Paquita la del Barrio
I have always been a fan of different types of music and about the only genre that is not on my iPod would be heavy metal. Part of the fun of living in Mexico is the music scene. We have been entertained at outdoor performances by reggae and opera. Have enjoyed a concert of sacred music sung in the ancient language of the Jews, performed on traditional medieval instruments. There was the harp concert that included five members of one family from Ecuador. And recently there was piano recital by a teeny, tiny German woman with Einstein hair who had performed her first recital in 1954. And I almost forgot about the street musicians of every kind.
My appreciation of Mexican music and Mexican performers has grown immensely and I now recognize many of them when they are played on the radio. Music seems to be part of the Mexican psyche and there are songs and artists that transcend all age groups. And when these songs or artists perform everyone sings. One of these iconic performers and also one of my favorites is Paquita la del Barrio.
While most of her songs are of a feminist nature bashing men and the macho culture, everyone adores her. Songs such as “Rata de dos Patas” (rat with two feet) and “Pobre Pistilito” (poor little pistol). I was able to see her perform at what would be the Jalisco State Fair in September, the stadium was overflowing and the promenade around the top deck had people standing ten deep to watch the show. Paquita is a very well put together women with a huge band to back her up but basically its just her out there with her songs. There are no dancers, no light show and aside from the occasional “gracias” to the crowd and patting her brow with a hanky it’s just her singing with the crowd is screaming for more.
Paquita is a true diva but I am told she is also very down to earth. She enjoys her tequila before the concert and when she is not performing Paquita is at her restaurant in Mexico City, in there cooking, making tortillas and serving her guests.
Please enjoy the following video as Paquita la del Barrio performs “Rata de dos Patas”
FIL - Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara
Guadalajara International Book Fair
Last Thursday Spanish class was canceled for a field trip. The teachers and students got on the #262 bus, paid our 6 pesos each and went to the Guadalajara International Book Fair, known as FIL.
The book fair takes place over 9 days and features 500 writers, 350 book presentations, 1,650 publishing houses and book vendors from 40 countries and is the second largest book fair in the world after Frankfurt, Germany.
I woke up that morning looking forward to going but without any idea of what this event entailed. When we arrived that morning the exposition center was bustling but by the time we left around 12:3 it was packed. We walked the whole center, somehow never losing anyone in our group, but with the aisles of publishers and vendors I know we didn’t experience everything there was to see.
Was planning to return that evening with friends for the free outdoor concert that takes place after the book fair closes at 9pm, but we didn’t make it. As one of the girls in our group remarked, "Who would've thought there would be so many things going on at a book fair". The place was certainly lively and not library quiet at all.
Since our knowledge of Spanish is fairly limited the group spent most of time looking at and buying children’s books. Which was really kind of fun, I found a pop-up copy of Jules Verne’s “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” which was my favorite book as a kid. Not sure how many times I checked that out of the Benson Library in Omaha, but it was more than a couple. Anyway this pop-up book is a pretty sophisticated and seems to be fairly complete as far as a story line goes. I am excited to start practicing Spanish with my new treasure and am really motivated now to learn more so that next year maybe I can purchase something that is a bit more of a read.
I was able to return to the book fair on Friday night before another event. It's amazing how large and spread out Guadalajara is that everything seems to happen so close by. So Friday night around 7:3 they closed the ticket windows and entry was free and the fair was staying open till 3am Saturday morning. That night the place was packed but I found another room in the expo center we hadn't seen that was divided up by country. There was gridlock surrounding the exposition center and the sidewalks were lined with street vendors of all types. Makes me proud to be a reader.
My Mexican Diet Plan
Being back in the states last September I was astounded by the amount of food being served. During those three weeks I gained a total of 10 pounds. Even though I had only been gone four months I guess I never realized how much food was consumed at one setting, and how you always finish what is in front of you.
Upon my return to Mexico I quickly lost what I had gained in Nebraska plus another 12 pounds.
All totaled since moving to Mexico I have lost 42 pounds and 7 inches off my waist.
I attribute this to the following factors:
1) The food we eat here is natural, fresh and local-
Not “manufactured” or processed
2) The portions are correct-
The states have “BIG food”. Here you stop at a taco stand and eat 3 tacos, if you want to, you get another. It seems that everyday is Thanksgiving back in the states.
3) I am never hungry here-
Maybe because my stomach is never stretched – hehehe
4) My meals are pretty much on a schedule-
I generally have breakfast between 8 and 9. Lunch between 2 and 4.
Dinner rarely.
5) I walk-
Maybe not as much as I did when living in the country but in Guadalajara I walk to the bus, to the subway, to the store and then up the 5 flights of stairs to our third floor apartment.
Not sure how that works but its 5 flights - no elevator
6) I probably eat more dairy than ever before-
I had never been a fan of milk but now drink at least one glass every morning and breakfast usually has two eggs with it. I remember working with a guy who was on a diet that required eggs every morning.
It all seems pretty simple, natural foods, correct portions and exercise but my diet plan happened without me even knowing it.
Mas BOOBIES, Mas Boobies, Mas Boobies !!!
That's how the announcer shouts it every time this commercial plays on the radio.
This is the commercial of a bar that is located just three blocks from the apartment. The promotion is that every time you drink there, if you are female, you are given a chance to win a new pair of BOOBIES. I don't even know if this would be legal in the States.
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