It is hurricane season again, Z-titlan members, so it is time to watch the National Hurricane Center website. I have been to some parties since arriving in the United States and there was more drinking and lecturing, and less interaction, than Mexicans seem to undertake. It is as though we had been trained to compete … More That American Manner
In México-Tenochtitlan they are pressing on to find the tlatoani Ahuízotl. I have seen so many images of Aztec warriors that I dream about them. In Oaxaca de Juárez I recommend El Llano over the Zócalo because, although it does have a church like all squares, it is not a religious, government, ceremonial, or tourist … More Ahuízotl y El Llano
I found this place by chance; then it got written up. Here is Gilberto Bosques, in conversation with Elena Poniatowska, on watching British planes come in at night over southern France, en route to Germany during the second world war. Look at the prose he speaks: Muchas veces no bajé, en la noche era un … More Casa Refugio Citlaltépetl
After Hallowe’en and my birthday, this is my favorite holiday. It is the midsummer or midwinter feast, depending on your hemisphere. On the night of June 23-24, you build fires and jump over them. In northern climes, summer swimming begins today. * I have some advice on the city of Oaxaca de Juárez which is … More Sankt Hans, Mais Uma Vez
I, the narrator and performer of this weblog am presently located at a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, where I am to meet the author who is in transit from his stela so we can go back to work in the United States. We want New Orleans to be a UNESCO World Heritage Centre and are … More On UNESCO World Heritage Centres
Associations I have with summer include: + Smell of sun on heather and herbes de Provence + A place of origin near Roman stones + Smell of chlorinated water and sun on concrete + Pennants fluttering from straw roofs + Alpine lakes + Redwood needles + Oceans of jaunty waves + Spires of northern cities … More Verano
Last night I found out too late about the death of Carlos Monsiváis to go to the wake, and did not know how public the event was, anyway, although it was announced in the papers. Now, again by reading the papers too late, I know one could have gone to the wake; there was also … More Museo Nacional de San Carlos
I posted condolences to the condolence page of Carlos Monsiváis, the “eccentric and ubiquitous” intellectual and journalist, but they were generic. I did not say that I met him without knowing who he was when I was asked to give him a ride in Riverside, California, and that we got to our destination early and … More Carlos Monsiváis
The strongest strikes Calderón and Clinton could make against the narcos would be to take the Army off the streets in Mexico and legalize drugs. Seriously. And Carlos Monsiváis died today, following José Saramago yesterday in Lisbon. I was in a museum earlier today watching Monsiváis speak on film and said, “After a certain point … More Tlatelolco
From the Aztec temple you can look across to the Spanish cathedral and beyond to a famous modern tower. I don’t really like to take pictures but if I had a camera I would like to compose and take a picture of this view. When I visit the ancient buildings I wish I could have … More Bernal Díaz del Castillo
coldhearted scientist وداد 