tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37088687132635650392024-03-18T22:16:49.380-06:00Inside the MegalopolisLife in Mexico City and journeys beyondNancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.comBlogger161125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-65438204298154878662008-12-27T15:55:00.000-06:002009-01-05T17:51:48.110-06:00Journey through Sierra Gorda mountainsSIERRA GORDA, Queretaro--We've been through this kind of harrowing journey before. The kind where in order to get to the destination we've had to drive through hours of sharp twists and turns, climbing higher and higher along Mexico's mountainside. Each time has been an adventure, but this time was definitely the most scenic.Perhaps the other times (on a bus with a weak stomach and in the back ofNancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-66873818840292623982008-12-26T16:57:00.001-06:002009-01-05T15:24:29.118-06:00¡Viva la Revolución!JALPAN DE SERRA, Queretaro--While Mexico celebrated their Revolution Day on Nov. 20, we watched the revelers from the restaurant balcony of our hotel. There was dancing and parades all around to commemorate the 1910 revolution that put revolutionaries such as Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa on the map. It is believed that painter and activist Frida Kahlo, who was actually born in 1907, would Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-80109762122956871212008-12-24T11:00:00.000-06:002008-12-24T11:00:00.437-06:00San Miguel de AllendeSAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, Guanajuato--This city is definitely worth a visit for it's amazing cathedral and beautiful architecture. Mariachis hang out in the main plaza and fountains and smaller plazas called plazuelas appear in every other corner. It was reminiscent of one of my favorite cities in Mexico--Guanajuato City. Although I didn't order the best food around town, some good old-fashioned Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-33143889819531607192008-12-15T11:20:00.004-06:002008-12-23T21:41:58.263-06:00Year-end adventuresI've been so behind in blog posts, but I have a good reason. Jeremy and I haven't stopped moving in weeks. It's been hectic, chaotic, but also amazing and inspiring because we've seen some spectacular things along the way. Before the year 2008 ends, I want to share the adventures we've had in the last couple of weeks. SANTA JULIA CHILDREN'S SHELTER in GUANAJUATO--The little girls here have been Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-68852451376832143202008-11-10T15:20:00.002-06:002008-11-10T15:43:58.470-06:00Best Newspaper Office--EVERWhen we were in Puebla for Dia de los Muertos we couldn't help but notice how lucky Puebla newspaper reporters are to work in this beautiful historic building. (Disclaimer: OK, I know there are a million other beautiful things in Puebla but keep in mind that the Flores-Schwartz reporting team joined forces with our friends and media colleagues Brendan and Joy, who have also at one time or anotherNancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-84915806836584666572008-11-07T11:49:00.003-06:002008-11-07T12:31:34.717-06:00Obama songs play throughout Caribbean, Latin Americaphotos by jeremyTaxi driver outside Belize bus station gives us the "thumbs up."While in Belize a few weeks ago, the Obama fever was evident across this Central American country. Since Belize's economy heavily depends on American tourists and the Belizean dollar is tied 2-1 to the US dollar, it is no wonder people there also craved a change. We talked to several locals before the election who Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-19456814591528441342008-11-05T15:05:00.003-06:002008-11-05T15:32:02.352-06:00Dia de los Muertos en Pueblaphoto by jeremyFor the past two years, we've celebrated Dia de los Muertos at home in the DF. And while the local festivities are beautiful and lively, this time we ventured out to the nearby city of Puebla with some friends to enjoy the awesome food, altars and cemeteries of this colonial city.photo by jeremyPuebla is also known for its fabulous Talavera design. Check out this water fountain!TheNancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-49873496447516695152008-10-29T17:42:00.004-06:002008-10-30T11:07:33.867-06:00Island Lifephotos by jeremyThe view from the Belize-Caye Caulker ferry. CAYE CAULKER,Belize--After working hard on the mainland, it was time to discover why most visitors skip Belize City and head straight to the neighboring islands. Our time was limited, so we chose to go to the closest island. After an hour-long ferry ride, we landed in the tiny but lively Caye Caulker. In the 1960s, a fierce Hurricane Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-33748456906609285582008-10-28T14:37:00.003-06:002008-10-28T16:24:20.021-06:00Belizean WildlifeSOMEWHERE IN THE BELIZE JUNGLE--After a successful interview with the country's Prime Minister Dean Barrow, we treated ourselves to checking out Belize's incredible jungle animal life at a nearby sanctuary. Just like Belize's people, it's wildlife is full of diversity with exotic animals from spider monkeys to mountain cows.Seeing a toucan up close had to be one of the most amazing sights on the Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-31971002961248467702008-10-27T11:30:00.009-06:002008-10-27T18:03:01.814-06:00Belize--the Real Melting Potimage lonelyplanet.comBELIZE CITY--Before our trip I had read all about the rich ethnic diversity here. Even though I knew what to expect, actually seeing so many people of unique backgrounds come together in a small country of about 300,000 was so refreshing and unlike any other Central American country. photos by jeremyBelizeans are mostly made up of: Mestizos, who are people of mixed Spanish Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-6944659190417610972008-10-24T17:11:00.003-06:002008-10-24T17:58:56.796-06:00Tulum RuinsTULUM,Quintana Roo-- It's an overwhelming feeling to be in the middle of indigenous archaeological ruins and try to take in the meaning of centuries worth of history. The first time I went to Teotihuacan, the enormous Aztec ruins on the outskirts of Mexico City, and climbed on top of the Pyramid of the Sun, it was definitely an out-of-body experience. Though the archaeological ruins in Tulum are Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-76032479720097482422008-10-23T17:23:00.003-06:002008-10-23T18:33:40.917-06:00Jungle LivingWe've been traveling like crazy the last couple of weeks. But yesterday we came back to the megalopolis safe and sound after some interesting, weird, awesome, uncomfortable and fun experiences. That's the joy of being on the road. Our journey began in the Yucatan Peninsula (near Cancun)....TULUM, Quintana Roo--The first time I saw the small beach town of Tulum was during Hurricane Dean last year Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-27674418110984828542008-10-07T15:18:00.004-06:002008-10-07T17:13:04.907-06:00From the Morelia Film Festival Red CarpetMORELIA, Michoacan--Glamorous actors/actresses, style and flashing bulbs were no exception at this fabulous red carpet. As a newbie to the scene, I admit there were times when I was star struck. I mean, come on, I've been following some of these celebrities since their novela days, others opened my eyes to the possibilities in Mexican cinema.As the stars strutted their stuff down the Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-90939907861041551112008-10-03T22:30:00.003-06:002008-10-03T23:29:36.613-06:00Bajo JuarezYes, I admit it. I'm a documentary film junkie. I have been for a long time. But since we moved to Mexico City, I also became a Mexican film junkie. It has been my dream to attend the Morelia Film Festival (Mexico's version of Cannes) and surround myself with other weirdos who talk about cinematography, who research Mexican directors and dream about one day producing my very own documentary.This Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-9061709310391638222008-09-29T13:12:00.006-06:002008-09-29T16:34:07.651-06:00Bird's-eye View of Downtown Mexico CityWe've been atop a few huge towers that overlook impressive skylines-- including Seattle's Space Needle and San Antonio's Tower of the Americas--but by far the coolest we've been to is the Torre Latinoamericana in Mexico City.It's history, views from almost 600 feet, and interesting museum make it a must-see in the city.a Wikipedia photoSure, the Torre now sits in the middle of the bustling Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-37516750440518050592008-09-19T13:55:00.005-06:002008-09-19T14:43:23.174-06:00Homenaje a Julieta, Mami y Los Tigres del NorteIt was the summer of 2003, and I had just graduated from college. My eyes were set on my new destination for the next three months--St. Petersburg, Flordia, where I was to learn everything about journalism as a fellow with the Poynter Institute. I sold most of my junky college belongings, stashed the rest at my parent's and then-boyfriend Jeremy's house and packed the rest in my reliable Toyota Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-86636684785228118242008-09-16T17:35:00.003-06:002008-09-16T18:11:06.818-06:00Fiestas PatriasIt's been a Flores-Schwartz tradition to head down to our neighborhood plaza for 16 de septiembre festivities. We were joined by some of our friends this time for food, drinks and silly Independence Day hats. Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-37079248103737543312008-09-11T11:00:00.005-06:002008-09-11T11:37:13.360-06:00Aztec Mystery ContinuesAs promised, here's more news from the Island of Mexcaltitan. This is the island city that some historians believe is behind the founding of Mexico.To check out my photo slideshow, click on the title link above. To check out Jeremy's story, copy and paste this link:http://www.coxwashington.com/reporters/content/reporters/stories/2008/30/2008/09/01/MEXICO_AZTLAN31_COX.htmlThese white herons or "Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-11974051417714926972008-09-09T07:00:00.002-06:002008-09-09T07:00:01.365-06:00Ode to Street FoodI'm loving straight-talking chef Anthony Bourdain's memoir "Kitchen Confidential." Inspired by his love of all things meat, here's a video clip from his street food tour of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, my hometown's sister city across the border. If you attended my wedding, then you passed through or even spent the night in this culinary heaven. Here are some fab quotes from his book:"No one Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-10341996426234685092008-09-08T10:00:00.010-06:002008-09-08T13:54:36.355-06:00Gone CountrySEGUIN, Texas--No smog. No traffic. No worries. At my Tia Rosa and Tio Ruben's ranch-style life in rural Texas, it's all about family and home cooking. These Boston city boys discovered they were a little bit country after all.My Tio Ruben prefers the tranquility of his almost five acres of land to the city life any day.Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-50662015695930705552008-08-30T07:00:00.000-06:002008-08-30T07:00:00.820-06:00Rural MexicoOBRAJUELO, Guanajuato-- During the morning hustle and bustle, we noticed women all over town carrying small pails. We later found out that those pails were full of reduced-price milk. It turns out that the town's rich landowners who still have a working hacienda in the middle of town sell milk to the national milk company Alpura. Every week, the landowners reward their workers with cheap milk Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-22161615092822090712008-08-29T20:59:00.002-06:002008-08-29T21:27:44.593-06:00Lil' JeremyOBRAJUELO,Guanajuato--My hubby decided to call himself "Jeremias" shortly after moving to Mexico because, well, it was just less painful than having to constantly spell out his name or have it badly mispronounced time after time. And forget about saying Schwartz. So it was extra special that after more than two years of living in Mexico my hubby finally met a "tocayo" or namesake. We couldn't Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-51992458403924384962008-08-20T15:20:00.003-06:002008-08-20T15:47:12.715-06:00Shrimp is LifeISLA DE MEXCALTITAN, Nayarit--When shrimp is the livelihood of a village, it becomes as important as the beloved Virgen de Guadalupe. A sign above a family's front door says,"May God shine a light on my path."People here dried shrimp on the sidewalks of their home. The technique, a local historian told us, came from Chinese immigrants who came to the island in the 1920's. Today, the island has Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-10257065956040564872008-08-12T12:32:00.002-06:002008-08-12T13:04:30.204-06:00To Keep Your Hips Shakin'I'm always on the hunt for new Latin funk/rock/pop/electronica and hip-hop bands (Most English language music does not do it for me). I recently saw this Latina.com video from the Alternative Latin Music Conference in New York and decided that you, too, should keep your hips shaking. Geo, this one is para ti.Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708868713263565039.post-70456500540451334622008-08-11T10:43:00.003-06:002008-08-11T11:31:24.585-06:00Finding AztlanSANTIAGO DE IXCUINTLA,Nayarit--The beautiful murals in this city tell the story of how the Aztecs left their native Aztlan to found the Aztec empire of Tenochitlan (present day Mexico City). Great controversy surrounds the mystery of where Aztlan is really located, whether it is a mythical place or not. Historians have pointed to Texas, California, New Mexico and other places throughout Mexico asNancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05881829951018872655noreply@blogger.com0