city’s lush, poetic beauty shines through, with reduced air pollution, less tourist crowding and ample indoor activities available for travelers. 

December to April marks the dry season in Mexico City. Smog levels may increase during this time, so travelers with respiratory issues should take precautions, but overall, the weather remains pleasant for exploration.

The summer months, Dia de los Muertos, and Christmas tend to draw the largest crowds to Mexico City. September to November sees the highest tourist traffic, while December to February and June to August are relatively less crowded.

The month-by-month breakdown

Winter

January sets the stage with its dry, mild weather, offering temperatures mostly above 15 degrees Celcius (60 F) during the day. However, nights can get chilly, so it’s wise to layer up: keep in mind that most homes in Mexico City have no central heating. This month kicks off with the lively celebrations of Three Kings’ Day on January 6, marked by vibrant parades and festivities.

As February unfolds, the city begins to transform with the annual blossoming of its iconic purple jacaranda trees. This month also hosts two major art fairs, Zona Maco and Material, drawing art enthusiasts from around the world. Additionally, the fifth day of the month is Constitution Day, celebrated with parades and events throughout the city.

Spring

March brings warmer temperatures and a buzz of cultural activity. Music festivals like Vive Latino and the Festival de México take center stage, offering a diverse array of performances. Notably, the end of March sees the spring equinox celebrated at the majestic pyramids of Teotihuacán, attracting crowds to absorb the energy of this magical event. March is also where you’ll start to see the Jacaranda trees bloom, adding a dimension of purple leafiness to the city.

April heralds beautiful weather and really feels like the arrival of spring. With Holy Week celebrations in full swing, the city comes alive with processions and church-related events. Visitors can also immerse themselves in the exquisite floral displays at the Festival De Flores y Jardines, held at the Botanical Garden at Chapultepec and in neighboring Polanco.

May marks the hottest month of the year in Mexico City. While Cinco de Mayo isn’t a significant event here, the Corredor Cultural Roma Condesa offers curated tours and festivities, showcasing the design, gastronomy, and art of these chic neighborhoods.

Summer

June ushers in warmer temperatures, accompanied by mild evenings. However, it also means the start of the rainy season, bringing occasional showers. Despite the rain, the city celebrates diversity and inclusion with its vibrant Pride parade, one of the largest in Latin America.

July may be the wettest month, but it doesn’t dampen the spirit of Mexico City. While light showers may grace the mornings and early evenings, the city hosts the Feria de Las Flores in San Angel, a delightful flower festival featuring displays, tours and celebrations.

August brings relief from the smog with occasional showers that cool off the city. Despite the rain, there’s no shortage of indoor activities to enjoy, including the popular Festival Raices Cubanas, a music festival showcasing international artists.

Autumn

September offers pleasant weather as temperatures begin to cool off. The month culminates in Independence Day on the 16, celebrated with military parades, fireworks and the iconic Grito de Dolores, which the President reenacts from the balcony of the National Palace every year.

October is a festive and bustling time in Mexico City, with celebrations for Día de la Raza and the commencement of Dia de Los Muertos festivities at the end of the month. The month also features the colorful alebrije parade, setting the stage for the upcoming Day of the Dead celebrations.

Winter (again)

November sees the city adorned in festive decorations as Day of the Dead and Revolution Day festivities unfold. Music enthusiasts can enjoy the Corona Capital music festival, while Formula 1 racing adds excitement. While most other publications may contend that the best time to visit is between March and May, I’ll go out on a limb here and say I prefer November for the festivities. 

December wraps up the year with a festive ambiance and chilly temperatures. Many families often travel out of town for the holidays, and you’ll see restaurants and stores close around the holidays. Visitors can still enjoy Christmas posadas from Dec. 15 to 24, as well as the enchanting holiday lights hung throughout the city. The Zócalo even features an ice skating rink, adding to the seasonal charm. 

Mexico City is a year-round destination that offers something for everyone, no matter the time of choice. Whether you’re seeking a budget-friendly escape during the summer rainy season or a chance to immerse yourself in the city’s rich history and traditions, Mexico City welcomes travelers with open arms. Its mild climate, world-class culinary scene and endless array of attractions make it a truly captivating destination — one that beckons to be explored time and time again.

Monica Belot is a writer, researcher, strategist and adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she teaches in the Strategic Design & Management Program. Splitting her time between NYC and Mexico City, where she resides with her naughty silver labrador puppy Atlas, Monica writes about topics spanning everything from the human experience to travel and design research. Follow her varied scribbles on Medium at https://medium.com/@monicabelot.

The post When is the best time to visit Mexico City? appeared first on Mexico News Daily

From the bustling streets of the capital, we bring you a survey of the crème de la crème of the Mexico City taco scene. We’ve sampled a wide spectrum of famous haunts to hidden gems, casting our net across the hundreds of varied vendors to bring you a curated roundup of the city’s taco treasures.

Whether you crave the classics or seek to explore the bold and new, we’ve got you covered. Read on for our take on the nine best taco spots in CDMX. 

The (unofficial) best tacos in Mexico City

Tacos Hola El Güero (Condesa)

I’m hesitant to share this one since it’s my regular lunch spot and already quite buzzy, but it is more than well-deserving of an accolade. Tacos Hola sits squarely in the heart of Avenida Amsterdam in Condesa (and squarely in my heart), and offers a selection of consistently mouthwatering tacos de guisado (stew tacos) with fillings ranging from varieties of meat to vegetarian offerings cooked and sauced in ways one can only dream of. My go-to’s are the Chicken Tinga and Rajas (strips of peppers, potato, and onions) tacos, topped with beans and guacamole. Don’t forget to spoon over El Güero’s proprietary blend of fresh radish, onion, and jalapeño in a vinegary sauce.

Taqueria Selene (Anzures)

Those in the know are obsessed with Selene, and it’s easy to understand why. A beloved neighborhood favorite since 1964, it’s evident that this welcoming, family-run restaurant takes great care with every dish. Locals are enamored with Selene’s juicy and flavorful Al Pastor tacos, which are widely considered the best in the city. These tacos feature generous heaps of marinated pork, caramelized onions and pineapple, and plenty of cheese, all balanced with the perfect ratio of a blend of sweet, salty, tangy, and buttery flavors. Personally, my mouth waters for their gringa beef rib taco, similar to a quesadilla but with an incredible crispy texture. Order a side of guacamole and be sure to add it to every dish, along with their flavorful authentic salsa roja. 

Cariñito Tacos (Rome Norte)

At Cariñito, tradition meets innovation with a Southeast Asian-inspired menu offered in a classic Mexican-style street taqueria setting. Creatively plated on dried corn husks, each taco serves up a burst of complex flavors mixed with tangy sauces and unique oriental spices. You can’t go wrong with anything you opt for here, but my favorites include the Laos Eggplant taco topped with a handful of fresh herbs, and the Cochinita Thai taco, with its perfect soft pork belly-to-hoisin sauce ratio, complemented with crisp Asian cucumber salad. Whether patrons are taco aficionados or just looking to try something new, Cariñito offers a flavorful adventure that’s anything but ordinary.

Autentico Pato Manila (Polanco, Roma, Hipódromo)

Autentico Pato Manila offers only one main ingredient: duck. And it is exceptional. I was so taken with their duck tacos on my first visit that I returned the very next day for another round. Offering small portions perfect for a light meal or snack, Autentico expertly blends the flavors and styles of Mexico and the Philippines into a refreshingly concise menu featuring just four items, and a garnish of five different types of sauces. For those eager to sample a bit of everything, half-orders are also available. My personal favorite is the tacos Kim, showcasing baked duck with hand-made flour tortillas and plum sauce. The combination of sweet and spicy flavors in all of their dishes is beautifully balanced, with crisp fresh cucumber accents to round them off. 

Siembra Taqueria (Polanco)

Offering a menu of classics with a gourmet twist, the food at Siembra Taqueria is undeniably delicious, earning it a reputation as a Polanco standout. The neighborhood spot is renowned for favorites like the Gaona with cheese tacos (my choice) and succulent fish pastor, all served on delectable blue corn tortillas from the eatery’s mill, topped with fresh onions and cilantro for a burst of flavor in every bite. Be sure to try the standout Fideo seco con tuétano, featuring dried noodles with bone marrow. With its inviting atmosphere and intimate outdoor seating, Siembra offers a delightful dining experience. And (you didn’t hear it from me) it’s rumored that their tuna tostada is whispered to rival even Contramar’s famed version. But let’s keep that between us, shall we?

Taqueria Orinoco (Locations throughout the city)

Taqueria Orinoco has been likened to the “In and Out Burger” of Mexico City – and with their bright red branding, hype, and pared-down menu, I can see why. The chain restaurant is admittedly quite touristy, but worth checking out (even if only to throw your opinion in during debates on the Mexico City food scene with friends). Best for late nights as it’s open until at least 3:30 am, the classic spot draws in crowds for a good reason. Their Trompo (Al Pastor) tacos are spectacular, as are the beef tacos. A sure crowd-pleaser is the taco de chicharron, which is soft on the inside yet crispy on the outside, and – unusual for a taqueria – they offer a side of tasty smashed potatoes to dip into the many salsa options they provide. 

El Turix (Polanco) 

Upon approaching El Turix, the first thing you’ll notice is the euphoric faces of noshers filling their mouths with tacos on the curb outside of this tiny, no-frills Polanco spot. Their expressions are reminiscent of painted Renaissance scenes of religious ecstasy, and the divine culprit is more often than not the cochinita pibil taco. With slow-roasted pulled pork cooked with achiote paste and citrus adobo, cochinita is the main specialty of this Yucatan-style kitchen. There are no tables or chairs here, but that doesn’t matter because you’ll be ripping into your order the moment after it touches your outstretched hand. Seating be damned. Spicy, juicy, and flavorful, every bite feels like a mouth fiesta at this eatery.

Los Guiris (Condesa) 

A trendy newcomer to the scene, Los Guiris is a hidden treasure. This modest setup with exquisite food operates from a window of the kitchen of Felina bar and offers wines for pairing in a casual outdoor table setting. Los Guiris chef Alexander Suastegui whips up a short selection of six experimental taco dishes with ingredients that take you from the chinampas of Xochimilco to the coast. While every option is outstanding, my favorite is the Chen Kai- Korean-style fried chicken served on a roti-esque tortilla. The runner-up is the deeply flavorful Shrimp taco on a Costa crust of cheese. I couldn’t tell you what they put in that taco sauce, but it had me surreptitiously licking my fingers, grieving over the final bite. 

Taqueria Gabriel (Zona Rosa)

In a welcoming locale nearly as lively as its neighborhood surroundings, Taqueria Gabriel is the definition of near-perfection when it comes to their taco offerings. Their street-style tacos are slightly smaller than usual, neatly folded to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. Made with fresh handmade corn tortillas and the ideal balance of protein, cheese, garnishes, and salsas, these tacos are a delight. The shrimp tacos are my favorite, along with the carne asada and mushroom tacos, but anything you order will be a treat to the senses. For an extra layer of texture, order your tacos “volcanes” style, featuring a crispy fried corn tortilla exterior topped with melted cheese, and wash it down with one of the spot’s famed mezcal margaritas.

Honorable Mentions: Tizne Tacomotora (Roma & Del Valle), El Rey Del Pavo (Centro), El Vilsito (Narvarte Poniente), Por Siempre Vegana Taquería (Roma Norte), Don Guero (Cuahtemoc), Molino El Pujol (Condesa), El Habanerito (Roma Norte, Narvarte), Taqueria El Greco (Condesa)

While we’ve highlighted nine delicious spots, it’s impossible to list all the amazing options that exist. Let us know your best Mexico City taco spots in the comments below.

Monica Belot is a writer, researcher, strategist and adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she teaches in the Strategic Design & Management Program. Splitting her time between NYC and Mexico City, where she resides with her naughty silver labrador puppy Atlas, Monica writes about topics spanning everything from the human experience to travel and design research. Follow her varied scribbles on Medium at https://medium.com/@monicabelot.

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