All Mexico Info Group Oracle
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.
All Mexico Info Group Oracle

Information, discussions, attractions, and activities in México with a focus on Michoacán, El Alma de México.
 
HomeHome  PreviewPreview  Latest imagesLatest images  SearchSearch  RegisterRegister  Log in  

 

 Newbs in the Labyrinth

Go down 
3 posters
AuthorMessage
Peter
Amigo
Peter


Posts : 1108
Join date : 2011-02-20
Location : Morelia
Humor : Ironic

Newbs in the Labyrinth Empty
PostSubject: Newbs in the Labyrinth   Newbs in the Labyrinth EmptyWed 02 Mar 2011, 09:45

cheenagringo wrote:
Just viewed all of the photos in your series. They really represented just how important these fiestas are to the traditions and character of small towns in Mexico. I am very envious of your ability to attend and feel the spirit!

Having just moved out of the Centro of Morelia where there is always something going-on and back into my colonia inside the pereférico beltway in the N/West of town I am looking forward to seeing the Toritos coming here with their color, music, and dance. It is not always that we are brought that spirit to these colonias as in some pueblos, though we do have some of the traditions and spectaculars being performed here we have our fair share of fiestas.

One visitor in town recently commented how the Tourism departments don't give enough information about events. I think there is just too much happening to keep track of. Then you have the state's depart of tourism, the municipios' - several. This lady would like a minute-to-minute breakdown of each day's events. She would like to know the exact moment to poke her head out the door to catch the most spectacular and interesting parts of the celebration. Ain't gonna' happen. You go and enjoy the moment.

Either commit yourself to staying the whole day to catch the whole thing or resign yourself to knowing you might miss something if you leave. If by chance you miss out on one of Mexico's fun fiestas it is not the end of the world. Wait for next week in the next neighboring pueblo and there will be something interesting going on. That's the way it is here in Michoacán.



Last edited by Peter on Wed 02 Mar 2011, 15:28; edited 1 time in total
Back to top Go down
https://amigo.forumotion.com/
cheenagringo
Amigo
cheenagringo


Posts : 334
Join date : 2011-02-21
Location : Albuquerque, New Mexico
Job/hobbies : Importing Quality Mexican Products

Newbs in the Labyrinth Empty
PostSubject: Re: Newbs in the Labyrinth   Newbs in the Labyrinth EmptyWed 02 Mar 2011, 10:05

I have always felt that the Michoacan Tourism Bureau has one of the most informative websites available in Mexico:
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

That said, I just went to it and it appears they may be in the midst of a remodel or rebuild since some features appear to have disappeared. I have found that by going to the "Information" page for each region, you will find a town by town listing that gives some decent info on each and that would include some of the important holidays for that town, city or village. Certainly you locals would be more in the loop and be privy to more extensive info but for those of us still learning the opportunities of Michoacan, it isn't a bad place to start.
Back to top Go down
http://Coming Soon: www.HaciendaMagnifico.com
Peter
Amigo
Peter


Posts : 1108
Join date : 2011-02-20
Location : Morelia
Humor : Ironic

Newbs in the Labyrinth Empty
PostSubject: Re: Newbs in the Labyrinth   Newbs in the Labyrinth EmptyWed 02 Mar 2011, 11:03

cheenagringo wrote:
I have always felt that the Michoacan Tourism Bureau has one of the most informative websites available in Mexico:
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

That said, I just went to it and it appears they may be in the midst of a remodel or rebuild since some features appear to have disappeared. I have found that by going to the "Information" page for each region, you will find a town by town listing that gives some decent info on each and that would include some of the important holidays for that town, city or village. Certainly you locals would be more in the loop and be privy to more extensive info but for those of us still learning the opportunities of Michoacan, it isn't a bad place to start.

It is a start but it isn't entirely all-inclusive - more goes on in a pueblito than is included in the brochures. As mentioned, this lady tourist (Canadian, if it matters any) wanted a complete horario of the day's events. Sorry, Mexican planning is not that exact of a science, even the local TV channels don't start their programming on the hour and the half, though they are scheduled that way if you can find a guide.

Being a local doesn't help that much either. I don't know of any native-born Morelianos that are knowledgeable enough about events to be able to provide more than a rough idea what goes on here or in the nearby pueblos. Sharing the information about these events in such forums as this is the best way to know what is going-on. I have been criticized for not knowing or being able to answer all questions and give all details of the local events. Then when these same persons stumble onto a little more complete information the only information they offer me is to let me know I had left some detail out and that I was somehow a disgusting individual for not being more accurate.

How dare I for leaving out the hour the band would arrive after the event kicked-off. All my fault, they could have slept-in another hour or had another cup of coffee if not for my omission. They would post their questions and I would do best what I could to provide some information, but if they discovered other details they would not take the time to pass those along, better time spent criticizing the locals for being so inconsiderate with their erroneous info. How was I to know the bandolin player's wife was going to serve him extra-greasy tamales and he would need more time in the baño that morning? Us locals know to make allowances for those kind of things.

Anyway, that's one example of why these message and information boards exist. We need to keep each other informed.


Last edited by Peter on Wed 02 Mar 2011, 23:12; edited 1 time in total
Back to top Go down
https://amigo.forumotion.com/
cheenagringo
Amigo
cheenagringo


Posts : 334
Join date : 2011-02-21
Location : Albuquerque, New Mexico
Job/hobbies : Importing Quality Mexican Products

Newbs in the Labyrinth Empty
PostSubject: Re: Newbs in the Labyrinth   Newbs in the Labyrinth EmptyWed 02 Mar 2011, 11:58

And the reason that you would be expected to know all? Seems to me that if the Canadian wanted to know all that info, then it would be their responsibility to do the leg work and figure it all out. If they should happen to miss something, then reschedule for the next evento and then not miss a thing. Just part of the educational learning experience.
Back to top Go down
http://Coming Soon: www.HaciendaMagnifico.com
Don Cuevas
Amigo
Don Cuevas


Posts : 281
Join date : 2011-02-21
Location : Michoacán, Mexico
Job/hobbies : Retired
Humor : incomprehensible

Newbs in the Labyrinth Empty
PostSubject: Expactations   Newbs in the Labyrinth EmptyWed 02 Mar 2011, 11:58

Quote :
"This lady would like a minute-to-minute breakdown of each day's events. She would like to know the exact moment to poke her head out the door to catch the most spectacular and interesting parts of the celebration. Ain't gonna' happen. You go and enjoy the moment."


Yes. many visitors and newbie expats are in the NOB mode of thought— that there is a strict schedule for every moment of every event. They want to know every step of where the best whatever-it-is can be found. No hassles, no problemas. But life is not like that in Mexico.

I realize that this is a dfferent (and possibly controversial topic), and maybe I might have to move it Behind the Barn, or at least, This Isn't Kansas Any More.

Paz.

Back to top Go down
http://mexkitchen.blogspot.com/
Peter
Amigo
Peter


Posts : 1108
Join date : 2011-02-20
Location : Morelia
Humor : Ironic

Newbs in the Labyrinth Empty
PostSubject: Re: Newbs in the Labyrinth   Newbs in the Labyrinth EmptyWed 02 Mar 2011, 12:17

And just for the record, I wasn't meaning to say anything disparaging aboat my Canadian friends, eh. Although this doesn't apply to every aspect of the Canadian way of life, but in general, which makes it even more conspicuous here, Canadians are just like Americans only more so.

That should earn me some hate mail.
Back to top Go down
https://amigo.forumotion.com/
cheenagringo
Amigo
cheenagringo


Posts : 334
Join date : 2011-02-21
Location : Albuquerque, New Mexico
Job/hobbies : Importing Quality Mexican Products

Newbs in the Labyrinth Empty
PostSubject: Re: Newbs in the Labyrinth   Newbs in the Labyrinth EmptyWed 02 Mar 2011, 13:33

I certainly did not means to imply anything negative about Canadians!

I am reminded of an experience back in 2000, when we were on an extended visit to our former home in the Lake Chapala area. A very successful American couple (she a doctor and he a successful business man) planned to visit us for seven days. Even with two months to plan the trip, they had not bothered to doing any reading or research on Mexico. While they had expressed a great deal of travel experience, we didn't realize that it was all by cruises or escorted tours. From the moment we picked them up at the airport, we were expected to be their tour guides and nannies for every minute of each day. After seven days, they still had not even figured out the Peso during a time when it was very simple at 10:1 and we were both ready to kill them both. Even during conversations about their prior travel experiences throughout Europe, it was very evident that they had learned NADA. Some people are just meant to stay in their own little world and learn nothing!
Back to top Go down
http://Coming Soon: www.HaciendaMagnifico.com
Peter
Amigo
Peter


Posts : 1108
Join date : 2011-02-20
Location : Morelia
Humor : Ironic

Newbs in the Labyrinth Empty
PostSubject: Newbs in the Labyrinth   Newbs in the Labyrinth EmptyWed 02 Mar 2011, 14:34

cheenagringo wrote:
... it was very evident that they had learned NADA. Some people are just meant to stay in their own little world and learn nothing!

That's funny too. It is Tere that feels like a foreigner at Lakeside, it's pretty much like an American town. I wonder whose idea it was to paint the taxis yellow there?? Only place I know in Mexico with yellow taxis. We love Lakeside though, just enjoy it for what it is. We go there because it is a slice of America in Tere's homeland.

It takes an adventuresome spirit to make the transition. My experiences have been so positive here and touched me so deeply I have all-along made a concerted effort to lose my gringo-ness. And then Dawg lives out in Chiapas of all places, and I am sure they have chosen there because it is so far remove physically and culturally from where they are native. Mexico speaks to another part of your being, not the one we were conditioned to as a matter of our integration process but that part of us that wants to live as it seems nature had intended. I'm once again enjoying life in a manner I had forgotten and don't wish to ever leave here or this state of mind.

You know Michoacán now. It is relatively unspoiled and lives with its traditions. I have never had it feel unwelcoming here, never have encountered a "Yanqui Go Home" attitude. If anything, it seems the people here want you to feel a part of it all. They seem to be the most pleased when they know you love and enjoy Mexico like they do.

I have been out in the tierra caliente in Tepalcatepec more than an hour past Apatzingán where I know I had to be the only anglo within hours of there. At times I might attract some attention, particulary in the little pueblitos around there like Taixtán where just a stranger in town is unusual - but a gringo?? I was with a Mexican friend there but left alone for a couple hours at night in middle of the small town. I wandered into a taco shop to kill time when some of the younger guys hanging out in town that evening spotted me. They were all questions, but mostly wanted to know how I liked their part of Mexico. When they understood that I liked it well and lived in Morelia that was enough for them to accept me into their circle and kept me company and entertained until my friend had returned.

Losing my gringo-ness was not an overnght process, I believe some of us have learned that role too well, but all along the way I have had a number of my neighbors more than willing to tutor me into learning how to live again, how to enjoy life like they do. Mexicans work hard and play hard - a lot of fiestas - and I have heard it said, read it written, that Mexicans are the second most happiest people in the world. No one has ever been able to tell me who are the happiest people in the world.

It really is worth just being here and learninig to go along with the flow. It seems a more natural way to live. The people here will help you learn it too. Just be willing to let it happen.

Back to top Go down
https://amigo.forumotion.com/
Don Cuevas
Amigo
Don Cuevas


Posts : 281
Join date : 2011-02-21
Location : Michoacán, Mexico
Job/hobbies : Retired
Humor : incomprehensible

Newbs in the Labyrinth Empty
PostSubject: Re: Newbs in the Labyrinth   Newbs in the Labyrinth EmptyWed 02 Mar 2011, 15:26

I see that you did move this discussion out of Fiestas to Kansas. Thanks.

Back to top Go down
http://mexkitchen.blogspot.com/
Peter
Amigo
Peter


Posts : 1108
Join date : 2011-02-20
Location : Morelia
Humor : Ironic

Newbs in the Labyrinth Empty
PostSubject: Re: Newbs in the Labyrinth   Newbs in the Labyrinth EmptyWed 02 Mar 2011, 15:48

Don Cuevas wrote:
I see that you did move this discussion out of Fiestas to Kansas. Thanks.

That suggestion was a natural. This is its own topic for sure. We have some good material going. I left the edit function un-timed so so I can clean up my typos and clumsy word structure in places. Maybe when I learn more about this machine I can put in an essay section where posts can be expanded upon and highlighted. Even threads/topics for joint writing exercises. Such talent shouldn't go to waste. I wish I'd had so good of info when I was deciding to come here.

I have had a lot of second thoughts about wanting to have Kansas on this board. I think talking about it in this forum may help lessen its inevitable impact when it does arrive. Maybe parts of it will see itself and stay scarce. I'm no longer in any mood to rush this process. I've put out the word to them already. The A-team has arrived and the others will be along eventually. No hay prisa.
Back to top Go down
https://amigo.forumotion.com/
Sponsored content





Newbs in the Labyrinth Empty
PostSubject: Re: Newbs in the Labyrinth   Newbs in the Labyrinth Empty

Back to top Go down
 
Newbs in the Labyrinth
Back to top 
Page 1 of 1

Permissions in this forum:You cannot reply to topics in this forum
All Mexico Info Group Oracle :: Public Forum/Informational Topics :: AMIGO Roundtable-
Jump to: