Mexico and the Mexicans can be complex. It's taken me years and years to figure out this wonderful country, its culture, traditions, and mindset. I've learned some basic things that I'd like to share:

1. First of all I have to say that Mexico is North America just like it is South America or Latin America. Why?, you might be wondering. Well, you have to see the number of Wal-Marts and McDonald's restaurants around the country and at some point you'll feel like in the States.

It is a country with great cosmopolitan cities like Mexico City and Monterrey, but you also get a sense of being in South America or Spain. Take Guadalajara as an example of colonial (Spain-like) Mexico, or even Chiapas that reminds us of Guatemala or Honduras.

2. It is an exciting country because you never know what to expect. Super spicy foods like mole, a clown by the name of Brozo that comments the news, or even the excitement of Lucha Libre (the Mexican version of Wrestling). Maybe it's the contrast of so many elements from the great culture to the ''Día de Muertos" (Day of the Death celebration).

3. If you're a tourist it'll take time to figure out the puzzle that this nation is. It might take many trips to Oaxaca, Puebla, Cancún, Mexico City, and after 5 trips back you'll be in love.

4. Gastronomy is fabulous. I have to say that I love two of the many national obsessions: one is freshly made food (frozen is a sin), and number two is you never get to taste all the tortilla dishes they have to offer. On top of that, chocolate came originally from Mexico, maize (corn) was grown here before anywhere else on the planet, Caesar salad was invented by a local, and oohhh I forgot, tequila is the national drink.

I'll be posting more on this later, hope you enjoy this reading.

Have fun,
Lou