Mexican Lifestyles

Chapala’s Century 21 AccessMex real estate company drew a full house for a free seminar on Mexican immigration and customs policies presented by bilingual legal eagle Spencer McMullen of InterCasa Financial Services.

For American and Canadian RV travelers, road trippers and backpackers who might have a little trepidation these days about a sojourn through the lands of their southern neighbor, Paul Beddows has started mexicotravelbuddies.com to ease their expectations and facilitate meet ups and group trips in Mexico.

Many Reporter readers will already know this but now it’s official: Mexico is one of the best places on earth to retire.

With television programs and online content exploring different facets of life in Mexico,  the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) World News is dedicating February to all things Mexican, as part of a new series highlighting a different country each month.

New absentee voting laws are in effect for the 2012 elections in the United States. Voters will no longer automatically receive ballots based on a previous absentee ballot request.

During the first week of January, Mexican bakeries and grocery outlets will be stocked with rosca de reyes, a crown-shaped lightly sweetened bread decorated with jewel-like candied fruits that is the traditional Kings Day holiday treat.

Before the loaves go in the oven, the baker stuffs one or more tiny baby dolls into the raw dough. The infant figures symbolize hiding of the Christ Child for protection from the bloodthirsty King Herod.

Families and friends customarily gather on January 6 to share a rosca, on the understanding that anyone who cuts a slice studded with a doll will be designated as a godparent of the Baby Jesus and by extension, host for a traditional Dia de la Candelaria (Candlemas) tamale feast to be held on February 2 as the holiday season finale.