Presenting the beauty of Hispanic Culture

Part of the reason I started this blog was to compile a place to display the beauty of Hispanic culture for myself because I am so drawn to it and it has been a part of my life, and for others. I am also compiling this information for my nephew- you know who you are, so that he might be inspired to study and improve his grades in his Spanish language course. If only they would teach and show the incredible contributions of Hispanic culture , music in particular, the kids may be more inclined to learn. From what I remember of Spanish language class in school, the subject matter was rather dry, dull, and full of repetition rather than inspiration that would lead to yearning to learn. All I have to do is listen to the great musician Celia Cruz speak Spanish with such emotion, and I am inspired to pick up my Spanish language dictionary and learn more. This you tube video is to me one of the most beautiful pieces of music, haunting, leading the mind over faraway landscapes. The composer and pianist, Joaquin Rodrigo is one more of the great contributors to the genius of Hispanic culture, enjoy

Curiosities- The Rio Grande Valley of Texas

The Rio Grande Valley in South Texas is some 90% Latino and yet they opened a Taco Bell fast food restaurant and Latino's actually eat there. Yeah, yeah I know, Italians also eat at the Olive Garden -go figure-


They have a taco joint called "El Pato" (the duck) http://www.elpatomexicanfood.com you can get a peanut butter and jelly"pato" in a flour tortilla there.( This was my hubby's favorite restaurant as a kid). In all fairness I have had a few peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in a pita bread- the Armenian version of this- To quote John Cougar Mellencamp"Ain't that America?"

It seems like more people drive on the shoulder of the highways and roads than drive in the lanes of the highway in some of the rural areas, now I live in a rural area and no one does that here, so" splain Lucy?"(Desi Arnaz expression from "I Love Lucy" t.v show) Is this fear or saving gas,unreliable old trucks, or what?

The water at the beach down there is almost as warm as the hot air temperature. Having spent much time at the Jersey shore in my youth, I did not find this very refreshing

There is great Birding and Butterfly watching in South Texas http://southtexasnature.com
and snowbirding when Retirees come down from the midwest in winter to find warmth

William S. Burroughs, the famous novelist, lived in South Texas for awhile and described it as "this valley of heat and boredom" my husband who grew up there might agree, but on the other hand,as an outsider, I found it rather fascinating. Burroughs also said- there is a strong death force there"death hangs over the valley like an invisible smog"

There is a myth about the Valley reeling people in if they try and get away, people move away and then are mysteriously drawn back there according to the book "The Lost Years Beats in South Texas" It seems some of the people we've know have relived many of the stories in this book, from dying with wild cats to moving away and being reeled back in,

http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Years-William-S-Burroughs/dp/1585445479

Arizona border situation

our Latina cousin who lives down in south Texas sent us this, a sense of humor runs in our families. Sometimes all you have left in a sad situation is humor

Eco- Ganas ( ganas=striving,wanting, drive)

I have this friend who I jokingly refer to at times as" the little engine that could "(children's book reference) as she is so full of drive and ambition and wanting things in her life. She is currently growing a growing business, helping to revive a small town main street with her big dreams and vision of bringing good local food to the community We were discussing the nature of wanting and acquiring things and desiring improvements in one's life and I said to her "Bobbi, you are so funny, you have what the Mexicans call "ganas"( strong desire, drive, wanting improvements) only you don't' have regular ganas you have "eco ganas" which means all her striving is for environmentally sustainable stuff like- solar panels, a rainwater harvesting system for her house, bigger greenhouses and hoop houses. She is a thoughtful person who makes conscientious choices in her life from hiring local artisans to make her furniture, getting a reclaimed wood floor, and many others. I only wish that there were more people out there like my friend. I hope that we can evolve into striving for a better world, where keeping score can mean someone went overboard helping to solve problems in an innovative way. My eco heroes are not the people who talk the loud talk and then walk a different one, but the people trying to make a difference. Willie Nelson driving around to gigs in a bus fueled by biodiesel, Dennis Weaver who built and lived in an earthship, Ed Begley jr. who peddles his bike to generate electricity and Amory Lovins and Hunter Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute
http://money.cnn.com/2007/09/26/news/newsmakers/willie_nelson/index.htm

http://www.premiersystems.com/earthship/
http://www.rmi.org/rmi/

A way forward perhaps

Tortada?

Taco Bell has a new product- the Tortada
What is this, a torta (sandwich) with a patada (kick) attached?
Who exactly is coming up with this invented corporate gringo lingo?




Personally all the Mexicans I know loved the Taco Bell dog so just in case you've missed him you can view him in this video

La LLorona- The Weeping Woman