In a quirky historical twist, two celebratory days in the first week of May (Dia del Trabajo and Cinco de Mayo) had their origins in the United States and Mexico respectively, but are today more widely observed in the other country.

April 22, 1992, 10.03 a.m. Manhole covers begin flying from the streets of Guadalajara’s Reforma district. White smoke streams out from the sewers.

U.S. actor Andy Garcia brings to life Jalisco-born General Enrique Gorostieta in the new English-language movie “Cristiada,” which opens on 500 screens across Mexico Friday, April 20.

The Chapala Yacht Club has been buzzing with activity over the Easter holidays as a select bunch of youngsters takes advantage of their vacation time to pick up the pace of training for Mexico’s 2012 season of major sailing competitions.

Stunning scenery, handsome period costumes and dramatic action provided plenty of visual splendor to captivate the throngs attending the various episodes of the 2012 Ajijic Passion Play.  In each sequence, the eyes of the spectators were constantly drawn to Felipe de Jesus Angulo Marquez playing the lead role of Jesus of Nazareth.

Most retirees would probably balk at the idea of driving a car full of Mexican kids from Ajijic to Guadalajara and back again every weekend, simply to spend an hour barking instructions at them from the touchline of a soccer field.