Photo: Laura Martínez, Harlem, Dec. 21, 2014
5 Mexican-Themed Gifts to Spice up Your Christmas
Have you run out of Christmas gift ideas? Are you looking for something that will show your love for other cultures and stuff without breaking the bank? Amazon has you covered.
Amazon.com has a wealth of “multicultural Christmas stuff,” including tons of Mexican-themed Christmas ornaments, music and more. So here are my 5 FAVES, most of which go for under $25 and are most likely Made in China, with the exception of the maraca-wielding Santa, which for some strange reason will cost you a whopping $154.
1. The Westland Aye Chihuahua Guillermo Mexican Sombrero Tealight Candle Holder
2. The Sombrero-Wearing International Snowman
3. The Benelux Aluminum Mexican Flag Christmas Ornament
4. The Feliz Navidad Bossa Nova Latin CD thing
5. And – of course – The $153 maraca-wielding Santa
¡Adiós, Colberto! Why this Blogger will Forever Miss You
Hispanic television has never been very good at poking fun at… well, Hispanic television, which is a shame since there’s just so much to poke fun at.
Fortunately, we had Stephen Colbert — and his hilarious Hispanic primo Esteban Colberto — to set the record straight when it came to Latino things, like that time he interviewed “the Latino Walter Cronkite” (i.e. Jorge Ramos) beginning all his questions with an upside down question mark and stating Latinos are too lazy to even deport ourselves.
There was also
Some more Latino jewels from Colbert here, here and here. Oh, and then there’s the Mexican Threat Special.
¡Adiós, Colberto!
U.S.-Cuba: The Thaw in Today’s Newspapers [photo gallery]
Click on each paper (below) to see full gallery…
New York Post
Ultimas Noticias, Venezuela
Liberation, France
The New York Times, U.S.
El País, Uruguay
The Washington Post
El Diario, Nueva York
El Universal, Mexico
La Repubblica, Italia
El Clarín, Argentina
DeMorgen, Germany
Zero Hora, Brazil
Jersey Journal, USA
Daily News, New York
I will be adding more as time -and energy- allow.
Americans: Here’s your [Last] Chance to See the Real Cuba
I am not going to bother you with details, but unless you’ve been living under a rock (or have no access to the Internet), I’m sure you know that hipster/communist/pothead/deranged/delusional President Barack Obama on Wednesday decided to be like BFF with the Castro brothers (and no, I’m not talking about those other Castro brothers.)
In any case, I’m sure you’re already planning your 2015 Cuba bacchanalia vacation thinking it’s going to be non-stop music, cigars, rum, chicas and fiesta. But let’s take a look at what this country looks like right now before you guys go ruin it all (HINT: It’s gorgeous!)
Oh, and by the way, I’m posting the following photos — taken by yours truly — with confidence I will not be deported and/or lose my Green Card in the process. (Should that be the case, please start raising some funds for my release.)
All photos by Laura Martínez (2012).
Mexicans: Making the Most out of Google Search
#AzTech #YearInReview2014
No, Tuny, This Ad Doesn’t Make me Crave your Tuna Fish
I am sure Tuny tuna fish is as delicious as a canned tuna product can be. But I’m not sure this ad will make people rush buy their product.
It might be just me, but a chile poblano stuffed with aluminum is not really my thing.
¡Guácala!
Chicago Market Wants you to Know These Chips are ‘Hispanic’
Marianos Market in Chicago seems to be aware of all the faux “Hispanic food” flooding the market these days, so it’s going the extra mile, labelling things properly, so customers can tell the difference between make-believe “Mexican food” and genuine Chichen Itzá-labelled, donkey-inspired corn chips.
¡Bravo! This blogger appreciates the effort. Really.
Photo: DonMarquito
Weird, Bilingual New York: I Love you all the Same
Photo: Laura Martínez, Union Square, December 2014.
My Office Welcomes Visitors with Mexican Christmas Flowers
I know you were dying to know that Poinsettias (aka Euphorbia pulcherrima) are none other than the archfamous Mexican — and Central American — Christmas flowers better known as Nochebuenas or flores de pascua, which are not to be confused with these other delicious Nochebuenas.
The best part about Poinsettias?
Their English name derives from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico, who introduced the plant into the United States in 1825.
Now you know.
Let’s drink to Joel Roberts Poinsett.
¡Salud!
Looks Like Mexican-Spanish Cuisine is a ‘Thing’ in the U.S.
New York City
Frederick, Maryland
Call me crazy, but last time I checked, Spanish cuisine had absolutely nothing to do with the cuisine of my forefathers (i.e. the Mexicans).
I mean, we cannot even agree on what the hell a tortilla is all about, so WTH?
Anyhow, I guess I shouldn’t be that shocked, after all this time living on this side of the border, the country that has given us the Fritos Enchilada Melt and the $10 non-taco tacos, among many other horrors.
So let’s welcome yet one more nonsensical ethnic meal and, ¡coño! ¡que viva la comida Hispano-Mexicana!
Colombian Mexican Restaurant: Are you Confused Yet?
Well, as I said before, this whole Colombia vs. Columbia thing is becoming ridiculous, lately confusing the almighty writers over at The New York Times — and even this poor blogger.
And just to continue to mess up with our heads, comes a Colombian Mexican Restaurant, an apparent new addition to Restaurant Row in Midtown Manhattan.
So let’s recap: It’s not Columbia, it’s Colombian, and it sells Colombian, not Columbian, and Mexican food in New York City.
Wait. What?!
Click here for a comprehensive coverage of this blog’s Colombia vs. Columbia conundrum.
Hat tip: Chris Albi
You Guys! The Kim Kardashian Piñata is Now for Sale in Mexico
Hat tip: Alba Mora Roca (Twitter)
My Plan is Working: ‘The New York Times’ writes ‘Colombia’ instead of ‘Columbia’
Of all the wonderful Colombia vs. Columbia blunders this site has documented (and, trust me, there are many) this New York Times correction from November 26, 2014 has got to be my favorite one.
See? There are cases in which it’s NOT Colombia, but Columbia.
Photo: JeanneWhalen
Just Say ‘Gracias’ and Have a Happy Thanksgiving Y’all!
This blogger will be taking some time off to embark on a food and drink rampage spiritual retreat to plan for the year ahead and thank my paisanos for all the hard work and for enduring stuff like this and this on a daily basis.
As for this blogger, she’s officially kicking off the GUAJOLOTE-REYES marathon, which runs from Nov. 25th and all the güey through January 6, 2015.
MI BLOG ES TU BLOG 