The reply to AZ comments aren't racist. He was just stating facts about our culture. WE need more comments,conversations about race,can't we come together to agree to disagree. I like all the comments that were given.Some people have stuff done to them, that they can't let go of.
In the 90's and early 00's I was fortunate to spend a lot of time working in Mexico City & Monterrey. I had the opportunity to be exposed to a variety of locations by my local colleagues. The people, history & food were all an education that I treasure.
When I visit Mexico I prefer to jump in a taxi and head to the most 'non-tourist' towns & villages and invite my cabbie to join me for whatever he or she thinks are the best, authentic local specialty... each day I hunt for another small town and get to know those around me, and perhaps end-up with a group of locals, and share a true Mexican feast... that's my jam...
Going to Mexico city in July and somehow someway I was lucky enough to snag a reservation at pujol. But I'm equally excited to just hit the streets and munch my way through the markets. After DF were off to our little home in San Luis Potosi a sleeper spot for amazing food. Cabrito is the specialty and they do it better than anywhere I've ever eaten goat. If you get a chance to go there get it stewed in the salsa verde. Life changing.
I visited Mexico in 1995 with a HS friend, which eventually turned into a group of friends. Really good memories and great people I've come across while traveling all around as a college student then. I would recommend going to Palenque as well and visiting the Ruins, more for experiencing both Aztec and Mayan cultures. Have a happy and 'true' Cinco de Mayo to all!
La Paz, Baja California Sur. It's a vacation spot for Mexicans where people speak enough English for non-Spanish-speaking Americans to get by, but you won't be surrounded by Americans everywhere you go. Nothing against Americans, but being surrounded by Americans defeats the purpose of my travel abroad, which is to enjoy other cultures.
La Paz has some really nice high-end restaurants that will blow your mind, and some great street food too.
Well, it wasn't a trip to Mexico, but we had tacos at Taqueria La Luz at your Chattahoochee Food Works Saturday. They were delish! It was our first trip to the Food Works…we'll definitely be back. Enjoyed the whole afternoon shopping and eating!
Can't contribute much on this because I've only been to Cabo & Cancun....touristy stuff, but Mexico City and Oaxaca are two places I need to go. Just wanted to thank you for the refresher history lesson, and for this: "It’s heartbreaking that a day of remembrance and resistance has been watered down to the point that its essentially only known for sombreros and cerveza sales. And that’s a worrisome American tradition, isn’t it?" YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT IT'S WORRISOME!!!
You had me until I read your, “ because the culprit is our ethnocentrism, our culture’s inherent racist mindset”, comment. I’m tired of having you “celebs” telling us that we’re a nasty, racist country and responsible for all the World’s problems. I’ve tried to overlook all of your Trump hatred and Libra-babble and just enjoy your cooking information, but enough is enough! I’m gone!
I initially chafed at this line as well, because I know a lot of people who aren't racist are tired of being made to feel like they are. I totally get it!
Usually what I try to do in this situation is set aside my personal bristling and ask myself if there's any "there" there. In this case, I grew up in a part of California (which was once a part of Mexico) where Mexican-Americans were (still are) the majority. There's actually a ton of racism toward, and stereotyping of, Mexican-Americans - I've seen it firsthand.
And of course how we've treated Cinco de Mayo is pretty similar to our treatment of St. Patrick's Day and the Irish (commercialization, stereotyping), who endured mountains of bigotry that wasn't race-based. I think the real problem here, which we've seen over and over and over again throughout our history, is bigotry and stereotyping of new arrivals. And it is not a peculiarly American problem - it occurs in many countries.
Stosh, I hope you don't leave for this reason: You can't make a difference in the conversation if you're not here, and Americans retreating to opposite corners of the ring isn't making anything better. I'd rather we all get past the shorthand statements that trigger anger and hear each other out.
I agree with Holly, don’t go. We need to have real conversation, especially around this stuff.
Stosh, I would ask you from your perspective ‘what did I get wrong here?’ or ‘what am I not getting?’?
Our ethnocentric and racist behavior in America is well documented and is factual, so in a short column I didn’t feel the need to lay it all out there again.
Well said. I follow AZ for a lot of reasons, and similarly I don’t agree with all of his words. That’s ok. Some of those words make me take a lil look inward, and that’s something we all could do more of. Some of his words make me want to tell him he’s nuts. And I’m sure if he heard or read everything I said or did. He’d say the same about me. But in this case…I’m not the one with a billion travel miles under my belt, I’m not the one with 30+ years of witnessing behaviors in other countries. So I’m ok with the words, it’s an opinion based on observance. And just my lil opinion…have to say…absolutely love the posts that get people talking. Whether opinions, recommendations or just antidotal…so relatable.
During the 80's we would go to TJ, Mexicali, Rosarito & Ensenada all the time. What I remember most was how delicious the seafood tasted & how friendly the locals were.
Oh, and I was watching Pati's Mexican Table yesterday and she was in Altata....looked really inviting.
Pati Jinich is bomb...
The reply to AZ comments aren't racist. He was just stating facts about our culture. WE need more comments,conversations about race,can't we come together to agree to disagree. I like all the comments that were given.Some people have stuff done to them, that they can't let go of.
In the 90's and early 00's I was fortunate to spend a lot of time working in Mexico City & Monterrey. I had the opportunity to be exposed to a variety of locations by my local colleagues. The people, history & food were all an education that I treasure.
When I visit Mexico I prefer to jump in a taxi and head to the most 'non-tourist' towns & villages and invite my cabbie to join me for whatever he or she thinks are the best, authentic local specialty... each day I hunt for another small town and get to know those around me, and perhaps end-up with a group of locals, and share a true Mexican feast... that's my jam...
Going to Mexico city in July and somehow someway I was lucky enough to snag a reservation at pujol. But I'm equally excited to just hit the streets and munch my way through the markets. After DF were off to our little home in San Luis Potosi a sleeper spot for amazing food. Cabrito is the specialty and they do it better than anywhere I've ever eaten goat. If you get a chance to go there get it stewed in the salsa verde. Life changing.
I love the way you always remind us of the HUMAN side of food and travel and to be respectful and kind and curious and accepting. Thank you.
I visited Mexico in 1995 with a HS friend, which eventually turned into a group of friends. Really good memories and great people I've come across while traveling all around as a college student then. I would recommend going to Palenque as well and visiting the Ruins, more for experiencing both Aztec and Mayan cultures. Have a happy and 'true' Cinco de Mayo to all!
La Paz, Baja California Sur. It's a vacation spot for Mexicans where people speak enough English for non-Spanish-speaking Americans to get by, but you won't be surrounded by Americans everywhere you go. Nothing against Americans, but being surrounded by Americans defeats the purpose of my travel abroad, which is to enjoy other cultures.
La Paz has some really nice high-end restaurants that will blow your mind, and some great street food too.
I loved my short time in Huatulco.
Well, it wasn't a trip to Mexico, but we had tacos at Taqueria La Luz at your Chattahoochee Food Works Saturday. They were delish! It was our first trip to the Food Works…we'll definitely be back. Enjoyed the whole afternoon shopping and eating!
Can't contribute much on this because I've only been to Cabo & Cancun....touristy stuff, but Mexico City and Oaxaca are two places I need to go. Just wanted to thank you for the refresher history lesson, and for this: "It’s heartbreaking that a day of remembrance and resistance has been watered down to the point that its essentially only known for sombreros and cerveza sales. And that’s a worrisome American tradition, isn’t it?" YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT IT'S WORRISOME!!!
You had me until I read your, “ because the culprit is our ethnocentrism, our culture’s inherent racist mindset”, comment. I’m tired of having you “celebs” telling us that we’re a nasty, racist country and responsible for all the World’s problems. I’ve tried to overlook all of your Trump hatred and Libra-babble and just enjoy your cooking information, but enough is enough! I’m gone!
I initially chafed at this line as well, because I know a lot of people who aren't racist are tired of being made to feel like they are. I totally get it!
Usually what I try to do in this situation is set aside my personal bristling and ask myself if there's any "there" there. In this case, I grew up in a part of California (which was once a part of Mexico) where Mexican-Americans were (still are) the majority. There's actually a ton of racism toward, and stereotyping of, Mexican-Americans - I've seen it firsthand.
And of course how we've treated Cinco de Mayo is pretty similar to our treatment of St. Patrick's Day and the Irish (commercialization, stereotyping), who endured mountains of bigotry that wasn't race-based. I think the real problem here, which we've seen over and over and over again throughout our history, is bigotry and stereotyping of new arrivals. And it is not a peculiarly American problem - it occurs in many countries.
Stosh, I hope you don't leave for this reason: You can't make a difference in the conversation if you're not here, and Americans retreating to opposite corners of the ring isn't making anything better. I'd rather we all get past the shorthand statements that trigger anger and hear each other out.
I agree with Holly, don’t go. We need to have real conversation, especially around this stuff.
Stosh, I would ask you from your perspective ‘what did I get wrong here?’ or ‘what am I not getting?’?
Our ethnocentric and racist behavior in America is well documented and is factual, so in a short column I didn’t feel the need to lay it all out there again.
Well said. I follow AZ for a lot of reasons, and similarly I don’t agree with all of his words. That’s ok. Some of those words make me take a lil look inward, and that’s something we all could do more of. Some of his words make me want to tell him he’s nuts. And I’m sure if he heard or read everything I said or did. He’d say the same about me. But in this case…I’m not the one with a billion travel miles under my belt, I’m not the one with 30+ years of witnessing behaviors in other countries. So I’m ok with the words, it’s an opinion based on observance. And just my lil opinion…have to say…absolutely love the posts that get people talking. Whether opinions, recommendations or just antidotal…so relatable.
During the 80's we would go to TJ, Mexicali, Rosarito & Ensenada all the time. What I remember most was how delicious the seafood tasted & how friendly the locals were.