Tag Archives: Kary vannice

Huatulco

Ancient Answers to a Modern Food Crisis? Look to the Sierra Sur

1 Comment

By Kary Vannice

As global supply chains wobble and climate change disrupts food production around the world, we are beginning to see evidence of a system that is far more “at risk” than we once thought, calling into question the sustainability of imported, prepackaged, and profit-driven food systems.

Because of the obvious vulnerability of such a vast and complex food network, more and more countries and communities are starting to talk about the necessity to rely less on outside sources and are asking the question, “How can we provide for the needs of our people, independent of outside resources?”

The Sierra Sur Region

And the answer may be found in the most unassuming of places, and very close to home for many of us, the high mountain region of Oaxaca’s Sierra Sur. Contrary to popular belief, the best way forward may be to go back in time to a food production and distribution concept that’s been around for centuries.

Unlike the more familiar concept of food security, which focuses on access to enough calories to feed a population, food sovereignty speaks to a deeper right. It is the right of people to grow, distribute, and consume food in ways that are culturally appropriate, ecologically sustainable, and locally controlled.

A Resilient Food System

The Sierra Sur’s working model of a decentralized, cooperative, and land-honoring food system challenges modern day industrial norms; it also proves that the practices of working in community, diversifying crops, saving seeds, and using natural fertilizers increase and ensure food security.

Here, agricultural practices are resilient by design. Families cultivate the land using practices passed down for generations. At the center of this model is the traditional milpa, planting corn, beans, and squash together in the same plot. Each plant supports the others: the corn gives the beans something to climb, the beans fix nitrogen in the soil, and the squash shades the earth to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Some plots also include sunflowers to attract pollinators, chili plants to deter pests, and nitrogen-fixing legumes to improve soil structure and support long-term fertility.

This system is efficient, natural, and balanced, unlike the industrial approach to agriculture that relies on vast tracts of monocrops that often require chemical pesticides and herbicides to assure a profitable harvest – chemicals that deplete the land of nutrients and contribute to soil erosion.

This high mountain terrain is notoriously challenging to cultivate, but farmers here still employ the ancient technique developed centuries ago of expertly terracing the land. This allows families to farm steep, rugged hillsides and utilize natural rainwater irrigation systems that require very little modern infrastructure.

And because food is grown close to where it’s eaten, the system isn’t vulnerable to supply chain breakdowns or fuel price hikes. There’s no need to transport goods across long distances, and no middleman taking profits. Small local markets and neighbor-to-neighbor bartering ensure that food moves efficiently within the community. Trade is based on trust and relationships, not price and profit.

Unlike the global supply chain, this local distribution model keeps food accessible, affordable, and in the hands of the community. And if one farmer experiences a surplus, it’s managed through sharing, trade, or local sale. This keeps both waste and overproduction in check.

In contrast to countries like the United States, where government subsidies incentivize farmers to overproduce low-nutrient crops like corn, soy, and wheat — often flooding the market, driving down prices, and sometimes resulting in crops being dumped or left to rot — the food system in the Sierra Sur is built on intention. Waste is minimal because everything grown has a purpose and value within the community.

The Benefits of Food Sovereignty

And while these systems may not scale neatly into industrial agriculture, they do offer a meaningful answer to the food sovereignty question. The shift isn’t necessarily about changing the physical system — it’s about implementing a different value system. One whose guiding principles are diversity over uniformity, local over distant, cooperation over competition, enough over excess, and care over control.

But most importantly, this food model is socially regenerative. It empowers communities to care for their own needs without dependence on multinational corporations, fragile import systems, or debt-based agricultural schemes. It keeps the knowledge, value, and power of food in the hands of the people who grow it. And maybe that’s exactly what the world needs right now: not a new invention, but a return to what has always worked.

 

Huatulco

The Eight Regions of Oaxaca

Leave a comment

By Kary Vannice

Oaxaca, a state in southern Mexico, is officially divided into eight regions. These regions are not administrative divisions like municipalities or states, but they are recognized officially by the state government and widely used for planning, cultural identification, and statistical purposes.

How Did These Regions Come to Be?

There are a variety of reasons for the existence of the eight regions. The most basic is Oaxaca’s geography and ecosystems. The natural environment varies widely across Oaxaca—from mountains and forests to coasts and valleys—shaping economies and lifestyles. The mountains and rivers in particular can isolate one area from another, although rivers also provide transportation from one location to another.

Each region’s historical and cultural identity is determined by its distinct mix of indigenous groups, languages, traditions, and history, and how these characteristics and events have evolved over time.

The government planning agencies use the regional divisions in designing and implementing development projects, educational programs, and infrastructure efforts more effectively. INEGI (Mexico’s national institutes of statistics and geography) and other agencies use the regional breakdown for statistical data collection through surveys and census work, thus perpetuating the regional districts.

While the regions are not political divisions like states or municipalities, they are officially recognized and serve cultural and functional purposes. Here’s a brief summary of the defining characteristics of each region of Oaxaca.

Valles Centrales (Central Valleys)
– Capital region; includes Oaxaca City
– Cultural and economic heart of the state
– Known for Zapotec heritage and artisanal crafts

Sierra Norte (Northern Sierra)
– Mountainous and forested
– Strong indigenous communities (Zapotec and Mixe)
– Rich in ecotourism and biodiversity

Sierra Sur (Southern Sierra)
– Remote and rugged
– Primarily Zapotec and Mixtec populations
– Known for traditional farming and coffee production

Cañada
– Narrow region in the northeast
– Predominantly Mazatec population
– Noted for herbal medicine and natural springs

Mixteca
– One of the most culturally distinct regions
– Home to the Mixtec people
– Struggles with soil erosion and migration, but rich in ancient history

Costa (Coast)
– Includes Huatulco, Puerto Escondido, and other beach areas
– Ethnically diverse (Afro-Mexican, Chatino, Mixtec)
– Fishing, tourism, and farming

Istmo de Tehuantepec (The Isthmus)
– Geographically strategic narrow land bridge
– Predominantly Zapotec with strong Isthmus identity
– Known for wind farms, matriarchal traditions, and cultural festivals

Papaloapan (also called Cuenca (basin) del Papaloapan)
– Northern tropical lowlands along the Papaloapan River
– Ethnically diverse (Chinantec, Mazatec, Mestizo)
– Sugarcane and tropical fruit production, other small-scale industrialization
– Continuous with the basin and delta of the Papaloapan in Veracruz

Huatulco

Sensory Sensitivity Meets Cultural Reality in Mexico

Leave a comment

By Kary Vannice

For the sensory sensitive traveler, Mexico can be a challenge. If you’re planning to visit, or stay for a while, no doubt you’re already anticipating the delicious spicy food, warm hospitality, and the vibrant colorful culture that Mexico is known for. But there are some very real sensory and cultural differences that some foreigners aren’t prepared for until they come face to face with them. Being unprepared can turn something delightful into something disorienting or even disturbing, depending on your level of preparation and understanding. The key to truly enjoying Mexican culture isn’t to try to change it to suit your comfort zone—but to shift your expectations and adapt to your surroundings.

Even if you don’t identify as particularly sensory sensitive, Mexico may still throw you a few cultural curveballs, so knowing how to deal with them gracefully and respectfully in advance can mean you get to have a good time and you don’t have to ask Mexico not to be Mexico.

It won’t take long before you realize that most of Mexico is loud (at least by foreign standards). Whether it’s music blasting from a nearby store or café, fireworks before sunrise for a saint’s day celebration, or street vendors shouting their daily offerings through a loudspeaker—Mexico is a full-on auditory experience.

Celebration is a part of everyday life in Mexico. Music, fireworks, parades, and community gatherings often involve sound levels that would be considered noise violations in other countries. Most Mexicans aren’t conditioned to need silence to relax, so there are no “quiet hours.” These sounds aren’t disturbances—they’re expressions of joy. It’s Mexicans living their best life, and when foreigners insist on lowering the volume or making complaints, they are asking the locals to lessen their enjoyment of life.

But there are ways to cope. First, pay attention to daily rhythms—afternoon siesta often brings a lull and can be a great time to rest. If you see a party, join in instead of resisting. Mexicans are some of the most welcoming people on the planet and live by the ethos: the more the merrier. If you’re sensitive to sound, invest in quality earplugs or noise-canceling headphones. And most important, accept that the noise isn’t a cultural flaw—it’s a feature.

Another sensory difference that might catch you off guard is personal space—or the lack of it. In many Mexican communities, people naturally stand closer together, touch more often, and greet others with a hug or kiss on the cheek, even if you’ve only just met. For someone from another culture, this can feel like an invasion of space.

The local culture places high value on connection and warmth. Touch is seen as a sign of respect and caring, not a threat to autonomy or an invasion of space. Physical closeness indicates trust. But, if you don’t feel comfortable touching or even standing close to people you don’t know, Mexico can be a challenge.

It’s important to keep in mind that their perception of personal space is different from yours, so they genuinely won’t understand your discomfort. Relax your body when your personal space is invaded and set gentle boundaries after you build rapport but do it with humor and kindness. Mexicans love to joke around and are quick to laugh if you keep things light. It can also help to simply observe the locals as they move in and around each other. You’ll soon see that they are as warm with strangers as they are with family. You’ll likely learn to appreciate the beauty and tenderness of these simple gestures.

Time might not have a sensory quality, but for many of us, punctuality is a deeply ingrained expectation. And in Mexico, this will likely present a greater challenge than either noise or touch. Time here is flexible, fluid … and often late.

You may arrive at a dinner party “on time” and find you’re the only person there for the first hour. A plumber who promised to arrive “a las diez” might show up at noon. In Mexico, time is more suggestion than commandment.

This isn’t about disrespect. It’s simply that Mexican culture prioritizes relationships over rigid scheduling. Things unfold when they unfold. Trying to force your sense of urgency onto that rhythm rarely works, and often backfires. Taking it personally is pointless. Complaining about it won’t change deeply embedded cultural beliefs and ways of being. Complaining about lateness or feeling personally offended will only hurt you, because from a cultural perspective, no offense has occurred.

The best solution? Build in “buffer” time. Don’t schedule back-to-back commitments counting on things to run on time. Use this time to your advantage by always carrying a book, podcast or magazine with you. It’s a chance to loosen your grip on control and start living a little more in the moment, like the locals do.

If on your travels you find yourself wishing things were quieter, more spacious, or more “efficient” … pause. Take a minute to recognize that the discomfort you’re feeling isn’t a sign that something is wrong with Mexico. It’s a sign that your cultural expectations are being stretched.

Take a breath and remind yourself: this is the whole point of travel…growth, expansion, and understanding.

The most meaningful experiences come not from controlling your environment, but from surrendering to it. From witnessing a culture on its own terms, not yours. From expanding your comfort zone, not policing everyone else’s.

Allow the experience with openness, curiosity, humility, and a willingness to be changed.

Because if you let it, Mexico will not only surprise you; it will transform you.

Huatulco

5 Things: San Miguel de Allende

Leave a comment

By Kary Vannice

San Miguel de Allende is a picturesque city famous for its Spanish colonial architecture, colorful facades, cobblestone streets, and thriving artistic scene. Just a few hours from Mexico City, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a perfect blend of culture, cuisine, and relaxation. With its mix of colonial charm and modern creativity, the town provides an enchanting escape where visitors can immerse themselves in history, adventure, and natural beauty. Whether you’re an art lover, foodie, or simply seeking a memorable escape, here are five things to experience in San Miguel de Allende.

1. Stay at Casa de la Cuesta

For a truly authentic and immersive stay, book a room at Casa de la Cuesta, a charming bed and breakfast showcasing traditional Mexican architecture and décor. Located just a short walk from the town’s central plaza, you’ll be treated to photo-worthy views, comfortable accommodations, and a relaxing courtyard. Guests can enjoy traditional breakfasts featuring local ingredients and explore the in-house mask museum, a fascinating tribute to indigenous cultures.

2. Dine at Rústica

It’s a must to have breakfast or lunch at Rústica, one of San Miguel’s hidden gems. Known for its fresh, locally sourced ingredients and cozy outdoor garden ambiance, you’ll want to stay for hours, chatting with friends and sipping coffee or chai. The unique, ultra-fresh menu features breakfast pizza (my personal favorite), a mouthwatering fig, arugula, and serrano pizza, and many vegetarian and vegan options, like the popular vegan Chilaquiles. The café’s laid-back vibe and friendly service make it a local favorite.

3. Visit the Fabrica La Aurora

Art enthusiasts will love spending an afternoon at Fabrica La Aurora, a former textile factory transformed into a dynamic art and design center. The space houses galleries, studios, and shops featuring contemporary and traditional Mexican art. You’ll find paintings, sculptures, textiles, and jewelry from talented local artists, as well as interior design shops, restaurants, and cafes. Many galleries also offer workshops and art classes, providing you with the opportunity to participate in the creative vibe.

4. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride

For a breathtaking view of San Miguel de Allende’s rolling hills and vibrant townscape, embark on a hot air balloon ride at sunrise. Floating high above the city, you’ll start your morning bathed in golden light illuminating the iconic Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel and the surrounding countryside. Many tour operators offer packages that include breakfast and a celebratory toast after your flight, making it a magical and memorable experience you’ll never forget!

5. Visit Cañada de la Virgen

Once you’ve had your fill of San Miguel’s colonial architecture, step back in time by visiting Cañada de la Virgen, a nearby ancient archaeological site. A short drive outside of the city, this Mesoamerican pyramid complex offers guided tours that provide fascinating insights into the rituals and astronomical knowledge of the Otomi people. It’s an experience that’s both educational and awe-inspiring, with spectacular views of the rolling Mexican countryside.

San Miguel de Allende has been honored multiple times by Condé Nast Traveler in its Readers’ Choice Awards. In 2024, it was named the “Best City in Mexico and the World,” marking its fifth appearance at the top of the “Best Small Cities” list.

San Miguel’s charm lies in its vibrant culture, artistic soul, and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re wandering through its historic streets, popping into shops and art galleries, savoring the rich flavors of the local cuisine, or sipping cocktails as the sun sets from a charming rooftop bar, every moment here feels like an unforgettable adventure. This town offers a perfect balance of relaxation and discovery, allowing you to experience its magic at your own pace.

Huatulco

The Thrill of the Hunt: Gem Hunting Adventures in Mexico

Leave a comment

By Kary Vannice

Mexico is home to a rich mining history, with an abundance of precious stones and minerals waiting to be discovered. From opals and quartz to silver and other rare gems, the country offers tourists an exciting opportunity to explore mines, dig for their own gemstones, and learn about deep-rooted mining traditions. Whether you’re an amateur rockhound or a seasoned collector, gem-hunting destinations throughout Mexico provide a unique blend of adventure, history, and hands-on experience.

Mining has been at the heart of Mexico’s story for centuries. Long before the Spanish arrived, the Aztecs and Mayans were using obsidian, jade, and turquoise for tools, jewelry, and ceremonial purposes. When the Spanish set their sights on Mexico’s land, they found an abundance of silver, gold, and other precious minerals, turning places like Guanajuato and Zacatecas into some of the richest mining hubs in the world. Today, that legacy is still alive—not just in the country’s continued mineral production, but in the hands-on experiences available to those who want to dig a little deeper into history (literally).

The Opals of Querétaro

One of the best places to experience this first hand is in the opal mines of Querétaro, near the charming town of Tequisquiapan. The journey begins with a rugged ride up into the hills, where miners have been extracting these fiery gems for generations. Once you arrive on-site, a professional guide explains the area’s geology and teaches participants how to recognize raw opals hidden within the rocks. Visitors are then handed tools and set free to start digging. For some, the rush of excitement when discovering a glimmering stone is well worth the effort, and even for those who don’t find a gem to take home, the stunning views of the Querétaro countryside make the experience equally rewarding.

There’s Silver in Zacatecas

For a completely different kind of mining adventure, head to Zacatecas and step into the depths of Mina El Edén. Once one of the richest silver mines in the world, this underground labyrinth now serves as a fascinating tourist attraction. A small train takes visitors through dimly lit tunnels, past displays of rare minerals and ancient mining tools. The stories of miners who once toiled in the depths add an element of intrigue and bring the bygone days of silver mining to life. And for those seeking a truly unique experience, stick around after dark—this mine is also home to a nightclub, where you can dance the night away inside a mountain.

The Ghost Mines of Mineral de Pozos

Further south in Guanajuato, the ghost town of Mineral de Pozos tells a haunting story of a once-thriving mining community. Mineral de Pozos lay along the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (The Royal Road of the Interior), a major trade route that ran from what is now Mexico City north to what is now Santa Fe, New Mexico. On the Camino Real traveled minerals – most importantly, gold and silver – from the mines in San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, and Guanajuato – Mineral de Pozos was one stop along the way.

The Santa Brigida Mine, with its distinctive stone structures, stands as a monument to Mexico’s mining past. Here, you can wander through the ruins of old mines, their crumbling stone structures still standing as a reminder of a once-booming industry. Trained guides lead visitors through abandoned shafts and tailing piles, where you can sift through rubble in search of small mineral specimens. This connects visitors to the miners who once labored here, and the haunting, picturesque scenery provides great photo opportunities too.

The Mining History Hidden under Guanajuato

In the heart of Guanajuato City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, mining history comes alive in an even more immersive way. The labyrinthine tunnels winding through the city were originally mining passageways, and some of the region’s most famous mines, like La Valenciana, once produced an astonishing percentage of the world’s silver. Walking through these tunnels, visitors can see mineral veins up close, learn about the city’s role in Mexico’s economic history, and once you’ve explored the underground, you can take a ride on the city’s gondola to enjoy breathtaking views from high above the city where mining once flourished.

Whether descending into the depths of a historic silver mine, chipping away at rock to reveal blazing fire opals, or simply admiring Mexico’s rich geological diversity, these destinations offer unforgettable experiences for adventurers and gem enthusiasts alike. Each location tells a different chapter of Mexico’s long mining history, and every visit brings the possibility of uncovering something truly special. If you’re ready for an adventure that blends history, discovery, and natural beauty, these Mexican gem-hunting destinations are waiting to be explored.

Huatulco

Ice Crystals of Emotion

Leave a comment

By Kary Vannice

Water is more than just a vital substance to sustain life. For centuries, humans seem to have known it holds mysteries that bridge science and spirituality. From ancient creation stories to modern scientific studies, water is valued not only for its life-sustaining properties but also for its deeper, hidden potential. In the early 90s, Dr. Masaru Emoto, a Japanese researcher, set out to prove water’s ability to interact with human consciousness and answer the question: Does water respond to thoughts, energies, and emotions?

Our daily life is intimately intertwined with water. Not one living thing on planet Earth can survive without it. Humans are composed of 60-70% water, and the human brain is nearly 85% water. This physical connection hints at a deeper relationship – one where water reflects our internal state and acts as a conduit of energy and information.

In his book, Hidden Messages in Water (2005), Dr. Emoto demonstrated water’s potential to reflect and retain emotional and energetic imprints. His studies involved imprinting water with various words, intentions, and music before freezing it and photographing the resulting ice crystals. Water samples exposed to positive expressions formed intricate, symmetrical patterns, resembling snowflakes. Water exposed to negative words or feelings, on the other hand, produced chaotic patterns and irregular shapes. These results represented visual proof of water’s sensitivity to external stimuli, suggesting that it might be more than just a passive resource. It might actually be interacting with the energies around it, and be impacted by feelings, thoughts, words, and intentions.

This sensitivity is not a new idea, however. In Native American traditions, rivers are revered as sacred beings that sustain life and connect the spiritual and physical worlds. Aztec mythology celebrates Chalchiuhtlicue, the goddess of water, fertility, and childbirth, who is seen as the provider of life-giving rain. These ancient perspectives align with the notion that water is more than a substance, it’s an energetic force woven into the fabric of life itself.

The unique molecular structure that allows water to interact with its surroundings seems to also allow it to retain information from its environment, creating what is known as “water memory.” It is believed that water carries imprints that influence its behavior. Knowing this is true, it could be said that water acts almost like the subconscious mind, which stores impressions from our experiences and interactions.

Many spiritual traditions teach that everything is “mind” and speak of the “primordial waters” as the background energy of all creation. It seems science now also links water to mind and substance to unseen energy.

In the Christian Bible, the “water of life” flows from the throne of God, symbolizing eternal life and spiritual renewal. The Quran also emphasizes water’s foundational role: “We made from water every living thing.” And in the Hindu tradition, the cosmic churning of the ocean symbolizes the origins of life, the universe, and the nectar of immortality. In almost every spiritual tradition, water is seen as both the origin of life and a medium for spiritual connection and renewal.

Since both ancient wisdom and modern science support the idea that we are always in a two-way conversation with the water in us and around us, choosing more positive emotions, thoughts, and intentions can have a profound effect on both our internal and external worlds.

This unique quality of water is a testament to the interconnectedness and interdependence of all things, a reminder that we are not separate from the world around us. It demonstrates that even the smallest ripple of emotion can grow into a wave, reaching places we may never see. Knowing water carries information gives us the opportunity to contribute to a positive flow of energy that uplifts not only ourselves but also the environment we live in.

The mystery of water’s intelligence may never be fully understood, but the lessons from Dr. Emoto’s work are profound, and offer us the opportunity to interact with water in a more intentional and empowered way. So, the question is, how will you interact with water today?

Huatulco

Beyond the Battlefield: The Impact of the Mexican Revolution on Women’s Rights

Leave a comment

By Kary Vannice

On October 1st, 2024, Mexico experienced a historic moment – the inauguration of its first female president, a paradigm shift long in the making that started partly with the gun-toting Adelitas and soldaderas (see article by Frances López elsewhere in this issue) who fought alongside men during the Mexican Revolution (1910-±21), but more so because of the fundamental shift in family structures and social norms of the time. Women were presented with opportunity born out of necessity, and they made the most of it.

With the men away waging war, women were not only able but required to break out of their traditional roles as wives and mothers. They became leaders and active participants in political, social, and labor movements. The impacts of the revolution spread far beyond the front lines and bled right down into rural communities, upending their way of life, leaving countless widows and orphans behind, and breaking down social structures. Grassroots, women-led initiatives focused on providing education, healthcare, and social services. They formed mutual aid societies designed specifically to address the needs of women.

Suddenly, women became the primary decision-makers and breadwinners in their homes. They started managing farms, businesses, and household finances, all responsibilities previously considered male domains. If they didn’t have a business to run, they entered the workforce as factory workers in industries like textiles, tobacco, and food production. Other women stepped even deeper into male roles, operating trains, driving vehicles, and working as messengers. These more dangerous jobs were crucial for moving goods, transporting troops, and relaying information to support the war effort. Women serving in these roles defied societal expectations of physical capability and mental fortitude.

As more women advanced in business and industry, they began to exert their influence in labor unions, organizing strikes, leading labor movements, and advocating for workers’ rights. For women to lead public political movements, in both urban and rural areas, was groundbreaking at the time. Many of these women have been lost to history, but one woman, Juana Belén Gutiérrez de Mendoza (1875-1942), a professor, journalist, and outspoken activist who led a national campaign for better wages, safer working conditions, and shorter work hours, remains in the history books as a prominent leader of the feminist movement.

Other feminist leaders, such as Hermila Galindo (1886-1954) and Elvia Carrillo Puerto (1878-1967), seized the political and social chaos of the Revolution to advocate for women’s right to vote, reproductive rights, and access to education, spearheading social movements to secure women’s rights in the long term.

The Revolution led to a nearly decade-long shift in family structures, granting women the financial independence and economic bargaining power to challenge patriarchal norms. Though this period was brief, it was significant for the advancement of women’s rights. Once the war ended, women were expected to return to their traditional roles as wives and mothers, but enough progress had been made to change the Mexican socio-political landscape forever.

The 1917 Constitution instituted new labor laws, including fair wages, reasonable working hours, and safe working conditions. And, more importantly, it specifically addressed women workers, guaranteeing maternity leave and making it illegal to fire a woman for becoming pregnant. New constitutional laws also mandated free schooling for all citizens, improving women’s access to education, particularly in rural areas. Although women did not gain the right to vote until 1953, they had officially become a political force in Mexico, advancing the feminist agenda and bringing attention to gender inequality.

One might think that, now, with a woman seated in the highest office in the land, women have “arrived” at full and total equality with men in Mexico. But if you ask any woman here if that’s the case, you will likely hear sentiments reminiscent of those expressed by feminist leader Hermila Galindo: “I firmly and intensely believe that women deserve a better fate than that which has been bestowed upon them by the legislation of all the eras prior to the present.”

Perhaps with a woman leading the country, what these revolutionary women fought for will finally come to pass.

Huatulco

From Fields to Films: How Popcorn Became a Global Movie Theater Staple

Leave a comment

By Kary Vannice

What is more synonymous with cinema than popcorn? For most, the mere smell of popcorn conjures up images of dimming lights, hushed theaters, and the blissful escape of uninterrupted entertainment. But how did popcorn become so ubiquitous in movie theaters around the world?

Corn itself was discovered as a wild grass in southern Mexico around 10,000 years ago. Once domesticated, it quickly became the core of the Mexican diet for foods like tortillas, tamales, and the corn-based drink atole, but the origins of popcorn are still up for debate.

Popcorn – from Its Origins to the Theater

Some historians claim that popcorn originated in Peru, where it is known that the Aztecs used it as offerings to their gods, believing the popping sound represented the spirits of their ancestors being released. It was also used to decorate clothing and headdresses in that region. Others argue that the oldest evidence of popped corn is from modern-day New Mexico (which was part of Mexico at the time), where 5,600-year-old intact ears of popcorn were found.

The journals of early French explorers in the 1600s document being introduced to popcorn by the Iroquois people in the Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada. Colonial families soon adopted popcorn into their diets, eating it for breakfast with milk and sugar—making popcorn not only a modern-day cinema snack but also one of the original breakfast cereals!

By the 1800s, popcorn had become a popular holiday decoration due to its low cost and festive shape. One of the first commercial popcorn ventures was Cracker Jack in the 1870s. By the 1900s, popcorn was being popped in many American homes and was a favorite snack at festivals, fairs, and sporting events. But it wasn’t something you could munch in a movie theater until the Great Depression. During Hollywood’s Golden Age of Cinema, kicked off by the “talkies” in the 1920s, theater owners felt that popcorn was too lowbrow for the refined movie-going experience, and they refused to sell it in cinemas. However, after the financial crash, when fewer people were attending movies, theater operators discovered that selling popcorn helped keep their doors open due to its accessibility and affordability.

Upscaling Popcorn

Popcorn has remained a mainstay in movie theaters since the 1930s. Buckets of buttery popcorn are still available around the world today, but in some regions, this humble kernel has been elevated to culinary heights that reflect local tastes and traditions.

Standard popcorn selections in most theaters now include cheddar cheese, caramel, or sweet kettle corn. In Mexico, you can also get popcorn mixed with other snacks like Cheetos, Doritos, and Takis, adding a spicy, crunchy twist to the classic snack.

In Japan, you’ll find popcorn in flavors like honey, milk tea, curry, and corn potage, reflecting the country’s penchant for sweet and savory blends. Indian theaters offer more exotic options, such as miso soup, Za’atar, Thai red coconut, and anchovy garlic popcorn, infusing global spices into every bite. In the Caribbean, coconut lime popcorn, made with coconut oil, lime zest, and salt, offers a refreshing tropical flavor. Ethiopia’s Berbere popcorn is a spicy, aromatic delight made with a traditional Ethiopian spice blend that includes chili peppers, paprika, and ginger. The Philippines adds a punch with barbeque or wasabi powder, while European theaters take it to another level with gourmet additions like truffles and grated Parmesan.

Whether you’re a popcorn purist—”straight butter, please”—or someone who enjoys elevating your popcorn experience with unique flavors, popcorn and movies have become so intertwined that even in the age of streaming, popping a bowl of popcorn can instantly transform a regular night into a full-fledged “movie night” experience.

Popcorn’s evolution from an ancient snack to a global cinema staple is a testament to its adaptability and universal appeal. From sacred offerings and breakfast bowls to buckets at the movies, popcorn has grown into a timeless part of the movie experience. It’s more than just a snack; it’s a piece of cinema history—a symbol of enjoyment, nostalgia, and shared moments that connect us all, one kernel at a time.

Huatulco

Going Out and Under

Leave a comment

By Kary Vannice

Some of Mexico’s most fantastical and fascinating outdoor pursuits aren’t actually outdoors but underground. With over 7,000 recorded cave systems scattered across the country, Mexico boasts some of the most extensive and awe-inspiring underground networks in the world. Beneath its amazing surface lies an even more mesmerizing world waiting to be discovered – a labyrinth of caves, caverns, and underground rivers that weave throughout Mexico, telling the earth’s ancient origin story.

Mexico is, of course, well known for its diverse landscape, from lush green jungles to towering blue mountains, but it’s her vast subterranean realm that can truly captivate the adventurous spirit. Each cave system tells a story of geological evolution, carved out over millions of years by relentless forces of nature.

One of Mexico’s most iconic cave systems is the cenotes of the Yucatán Peninsula. Cenotes are ancient sinkholes formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock to reveal a hidden world of crystal-clear waters and intricate caverns. Exploring the cenotes offers a unique opportunity to swim, snorkel, or dive amidst massive stalactites and stalagmites as shafts of sunlight pour down from surface openings, lighting up the subterranean landscape. If you’re visiting the Yucatán, you can find many guided tours that will safely allow you to experience these hidden wonders.

Venturing further into Mexico’s underground realm, you can explore the sprawling cave systems of the Sierra Madre Oriental on the eastern side of the country. Here, limestone cliffs give way to a network of caverns adorned with stunning formations, including delicate helictites, which, unlike stalactites and stalagmites, look like they were formed in zero gravity. They can extend horizontally or even diagonally across the cave’s surface often ending up looking like sea coral growing out of the depths. Also, in this area, you will find the Cave of Swallows, one of the largest vertical cave shafts in the world. It plunges over 1,200 feet straight down for anyone seeking an adrenaline rush by rappelling a quarter of a mile down into the black abyss.

If you’re looking for a more immersive experience, the Rio Secreto in the Riviera Maya provides a journey through an underground river system that flows beneath the pristine jungle above. Kayaking or floating through the subterranean waterways reveals a hidden world of ancient rock formations and subaqueous chambers where the echoes of dripping water create a symphony of sound that reverberates through the caverns.

But perhaps one of Mexico’s most extraordinary underground landscapes lies deep beneath the surface of Naica, Chihuahua – the Cave of the Crystals. Located 300 meters within the Naica Mine, this otherworldly cavern is renowned for its gigantic gypsum crystals. Some of the crystals inside the cave are as tall as a 4-story building and weigh over 50 tons. Humans in this environment look like tiny ants surrounded by perfectly formed, crystal clear prisms and luminescent shafts of light. The cave’s extreme conditions, with temperatures reaching up to 58°C (136°F), along with humidity levels nearing 100%, created the perfect environment for forming these monumental crystals over thousands of years.

So breathtakingly beautiful, this true marvel of the underground world was featured on the Discovery and History Channels and the Outdoor Life Network in Canada. These programs offered a rare glimpse into this surreal underworld that seems more like a scene from science fiction than reality. Unfortunately, unlike many other underground wonders in Mexico, your only opportunity to experience this mystical landscape is on TV. Discovered initially as part of a mining exploration that required pumps to keep the underground water from filling the chamber, the caves were allowed to re-flood when mining operations ceased in October of 2015. Nevertheless, the mere existence of this extraordinary ecosystem serves as a testament to the incredible geological diversity and untold mysteries that lie beneath Mexico’s surface.

Mexico’s expansive cave systems offer a gateway to a realm where time stands still, and the earth reveals its hidden treasures. Each unique cave system tells a story of geological wonder and cultural significance. You just have to be adventurous enough to look below the surface.

Huatulco

Carmen Aristegui: An Unyielding Force in Journalism

Leave a comment

By Kary Vannice

There’s one woman every Mexican president since Felipe Calderón (2006-12) has feared, and that’s Carmen Aristegui, one of Mexico’s most influential and fearless journalists. Known for her sharp, tough demeanor and relentless investigative journalism, Aristegui has become a powerful voice against injustice, corruption, and attacks on press freedom in Mexico.

Aristegui’s 20-plus-year career is marked by an unwavering commitment to truth, transparency and accountability. She has worked in every facet of journalism, print, radio and television. Most notably, she anchored the news program Aristegui on CNN en Español and currently hosts a daily CNN podcast of the same name. In 2012, she started her own news website, Aristegui Noticias, a highly renowned news program in Mexico and Latin America, with a vast viewership of over 45 million people each month.

One of the most notable aspects of Aristegui’s career is her refusal to stay silent in the face of adversity. Shockingly, Mexico has the highest death rate of journalists in the world. When asked about this in an interview, Aristegui said, “It’s a disgrace that persists because it goes hand in hand with the impunity of a country without a justice system willing to punish those responsible. Few of the perpetrators have been prosecuted, which is almost an invitation to murder for those who feel threatened by journalism.”

During her acceptance speech in 2023 for the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Grand Prize for Press Freedom, Aristegui stated: “Mexico is one step away from being considered a country with high restrictions on press freedom, significantly related to the ‘constant’ attacks by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador against the media, journalists, critics and other powers of the Republic.” She went on to say, “When a journalist is murdered, a person is murdered, a professional is murdered, but society’s right to be informed and to know what that journalist had to report is also murdered.”

Throughout her illustrious career, Carmen Aristegui has faced numerous challenges and has been a constant target for those who seek to silence her. Her fearless pursuit of truth and unwavering commitment to investigative journalism have made her a thorn in the side of those in power. Her illegal termination from MVS Radio in 2015, following her report on the conflict of interest concerning home purchases by then-President Enrique Peña Nieto, was a glaring example of the pressures she faced. The termination, widely regarded as an act of censorship, sparked outrage and widespread public protests that resulted in Aristegui’s reinstatement a few days later, but nonetheless drew attention to the vulnerability of journalists in Mexico who dared to expose corruption at the highest levels of government.

Aristegui’s resilience in the face of adversity became even more apparent as she endured not only censorship but also personal attacks and ridicule throughout her career. At the end of last year, she was once again at the center of the high-profile “Pegasus” spyware, used by the Mexican government for covert surveillance of Mexican citizens. She was called to give testimony about how she and her teenage son were allegedly spied on during the years Enrique Peña Nieto was in office.

Her sharp and critical reporting style, aimed at holding those in power accountable, has made her a lightning rod for criticism, yet Aristegui has weathered the storm with grace and determination, refusing to be deterred from her journalistic mission.

Despite the many attempts to undermine her credibility and silence her voice, Aristegui has emerged as a symbol of journalistic integrity and resilience. Her ability to persevere in the face of censorship and ridicule underscores the importance of a free press and the crucial role of journalists in holding the powerful accountable.