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  • Gastronomic food tour of Puebla

    Gastronomic food tour of Puebla

    Our gastronomic food tour of Puebla began at a glass boutique. Martha appended this to the beginning of our epicurean experience because Joan wanted to see samples of work from artists unique to Puebla. You’ve all seen the clear Mexican water glasses with the blue rims, and this design originated in Puebla. I was overwhelmed…

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  • Mexico’s vibrant malls are indicative of a strong middle class

    Mexico’s vibrant malls are indicative of a strong middle class

    Joan and I visited the Solesta shopping mall in Puebla the other day, and we both remarked how good it felt. It seemed odd to us since the mall represents so much of what we don’t like about the USA: destruction of local businesses, relentless consumerism, and conformity. Perhaps our enjoyment was just nostalgia for…

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  • Some of the nicest supermarkets in the world are in Mexico

    Some of the nicest supermarkets in the world are in Mexico

    It all started in the pursuit of peanut butter. While I’ve occasionally figured out how to smuggle my own peanut butter into Mexico, there comes a time when I need a replenishment. Though it’s not widely available, you can find peanut butter in some of the bigger supermarkets, but it almost always contains excessive amounts…

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  • Photos: Getting beyond Mexican street food in Puebla

    Photos: Getting beyond Mexican street food in Puebla

    Puebla offers some of the most extraordinary food I’ve had in Mexico. In addition to being the root of many traditional Mexican foods like Mole and Chiles en Nogada, Puebla is a hub for Mexican fusion. It’s probably also the one place in Mexico where you can get food from any Mexican state! Comedor 360…

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  • Staying at Casa Spratling, the former silver studio of William Spratling

    Staying at Casa Spratling, the former silver studio of William Spratling

    The period of 1900-1950 marked the Mexican Renaissance and brought us names like Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. It also attracted American born architect, William Spratling, to the tiny silver mining town of Taxco in 1931. He was surprised to find that, despite the mining, there was no silversmithing, and he opened his silversmith shop…

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  • Creating new habits: sketching

    Creating new habits: sketching

    I’ve read that doing something for 3 weeks can create a habit. I figure that at the very least, it’s enough time doing the thing to determine whether I want it to be a habit. As a tour guide, I have a six month off season, which gives me plenty of time to try out…

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