The city of Guadalajara has been epicenter of most of the celebrations held in this year. There are various reasons why this happens here and not in the city capitol, Mexico city.

Miguel Hidalgo, father of the independence of Mexico, came to Guadalajara and emitted the slavery abolition for Mexico. The witness venue was the current Governor's Palace, where, in memory of such deed, the muralist Jose Clemente Orozco painted a magnificent fresco of Hidalgo fighting against slavery.

It was on the 29th of November of 1810 when this happened. A great day to be remembered but somehow it has been an under rated date among the important ones in the history of Mexico. 

The fresco you can appreciate in the Governor's Palace is one of the most important art pieces in the whole country.

Jose Clemente Orozco, the painter of this great art work, was born in Ciudad Guzman and he is got world wide recognition among the artists.

If you are in Guadalajara or you are visiting soon, do not miss the chance to get into the Governor's Palace to appreciate the two murals by this great painter.

As part of the celebrations of the Bicentenary of the Independence and the Centenary of the Mexican Revolution, the famous French teathre/puppet group Royal de Luxe is presenting an extraordinary show in the most important spots of Guadalajara.

This is the first time it is presented in Mexico and we are proudly chosen as the host city! The main characters are 'The Peasant', 'The giant girl' and 'Xolo, the dog'. They will tell the story surrounding the revolution times.

This giant guys will be 'alive' during 6 days in the city centre of Guadalajara! From the 23rd to the 28th of November!

Do not miss this international event!

Mexico is a huge country in which you can spend all your life traveling it without finishing! Really!

One of the top destinations in Mexico is the worldwide famous 'Riviera Maya' in the Caribbean Sea! This famous spot will be hosting one of the most important jazz festivals in the entire world: The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival.

This is the fourth edition of this festival, gaining strength year by year.

Mexico is also well know for its diversity in music styles and Jazz is not the exception!

This year starting on November the 25th and going all the way through November the 28th, this jazz festival will have amazing performers such as Mike Stern, Al Di Meola, George Duke, Jonh MacLaughlin, The Manhattan Transfer, Dave Weckl, Troker, and other great performers.

So if you are planning a trip to the south of Mexico and you love jazz, this is a must for the lovers of the odd music tempos and improvisation! 

The time is near and the celebrations in Mexico are everywhere. Why is this? The reason is the 100th Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution.

A big parade will take place in Guadalajara, probably the biggest one ever seen in this date.

For quite a lot of people the Revolution had a lot of advantages for the country. For the majority of people it was a war that had no reason to be, bringing more poverty and less development to the country.

We have two interesting faces in this period: A president who lasted more than 30 years converting a democracy into a dictatorship but at the same time he was the president who brought more development to the country allowing foreign investment act in the country. New highways, rail system, telegraph and the appearance of a vast film industry were only a few of the highlights of president Porfirio Diaz.

Being defeated by the social groups demanding a new democracy, Diaz escaped to Paris.

Having a reason to celebrate or not, this 20th of November there will be loads of activities to appreciate in the city, and it is always worth taking part of it.

Come to Mexico…its culture, history, people and landscapes will be waiting for you. 

Football is a big tradition in Mexico and some of the biggest stadiums are right here. In Guadalajara, we are lucky to have the second largest football stadium of the country…Estadio Jalisco which, in fact, has been two times world cup stadium: Mexico '70 and Mexico '86.

This stadium was home of the most traditional team in Mexico…'Chivas', a team that moved out to a different stadium in the outskirts of Guadalajara. Nevertheless, this stadium is home of the 2nd Division Team of the University of Guadalara.

Last Friday, staff and volunteers gathered to enjoy of a great game in which the atmosphere in the stadium tends to be the main attraction. The local team won 3-1 so the crowd was really happy!

It was a fun night in which volunteers had the chance to visit one of the most important buildings in the city!

The University of Guadalajara team is doing great in the 2nd Division league, the student atmosphere in the stadium is great...you can see all the people singing and really enjoying their time whilst supporting their team!

Looking forward to having our next gathering!

Any visitor arriving into Guadalajara or any other part of the country can feel that celebrations due to the Revolution Anniversary are closer and closer.

We are leaving skeletons behind to welcome the revolutionary images such as sombreros, big mustaches and weapons! The Revolution era marked the ending of the progress that President Porfirio Diaz started. Diaz started it but also caused the ending of it. 

The celebration of the Bicentenary of the Independence and the centenary of the Revolution has been a huge success in Mexico and that is for sure you will be able to see loads of stuff going on during November. 

Stay tuned if you want to know a little bit more about the Revolution time in Mexico! 

Probably you have heard about the word 'Sombrero'! Have you? yes? no? Well, this word is commonly related to Mexico.

The myth: People from Mexico wear those big sombreros on a daily basis.
The truth: People from Mexico worn those big sombreros before and during the revolution time only!

After the Mexican Revolution finished, Mexico presented a way of development in which other costumes were introduced into the country. Foreign influence played an important role in stopping the habit to wearing sombreros.

Curious facts:
-Some people say that sombreros were used also to carry food and other objects when they needed to walk long journeys.
-The word 'sombrero' comes from the word 'sombra' which means 'shadow'.

Do not be surprised if you find a 'Sombreroless' Mexico in your first visit!

Was kann einem schoeneres passieren, als die Arbeitsstelle nach 8.5 Jahren zu kuendigen und sich auf eine 4 monatige Reise zu begeben?

Ja, mein Abenteuer startete voellig unkonventionell unvorbereitet und erwartungslos anfangs Oktober 2010. Mit gemischten Gefuehlen und dem Trennungsschmerz der Familie und der Arbeitsstelle wurde ich in Guadalajara am Flughafen durch Projects Abroad abgeholt und zu meiner Gastfamilie gebracht, bei welcher ich 1 Monat lang waehrend meines Einsatzes im Waisenheim wohnen durfte.

Bild von mir und der Familie

Unglaublich, welche Eindruecke bereits in den ersten Tagen auf einen einprasseln. Da meine Familie am oestlichen Stadtrand wohnte, bestand mein Arbeitsweg sowie der Weg in das Stadtzentrum aus einer halbstuendigen Busfahrt und der Metro.

Als Schweizerin durfte ich schnell lernen, dass die sagenumwobene Puenktlichkeit in den mexikanischen Gefielden etwas anders verstanden wird. Die Buse zirkulieren oft, jedoch garantiert ist es nicht. Es empfiehlt sich auch weniger eine Busfahrt nach einer ueberschwenglichen Tequila Nicht anzutreten. Die Strassen haben zum Teil solche Loecher, dass eine gute Durchmischung des Mageninhaltes garantiert wird J. Busfahren wurde eine Leidenschaft fuer mich, denn, wo schmunzelt man oefters als im Bus? Da wird geschminkt, Haehnchen geschmatzt, geplaudert, geschlafen, jedoch auch fuer Geld gesungen oder Gegenstaende verkauft.

Es kommt auch vor, dass der Busfahrer sein Abendessen besorgen muss. So wartet man halt kurz am Strassenrand bis die Tacos und die Cola gekauft sind. Fuer eine Westlerin ist das Busfahren eine erste Einladung, um Geduld und Gelassenheit zu ueben.

Ja, diese vielen Aspekte gaben mir einen ersten Eindruck in das mexikanische Leben, das ich bereits nach 1 Monat richtig ins Herz geschlossen habe. Wie waers, wenn du die Chance auch packst und dich auf das Abenteuer einlaesst mit dem Leitsatz “disfrutas la vida”?

As I mentioned before in this blog, the celebrations held for the Day of the Dead started in Mexico. Now I can tell you were amazing; colorful and solemn.

The days of party are the 1 and 2 of November. Children and infants the first day and the day of all dead on the 2nd. Apparently the Aztecs were fond of this tradition due to their beliefs on death and even before them this party is being held in the country but after the arrival of the Spanish, this tradition took a Catholic way, giving the current shape to it.

The most traditional celebrations are held in Mexico city in an area called Mixquic and the lake of Janitzio in Michoacan State. In both places you will find a tremendous amount of tradition and Cempoaxuchitl flower, also called 'Flor de Muerto'. It is a mistake trying to explain with words what you will find in this places so I want to invite you to visit this couple of interesting places so you can see it by yourself.

Making fun of death in a singular way is a tradition that will never die in Mexico. The departed ones are celebrated with offerings and happy memories that not even time will erase from our minds.

As some of you may know, November is the month in which we celebrate Death. Yes, death.

This tradition comes from the Pre-Columbian times. In Mexico, November 1 honors children and infants, whereas deceased adults are honored on November 2. This day is a day full of colour, specially in places like Janitzio Lake in the state of Michoacan.

So in Projects Abroad we arrange our little Altar de Muertos (Deads' Altar) which features sweets, drinks, photographs, candles and pictures of the honored ones. Along with the opening for the altar we offered a typical snack in the office. Right after that we arranged a trip to the oldest and most traditional graveyard in Guadalajara 'Panteon de Belen'.

During our little tour inside, they offered a few explanations of the legends remaining in the area. Really important people in Mexican history is buried in this graveyard, so besides being a haunted place, it holds a remarkable and rich history and architecture.

Do you think it is right to celebrate death? Shall we feel happy about the departure of the loved ones? Up to everybody to decide.

Thanks to all the volunteer who joined us!!!