Increased solidarity with neighbors. More self-reliance.

I am making a list of the benefits of being suddenly hit with a water outage. So far the list consists of two items — is that even a list? And the items are mutually exclusive. This may suggest there are no benefits to trying to live without water.

The Day of the Dead market (Feria del Cartón y el Juguete) has opened in downtown Guadalajara’s Parque Morelos. 

The seventh edition of Calaverandia, Guadalajara’s annual Day of the Dead theme park, opens October 20 and runs nightly through early November.  

Offering art, music, culture and gastronomy for all ages, this fantasy universe is dedicated entirely to the Mexican tradition of Día de Muertos. But rather than relying on traditional amusement park rides, it blends advanced technology, lighting installations, live theater and cultural installations to celebrate the holiday — with everything accessible along a 1.6-kilometer walking path.

In this monthly series, we republish some headlines from our September editions10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 years ago.

For expats living in Mexico, navigating the subtle differences in Spanish can be either a welcome adventure or a massive headache.

One common point of confusion is how to refer to someone from the United States. 

The Lake Chapala region is widely recognized for its amazingly benign year-round climate. Never mind that bogus claim that National Geographic once rated the area as boasting the world’s second-best climate. It is just an often-repeated myth that was probably invented by some hungry real estate agent.

People here are so used to consistently agreeable temperatures that they tend to grouse a bit any time in winter months that thermometers dip below the 21°C/70°F mark, or soar anywhere near 26°C/80°F at the height of the dry season. Really sensitive folks only need to light fireplaces and turn on space heaters for a few days when it’s cold, or crank up fans and air conditioners when the atmosphere heats up. Most of the time, wardrobe changes suffice to make one comfortable.

Immigrants often rave about the rainy season when local landscapes transform into the lush scenery that inspires painters and nature lovers. But there can be downsides, like lugging around umbrellas and raincoats, repairing leaky roofs, maintaining gardens free of overgrowth, or keeping close watch on laundry left out on the line. And that brings me to why October is my favorite time of year.

As the rains taper off, the weather turns perfectly balmy day in and day out. Neighboring hillsides and mountain peaks remain gorgeous shades of green as wildflowers start popping up along roadsides and at higher elevations. Cheery shades of yellow are dominant.

Morning glories are my favorite of these volunteer “weeds,” a feast for the eyes, especially enjoyed during an early walk. Their particular hue is the most magnificent shade of blue in God’s creation.  Many locals call the flower Manto de María — Mary´s Mantle — in reference to the blessed Virgin.

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