The dry season here in Jalisco provides us with two different worlds: sere peaks and dusty upland valleys contrasting with the relatively watered cities and lake shores.

In the Jalisco highlands, that alarming visitor the alacran (scorpion) usually shows up indoors in largest numbers during the rainy season and during the breezy months of February and March.

The “hot spring” that occurs below the Tropic of Cancer is hard with us now. It has turned el campo (the countryside) surrounding Guadalajara to powdery browns and grays.

Forget New Years resolutions.  Most folks trash them by February’s end. Contemplate these facts a moment: Our brains shrink approximately one half a percent a year. 

This article was originally published in the August 14-20, 2004 edition. Allyn Hunt is a former editor of this newspaper.

Nacho Hernandez sat on his muddy horse staring across his milpa at the salto of dark red runoff slashing through a carefully planted field of corn. He snorted and swore.

This column was first published June 21, 1997.

Spending time in Mexico means learning Spanish — if you want that time to have much significance.