Usually begin the festivities and eating together in Mexico even until midnight, after visiting the fair at night “Misa de Gallo”. Will be celebrated at home with the family. For traditional Mexican Christmas dinner include “Romeritos” – dried shrimp in a black, moleähnlichen sauce or “Tamales”. This is a traditional Latin American dish consisting of a Maisteiggemisch, usually containing a sweet or savory filling is then cooked and wrapped in corn leaves. Tamales are the way, not only at Christmas but all year through a widely popular dish. Meanwhile, the turkey is also – according to the American model – for many families at the Christmas table. Drunk “ponche” or “con Piquete ponche” – a punch like drink with or without a “shot”.

Besides, the distribution of gifts on Christmas Eve in Mexico is relatively uncommon. The children get their toys until January – and that at Epiphany

The Christmas Day will be celebrated rather quietly. They meet with the family or with friends. And 26 December, then again all over: this day is no longer an official holiday and it goes back to normal everyday on.

In this sense, we wish you all a merry Christmas with your loved ones! Feliz Navidad! In January you will be the last part of our Christmas series, learn more about the Epiphany.

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All the greater is the joy over the upcoming papal visit. As the pontiff in the church service in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe on 12 December announced he wants to start his trip to Mexico already in spring 2012. This trip would be the first visit of Pope Benedict XVI since his election in 5 ½ years. Of the Latin American countries, the head of the Catholic Church had previously visited Brazil only.

Which places Benedict XVI. wants to visit with its taking place in just three months trip to Mexico is not yet known. A visit to the capital, Mexico City is excluded due to the altitude. Observers believe a visit connected with a church service at the Basilica of “Nuestra Senora la Virgen del Camino” by Leon as probable.

After the exhibition of the relics to the late and revered Pope John Paul II is now also the reigning pontiff's visit is a sign of peace and hope for the 100 million faithful in Mexico be .

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Native to this popular Christmas decoration is actually here in Mexico, which the Mexicans are truly proud of! It was not until 1800, the plant found its way to Europe, as the naturalist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt from a trip to America brought home.

According to legend, a poor little girl from Mexico on Christmas Eve was on her way to church, to look at the crib. Since it had not, however, the only gift for the Christ child be picked along the way there yet a few grasses and quickly put them to shame in the crib. But suddenly, the leaves were turning bright red of the grass and the weeds was a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Henceforth called these flowers “flores de noche buena” – “Flower of the Holy Night”.

Christmas

Although it is rare in Mexican homes for Christmas wreaths on the tables, but a lavishly decorated Christmas tree may not be missing in this country! Already in early December are the most artificial fir trees dusted and decorated with the motto “more is more” complicated and imaginative. Since growth in Mexico itself, due to the mild climate, no pine trees, they are imported from the USA and Canada. In this fun, many families give up expensive real fir and give therefore satisfied with an artificial copy. Incidentally, needles were determined here also real Christmas trees is not much! Since only very few houses in Mexico have a heating system that could quickly dry out the trees, one would have to worry about making schonmal …

Crib

Even the custom of the Christmas nativity scene is widespread in Mexico and even the actual Mexican Christmas tradition! One finds the crib, especially in department stores and public places and streets, are often represented by each funding even entire landscapes! Smaller nativity decorate the home course. And true to the tradition here, too many put the Christ child in the first Christmas night in the crib. Did you know that the greatest scenes in the world this year is in Mexico? They can be admired in the parking lot of the Aztec Stadium in Mexico City! More than 1,000 life-size sculptures decorate the square, nestled in a desert landscape. Until 15 January 2012 you can experience this unique event live. Ask us, we will be happy to Guelph!

How to celebrating Christmas Eve and Christmas food in Mexico and what it actually is and to drink, you will learn in the next part of our Christmas series! You should be excited!

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Course there are many differences and many traditions that we want to introduce you in our new blog series “Christmas in Mexico” closer. Up to Christmas there are regular at our article about the Mexican Christmas season, traditional customs, holidays and even culinary course.

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The Advent

The Mexican Christmas tradition is not only Christian in origin. Already many centuries before the Spanish conquest was celebrated every year in December, the arrival of the god Huitzilopochtli. This tradition was then used by the Spanish priests so clever to anchor their own custom estates in the Mexican culture. Since 1578, festivities have been the original with Mary and Joseph joined the search for a hostel.

Christmas markets, cookies and mulled wine are sought in Mexico but in vain, but there are other great traditions that are an indispensable part of Christmas. Today we would like to present the most important ones:

Pastorela

Nine days before Christmas will be held the so-called Pastorelas. A pastorela is an expressive folk theater that focuses on the showdown between good and evil. The seven devils, symbolized by the seven deadly sins in the play wrestle with the good – the Archangel Gabriel. Through all kinds of tricks to try the seven devils to seduce the shepherds to their respective vices, thus dissuade them from the right path. But in the end good triumphs over evil and the shepherds go to Bethlehem ultimately there to pay homage to the newborn baby Jesus.

Posada

But much more than public performances to celebrate the private Posadas. In the circle of family, friends and colleagues here the search for shelter by Mary and Joseph is enacted. Two people dressed as Mary and Joseph knock here twice in the front door and ask for intake. The first two times will be rejected her request and only at the third call they will be granted admission. With Mary and Joseph, then the other guests are also invited in and start the Mexican Fiesta can. Traditionally Ponche, drinking a beverage made from apples, quinces and sugar cane and buñuelos, sweet fritters served for snacking.

Piñata

Main attraction at the Posadas are – especially for children-the piñatas. These home-made out of cardboard and crepe paper coated with figures come in all shapes and all sorts of shapes. Whether donkey, or any star cartoon characters – with the piñatas of the imagination is the limit is set. Filled with sweets and fruit, the piñata on a rope attached to the ceiling and swung back and forth. Blindfolded and armed with a stick can now beat a child after the other on the figure until the vessel finally breaks. If the broken piñata plunge once all children with a big Hello to the sweets. Even among adults, the piñata is a popular party fun!

Christmas vacation in Mexico

Are hardly any other country in the ancient rituals of indigenous peoples and traditional Catholic practice Hallows woven together here as in Mexico. Would you also like to once an unforgettable Christmas celebration in the land of the Maya and Aztecs experience then please contact us. We welcome your inquiry!

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Entwine about the origin of the name are still many legends. Some say he came from the French, others incline toward the indigenous roots.

Unlike the stationary structures of the world cultural heritage, is designated as intangible cultural heritage is not touchable cultural heritage. Here the living traditions take center stage.

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From theory to practice

Regardless of whether one has chosen for his holiday in Spain or Mexico – in both countries can be strong during a leave of the mother tongue. Both trips allow participants, both in theory and in practice to learn Spanish and use. Finally, one might be able to apply what they have learned in everyday life and that is why the language classes also include cultural activities, to the traditions and customs of each culture better acquainted. There is also the possibility of entertaining dancing and singing to participate, eventually the Spanish lessons to be fun.

Mexico experience

If you opt for a language course in Mexico would, of course not only mastered the language of the country, but also learn about the diversity of the region. From smoking volcanoes and tropical beaches to vast deserts and humid jungles, there are certainly more to discover than just tequila and tacos. Rich in traditions and rituals is the cultural heritage of Mexico is firmly anchored in the landscape. In many places are still some very well-preserved monuments of the ancient civilizations of the country – witness – the Maya and Aztecs. Anyone who takes a day or more time to explore the sights of his Spanish was simply time to apply directly.

The entry requirements

Before you go to Mexico, must be met for a few entry requirements. Firstly, participants need German, Austrian or Swiss nationality a valid passport at least six months. The corresponding FMT tourist card is obtained, however, only when entering or in the aircraft. From this point on, you have the right to maximum 90 days stay in the country. If you want to stay longer in Mexico, can be extended to permit on-site in large cities like Mexico City or Cancun at the Instituto Nacional de Migración. However, it is not always automatically guarantee that this will be approved. Alternatively you could just travel to a neighboring country and then enter back into Mexico – with a new residence permit for 90 days.

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Looking back, however, to the ten-year period of the revolution, the years 1910 – 1920, it quickly, then it was not really something to celebrate. The sad outcome of the bloody Civil War: 2 million dead and an economy, the worse it would not be able to go.

Cause of the uprising was the unspeakable policy of the dictator Porfirio Díaz, the reigning president, who was elected in 1876 as president. Although Díaz led Mexico into the industrial age, but the country suffered under his leadership under extreme domestic problems: opposition parties, free elections and free press was abolished, farmers have been cheated out of their country.

In 1910, was finally by Francisco Madero – proclaimed the revolution, which by changing political interests of various leaders was coined – the leader of liberal opposition groups:

Madero Emiliano Zapata was compared with his famous call for “land and liberty” – the beginning of Zapatistenbewegung. Shortly after Victoriano Huerta came into power – the political situation worsened, however, only continued. With Venustiano Carranza, Pancho Villa, Alvaro Obregon are three revolutionary leaders eventually joined together to fight against Huerta, who was defeated in the end. But then broke out of a renewed war between the three winners, the Carranza won. Simultaneously, the Zapatistas called for further improvements, for which Carranza had Zapata assassinated,. Short time later, Carranza was also killed – on Obregon command,

In 1920 finally new Mexican President Alvaro Obregon and devoted himself to the National Reconstruction – the period of the revolution was ended officially

And one more thing to smile: because of the anniversary of the revolution falls on a Sunday this year, the Mexicans have – to take advantage of the open day can – just the holiday on the following Monday apportioned

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Also visit during your trip two other famous villas – Finca Finca Irlanda and either San Francisco or Finca la Chiripa. Look at the workers on site over the shoulder and look at the coffee production up close

Rounding

Your stay in Chiapas with a visit to the archaeological site of Izapa. Izapa, with its large stone slabs, which are the descendants of the Olmec deities regarded as a major link between the Olmecs and the Mayans.

If you are now curious about our coffee route and want to try even once like a hot cup of coffee directly from the producer: Contact us, we are happy to help! The detailed itinerary with all the important information about this new travel module you will find, as always, on our home page

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But the Mexican jungle is home to far more symbolic animals. As the local Ministry of Environment recently announced with pride to live in the southern jungle area Selva Lancadona 119 endangered jaguars. The main habitat of the wild cat is originally in the Amazonian rain forest, extending also to Central America, and thus in the southern areas of Mexico. That this elusive big cat in the Mexican rain forest is home, thank you, especially the intact ecosystem and the continuous monitoring of the natural habitat.

To protect the rain forest from deforestation, the Mexican government was already in the 70 years the ownership of large swathes of land to the indigenous population. It is still a big part of the Natural Park Montes Azules in Chiapas state, home ownership and vested the Lacandon Maya. Many famous Mayan ruins, such as Bonapark and Yaxchilan, with their location in the lush, evergreen vegetation of the rainforest and its magnificent architecture, majestic witnesses of the ancient culture. Do you want to miss this exotic spectacle of nature and can not learn about the customs and lifestyles of indigenous peoples? With us you can walk in the paths of ancient civilizations! Sit down with us. We welcome your inquiry!

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glad to

To those who have died for this special day to welcome home, altars are built and decorated with pictures of the dead, yellow marigolds and candles. And the best: eating and drinking will be placed on the altar, because it is believed that the spirits are hungry and thirsty after their long journey of the dead in the present.

What may be missing on that day in any case, on the altars, the “Pan de Muertos” – the Mexican Bread of the Dead. As part of our series “Buen Provecho México” and time for Día de los Muertos 2011, you can now find the following recipe for this delicious sweet pasta nachzubacken:

Ingredients

1kg flour

200g sugar

50g milk powder

Salt 20g

1 grated lemon rind

1 grated orange peel

5ml Oragenblütenessenz

5ml lemon flower essence

7 eggs

20g yeast

150g butter

150g margarine

Preparation

Mix the flour with the yeast and then press the mixture into a tray, get into the other ingredients. Mix everything well with your hands until you have a smooth mass.

The dough in a warm place and let stand for 30 minutes. Then put the dough in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

If the past two hours, take the dough from the refrigerator, put some of it aside to rest and form the loaves. From the dough before you form now separate “bone” and press the cross-like on the loaves. Then let it all again left for one hour in a warm place.

Finally, the loaves are baked at 200 ° C for 15 to 20 minutes.

After the “Pan de Muertos” comes from the oven, it is brushed with melted butter and sugar.

Buenos Dias Mexico wants buen provecho

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