| Traveling to Mexico? Want to experience what | | | | enjoying a bit of folk dancing at a local festival, you |
| Mexico is really like? If so, there are some places | | | | will see how important dance is to the Mexican |
| where you can truly immerse yourself in real Mexican | | | | people. Some villages, like Merida, hold park dances |
| culture. People watching is a great way to learn about | | | | nightly and everyone is invited. The colorful displays |
| a place and its inhabitants. | | | | you will see are something you will never forget. If |
| Town Squares | | | | you happen to come across a festival while you visit, |
| You will find a town park or plaza in the middle of | | | | you will have a great time. With traditional costumes, |
| every city or village. Schedule some time to just sit | | | | great food and music you will enjoy every minute. |
| there. Enjoy a snack and watch everyone who | | | | The Beaches |
| passes by. Town squares are the center of society | | | | In seaside towns, you will find wide sidewalks |
| in Mexico, yet they are all different. Compare the | | | | fronting the roads that follow the coastline. These |
| grand, yet intimate beauty of Oaxaca's square with | | | | sidewalks are full of vendors selling treats, |
| the tropical scene in Veracruz. | | | | entertainers and much more that you will enjoy. Look |
| Alameda in Mexico City has a shadowy past, but | | | | for them when you visit Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta, La |
| today it is bright with color, young lovers, and great | | | | Paz, Veracruz, and Mazatlan. Of course, the seaside |
| food. The Jardin plaza in San Miguel de Allende is a | | | | towns will have fabulous fresh seafood to try. |
| gathering place for artists of all kinds. You can watch | | | | Food |
| them paint and sketch daily life. | | | | While we are talking food, Mexican recipes cannot be |
| Fireworks | | | | beat for flavor and presentation. Really, jump into the |
| The Mexican people love their fireworks. Every | | | | regional cuisines. All the dishes are made with artistic |
| festival has fireworks displays. Castillos are the most | | | | care. Try new things and do not be afraid to |
| lavish, complete with large constructions, and planning. | | | | experiment. Learn about new spices. You will be |
| The wildest displays are the toros, with men actually | | | | treated to the freshest foods while you are in |
| carrying the fireworks over their shoulders while they | | | | Mexico. Make the most of it. Eat from vendors, |
| run madly through the streets. | | | | cafes, and fine dining restaurants. Your culinary |
| Music | | | | outlook will change completely. |
| Mexico has a rich assortment of music. Guadalajara | | | | Enjoy your travels in Mexico. Submersing yourself in |
| and Mexico City are known for their lively mariachi | | | | another culture actually teaches you more about |
| bands. Boleros stroll about, singing romantic songs | | | | yourself. Take some time to truly observe those |
| that lovers enjoy. Mambos and cha-chas are the | | | | around you. They may eat different foods or have |
| music of choice in the steamy tropical regions. | | | | different habits, but basically we are all the same. |
| If you listen, most Mexican music has a nice dancing | | | | Open yourself up to explore and embrace this |
| beat. Everyone loves to dance in Mexico. Whether | | | | amazing culture. You will not ever be the same. |
| you are watching professional ballet companies or | | | | |