In his famous tome “The Labyrinth of Solitude,” the poet Octavio Paz claims that “the Mexican chases after death, mocks it, courts it, hugs it, and sleeps with it. He thinks of it as his favorite plaything and his most lasting love.”

November 1, All Saints Day, and November 2, All Souls Day, are special dates set aside throughout Mexico as a time of remembrance and communion with the dearly departed.  With a unique mix of elements rooted in ancient Mexico and the European continent, the altar de muertos exemplifies the fusion of old and new world beliefs, rituals and customs. 

Royce Wheeler has retired. After 20 years working for Jaime Niembro at Ajijic Realty, the 80-years-young former physics teacher had decided to take a break.

A hipster alert resounded through Guadalajara and a sea of black-clad “under 30-something’s” descended on Andares Mall last Thursday as Boutique Elnierika hosted a launch party for a limited edition sale of VANS footwear – not just any model of the globally popular skateboard shoe, mind you, but sneakers and high-tops with designs created and hand-sewn by Jalisco’s native Huichol Indians.

Since he was three years old, Gerardo Goss has been fascinated by the Virgin of Zapopan.

Little has changed in the two years since Imelda Virgen, a 40-year-old Guadalajara psychologist, was beaten to death on the orders of her husband. The suspects remain in custody but have yet to be sentenced.

Much to the disappointment of the family, authorities have refused to classify the case as a femicide (a crime motivated by hatred of women), despite the requests of human rights groups.