Archive for October, 2007
Salsa Verde Recipe Posted by Transparent Language on Oct 24, 2007
I went to a cooking class last year in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico at the “Traditional Mexican Cooking School” and came away with a number of delicious recipes to make authentic Mexican food. One of my favorites is for traditional salsa verde. This recipe is extremely fast and easy, and can be used…
MTV’s “Quiero Mis Quince” Posted by Transparent Language on Oct 23, 2007
Turning 16 is seen as a turning point for girls in the U.S, but for latinas the big day comes a year ealier. The quinceañera, the Latin American version of the sweet sixteen, is for some girls the biggest event next to their wedding day. The day marks the transition from childhood into womanhood, and…
Doing Business in Latin America Posted by Transparent Language on Oct 17, 2007
Latin America is generally known as a region of ubiquitous red tape, where bureaucratic procedures and long wait times to complete them can cause ones patience to wear thin. Yet to what extent does this image hold true in the reality of doing business in Latin America? For some idea of the business climate…
False Cognates in Spanish Posted by Transparent Language on Oct 9, 2007
If it has ever happened to you that you rattle off what you think is a perfectly correct sentence in Spanish, only to have the other person just look at you, head cocked to the side with a bewildered look on his or her face, you are not alone! You may have just fallen…
Columbus Day in the Spanish Speaking World Posted by Transparent Language on Oct 8, 2007
When I spent my first Columbus Day in Mexico, my first reaction was “Mexico celebrates Columbus Day?” It is embarrassing to recall now, but I think after years of elementary school training, I was conditioned to think “Columbus discovered America” and, in typical egotistical fashion, I assumed “America” referred to the United States. Somehow, even…
Mexican Origins of Food Posted by Transparent Language on Oct 1, 2007
Traditional Mexican flavors are increasingly featured in today’s cultural trends: chipotle in adobo, habanero and jalapeño are spicing up menus across the country, whereas the tortilla is increasingly used as a means of utensil-free eating. It is easy to recognize the south-of-the-border heritage of these ingredients, and yet there are a number of foods we…
Mexico’s Grito de Independencia Posted by Transparent Language on Oct 1, 2007
On the night of September 15th the main squares, or zócalos, of even the most tranquil Mexican town buzz with energy and activity as people gather to celebrate their most important national holiday: Independence Day. Participants don clothing and face paint and bear flags normally kept hidden during the rest of the year, converging in…