Comida Tapatia: Posole

 Every culture, it seems, has their own version of the ultimate comfort food - chicken soup. And usually several. There's just something serenely reassuring about it, the warm protein warding off illnesses and troubles of every kind.

Well, the local version is called posole, or pozole. Made with chicken or pork, broth, and hominy - treated corn kernels.

Posole can be made with red sauce, green sauce, or neither.

The usual Mexican accoutrements - lime, avocado, radish, shredded lettuce, tostados, chili etc.can also be added to taste.

Highly recommended.

So Now What?

Despite all the hoopla about sweeping changes to the US-Mexico relationship, these things don't happen overnight. Among other things, the economic ties are so

Simply in terms of visas, there are a few roadblocks to 'stopping all the Mexicans':

- Most illegal immigrants don't cross the border covertly at all. They simply overstay their visas.

- Visa and immigration policy is set by Congress. Visa policy - at least as it relates to qualifying for a tourist visa - is essentially uniform around the world.

- Consular decisions are non-reviewable. They cannot be overturned by anyone. Of course, someone could always manually issue or deny a visa, but that's not a practical course of action for millions of visas.

The Foreign Service on Screen: Por Mis Pistoles

Cantinflas is a beloved character in Mexican culture. Born Mario Moreno, this Mexican comic actor created Cantinflas as a fast-talking man of the people who could glib his way into or out of any situation. In his heyday he was known as the 'Charlie Chaplin of Mexico.'

In one of his more memorable scenes, the lovable Cantinflas has to cross the border into the US. Oh, how little things have changed:

Excursion Tour: Antigua, Guatemala

As marvelous as Mexico is, it's not the only place to visit.

A mere 2 1/2 hour flight away is Antigua, the relentlessly charming former capital of Guatemala.  Formerly known as Santiago, it was destroyed by a series of earthquakes and the government decided to move about an hour down the road and construct what is now Guatemala City.

Now, Antigua is a UNESCO heritage site and a beautifully restored colonial jewel of a city.  It has fine restaurants, cobblestoned streets, churches, plazas, and a scenic overlook on a hill called Cerro de la Cruz:

Highly recommended.

Can it be....?

If only.

To Yell with Mexico

 Despite a common misconception, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day. That would be September 16, anniversary of 'The Cry of Dolores', the announcement of the Mexican independence revolution against Spain.

The Cry ('El Grito') was delivered in the town of Dolores, Guanajuato, by a Catholic priest named Miguel Hidalgo de Costilla. Although, no historian is exactly sure what Hidalgo said as no records were kept.

To commemorate this historic event, at around 11PM the night before Mexicans gather in their local plazas and yell patriotic things. Viva Mexico! Viva la Republica! Viva independencia! are popular.  There are fireworks and a fair amount of drinking, like all good national festivals,

Guide to Guadalajara: La Catedral

 The Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady - or, more simply the Guadalajara Cathedral - is the symbol and centerpiece of the city. It is depicted on innumerable postcards, paintings, tourist advertisements, and even appears in outline on the city's taxicabs.

Built in the Spanish Renaissance style, the cathedral has existed in various forms since 1541. The larger structure was completed in 1618 but was heavily damaged by an earthquake in the early 19th century. Famed architect Manuel Gomez Ibarra was hired for the rebuilding and created the cathedral as we know it today.

The basilica easily dominates the skyline of the Centro Historico, acting as a convenient nexus or landmark for the surrounding historic buildings. The interior is highly ornate and the surrounding courtyards are a pleasant place to contemplate life and the Eternal.

Do your best to dodge the priests spraying passers-by with holy water on your way in.