Speaking of Mexico and the seriousness of COVID-19, a bakery in Iztapalapa, Mexico has come up with a coronavirus-like sweet bread, which they’re calling –what else?– the conchavirus. According to a very reliable source (i.e. a commenter on my Instagram feed) the genius behind this thing is Panificadora Juanito, a 30-year-old establishment which prides itself of using all natural ingredients.
Oh, did I mention the conchavirus is only $6.50 pesos? That’s… practically USD 25 cents.
Filing under “Mexicans: How can anyone not like us?”
The craziness is not limited to New York City or even the US: My brother sent me a photo (below) from a Mexico City supermarket, showing people doing exactly the same thing: Hoarding toilet-paper –except supplies seem to be abundant down there (at least for now.)
What’s with toilet paper?
I tried again one day later and this time my local bodega (PapaSito) proudly advertised that toilet paper was back, so I went in (naturally). Several rolls of toilet paper wrapped individually sat at the top of a very tall counter, one I couldn’t reach, so I asked a fellow Mexican who works there for help. Our conversation went something like this:
–Can you please pass me four of those? –I asked.
-Four? Only four? –said the man almost incredulous. –Why don’t you take more? People are coming in and getting 15-30 rolls at once…
-Because… I’m not deranged? –I replied.
My paisano cracked up upon hearing that, and then noticed I had also bought a few packs of corn tortillas.
–Well, I’d be damned if we were to run out of those! –He said pointing at my packs of Poblanitas.
I walked away thinking he was absolutely right and was happy to get back to my quarantine (not before I stopped for some other basic goods.)
My U.S. Census 2020 questionnaire is here and while I’m all game and ready to fill out and submit this thing, I will forever be puzzled by the “race” question.
See, when you reach the the “race question” while filling out the 2020 U.S. Census, you’ll get options within five racial categories (see photo below:)
White
Black or African-American
American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.
This, of course, leaves this café con leche, whitish Mexican blogger born in Mexico practically in limbo, since I’m supposed to select “white” or “some other race” to comply and be able to go to the next window. (And I’m not alone: Remember this Puerto Rican dude during the 2010 Census who was pissed (with reason) and refused to fill out his Census form, because “Hispanic” was not an option under the Race box?)
Also missing in this section are people from the Middle East and North Africa, which I suppose are supposed to do the same: Select “white” or “some other race,” which I think will make it harder to locate where there is need for local bilingual services in schools or during elections, to name a few things.
I’m personally offended because “Human” is not an option under race, so I decided to use the “Some other race –print race” space to spell out N.P.I. (Ni Pinche Idea.)
Hispanics and people from the Middle East or North Africa, back in limbo…
Iván Montemayor (aka Míster Cumbia) wants you to dance to the tune of SARS-CoV-2.
A cluster of respiratory illness, originating in the Chinese province of Hubei in December of 2019, has health officials on high alert around the world. The cause is now known to be a new coronavirus that has proven to be particularly infectious and has already claimed about 3,000 lives in a few months.
While Latin America had been free of the virus for some time, the first Mexican case was confirmed on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 coincidentally as this blogger arrived in CDMX for a quick family trip.
Mexicans in Mexico responded swiftly to the threat by –what else?– posting tons of memes while on this side of the border, Mr. Iván Montemayor (aka Míster Cumbia) composed an infectiously melodious cumbia, which is not only perfect for dancing but it’s also … educational. “Wash your hands; take care; prevention is key, etc.”
🎶 Coronavirus, coronavirus, lávense las manos, hágalo seguido… coronavirus, coronavirus, pónganse las pilas en lugares concurridos. 🎶
Among the new series there’s Madre solo hay dos, a 10-episode series, that tells the story of “two very different women who come to face with each other uppon finding out their babies were accidentally exchanged at birth.” And –as one would imagine– the protagonists (Ludwika Paleta and Paulina Goto) have to be very blond and fair-skinned because that’s the only way a mostly indigenous, “brown country” would mess up such a situation, right?
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has a way to respond to haters.
As part of the premiere episode of Showtime’s Desus & Mero, the New York City native decided to show her critics that she’s not only a kick-ass politician but knows her way around a bodega and a taquería. Oh, and she will also mix you a margarita. And just so we have it clear: These people in Washington D.C. are “not smarter than a bartender.”
Watch Ocasio-Cortez as she joins her fellow Bronx natives, show hosts Desus Nice and The Kid Mero, on a tour of their home borough that includes bodegas, happy faces, burritos, margaritas, Bohemia beer and even Jarritos de piña.
The deadly Coronavirus might continue to claim victims around the world, but that has not stopped creative Mexicans for crafting their own t-shirts with the legend Ya me dio el (I have contracted the) Corona Virus, a different kind of disease that comes from… drinking too much Corona beer.
Several reasons, actually: Los Tigres del Norte do the Super Bowl LIV.
I’ve never been a fan of so-called American football –and you wouldn’t catch me dead watching hours upon hours of a Super Bowl. But all this will very likely change on Sunday, February 2, 2020 when my favorite band EVER is set to star in the opening video for Fox Sports’ broadcast of Super Bowl LIV.
Per a company press release:
Los Tigres del Norte and FOX Deportes joined forces for the first time to create a video, filmed in San Jose, celebrating the legacy of Los Tigres del Norte, the 100 seasons of the NFL, and the passion felt by Hispanics for football.
Okay, I might just watch my tigres doing their thing and then move onto more interesting things (happy hour at my local pub probably), but still… ¡Ajúa!
Gandhi Zapata wants you to have a Roti Taco, because –really?!
Sources closer to Hell’s Kitchen than me (at least right now) tell me there’s a new, hipster-conceived Mexican-Indian restaurant coming my way.
Called –what else?– Taco Mahal, this fusion eatery promises a “new concept in the realm of delicious tacos” where “the best spices of India collide with the best flavors of Latino America [SIC.]”
I have no idea what any of the above means, but Taco Mahal has been plastering the city with artful collages of Frida-meets-Rigveda / Parvati-Meets-Kahlo. Also, according to a menu posted online, you’ll be able to order stuff such as Roti Tacos or Naan Tacos, which sound just as weird as the below deities blended together.
It’s Indian, you know? but with a taco twist.
Thank God there’s also beer & wine available to wash this thing down; otherwise…
Today in the always popular section of Mexicans: How can Anyone not Like us I give you this chicken shop somewhere in Mexico whose slogan is just perfect –and quite impossible to translate without losing all its beauty. But basically, if you want to grow old (viejito,) you might want to go pay $65 pesos (about $3.5 USD) for a pollito (little chicken).