Dîa de dar gracias

Don't ask me why, but I've almost always celebrated Thanksgiving in Mexico, whether my family's eating tacos de cabeza in Hermosillo or an actual turkey in Bahia de Kino. My Mexican family usually joins in, taking some time off of work to help with the cooking, or just stopping by late to eat. It's pretty amazing to see how Knorr Suiza chicken bullion (a Mexican kitchen must-have) adds that certain taste to stuffing.

I thought I was one of the only ones to experience this until I ran into Lorena Barraza, a journalism student, who plans on traveling across the border to celebrate the holiday with her grandparents in Guaymas.

"I don't get time to see my grandparents that much," she said. "This is a good opportunity for me to spend some quality time (with them)."

Lorena, who "can't even boil water" appreciates the fact that her grandmother goes out of her way to actually crate a full-fledged Thanksgiving menu.

Surprisingly, this year my family has had a turn of events and I'll actually be spending Turkey Day in Nogales, Ariz. Even more strange, family from Mexico will be joining us.

Missing Anything?

On a recent assignment to Nogales, Sonora, Mex., I noticed the most important subjects were missing: the shoppers. This alley, few steps away from Avenida Obregon, is usually filled with shoppers from "el otro lado," according to Maria, a vendor stationed near the alley who refused to give her last name.

Maria remembered a time when a "puente," or long weekend, would bring in countless shoppers from the United States and fill the entire shopping area near the border.

Look closely to the photo above. The only people in the alley are vendors and their buddies, most of whom quickly turned their Spanish slang into, "Come on in, we have good price for you," as soon as I walked by.

So what happened to all of the shoppers? "It all started when the twin towers went down," Maria said. She blames the higher security measures and the "bad publicity" that Nogales has been receiving since September 11, 2001 for her slow sales. Though other shop owners didn't say why, they also noted that the absence of shoppers was pretty odd for a long weekend.

Talking about American shoppers, this article on about.com provides a "guide" for spending a day in Nogales and includes bartering tips and dining recommendations, which I suggest you read, but don't necessarily follow. Instead, experience the sights, sounds and flavors on your own. Pick up some antibiotics on your way out (just in case the seafood you ate was sitting out a bit too long) and say hi to Maria for me.

Sino ¡Esta Bien!http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

The latest release from "hands down Mexico's most important rock band," Cafe Tacvba has finally hit shelves, or itunes, whichever you perfer.

Cafe what?
Like I said, Mexico's most important rock band. You should get to know them, and this is the best time to do so.

Sino, the band's first studio album in four years is a great mix of songs that include vocals from all the band members, something the band has been toying with for the past 18 years, but until now is full-fledged. An eclectic and at times random mix of every Mexican musical element, this album a pretty good follow-up to Cuatro Caminos, which won a Grammy and a Latin America VMA.

"I had no idea who they were," said Jesus Wences, a self-proclaimed music lover who just recently discovered the band. "I really need to get in touch with my Mexican roots huh?"

Wences found out about Cuatro Caminos from a co-worker and fell in love with the four man band from Mexico City. He had been waiting for a month until the album was released October 9.

"I can't wait for their new tour," said Wences.

But for now, he'll need to satisfy his urges with the video from their first single, "Volver a Comenzar," courtesy of Bareto on YouTube