Turquoise waters of Agua Azul in the state of Chiapas​


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Mexico is diverse, from beaches and jungles, to dry deserts and high mountains. 



​Bigote and the Young Bull

Bigote & the Bull, in San Miguel de Allende, September 2010
The judges closed the bullfight after the torrential downpour, but once the rain let up the entertainment continued. A vacillo (young bull) was let out. Dozens of drunk men, and boys as young as ten years old, entered the ring. They used sheets of paper, their shirts, and big sombreros to attract the bull's attention and pretend they were bullfighters. The ring had several openings that were protected by large wooden walls in front. Most of the pretenders dashed in and out from behind the walls. They all taunted the bull, but no one let him get very close. They were testing their courage, not their stupidity.

Except for one middle-aged borracho, wearing a black fake mustache and blue jeans. He took his shirt off and shook it up and down. He taunted the bull, strutted around, and wiggled his butt. He successfully used his shirt as a cape to guide the bull around his bare upper body. The more success he had, the cockier he became. Cheers bellowed from the remaining crowd who shouted Bigote! Bigote! (mustache), urging him on.

Then he made a mistake; after successfully passing the animal to the side, Bigote turned his back on him. The bull whipped around, lowered his head and charged. Bigote landed square across the bull's face, between the horns, and was thrown up into the air. He landed face down in the mud and stayed there. I feared the bull had broken his back, or worse. Nearby men quickly jumped into action, waving and yelling at the bull while others grabbed the unconscious man and dragged him off to safety. After ten minutes, Bigote recovered and returned to roaring cheers from the crowd.

Sustainable Farm

Ha'Omek'Ha is a sustainable farm a few kilometers west of Ocosingo, Chiapas. The farmers are a cooperative of indigenous Mayan people, Mexicans, and expats who grow organic food and support the farm by selling pottery made from clay mined on the property, and honey from their many hives. 

Toniná

The tallest pyramid in Mexico, Toniná is located east of the town of Ocosingo. Chiapas is the home world of chocolate and this figurine, the God of Chocolate, was discovered there. 

San Miguel

San Miguel de Allende is a city in the very heart of Mexico. It is the birthplace of the 1810 Revolution of Independence from Spain, and has a community of expats from all over the world.

Baja California
Camping on the beach and watching whales is a marvelous adventure on the west coast of Baja California. Many tour companies take groups and individuals out into the bays, in boats specially designed to get close to whales that are mating and mother whales with calves. 
Whale Watching
Las Guacamayas Eco-tourism center in SE Chiapas. Beautiful jungle with a great swimming hole, boat tours on the river, rare tropical birds, and hiking trails throughout.
The Basilica of Our Lady Of Guadalupe, the origins of Mexico's patron saint, and an interesting place to see the original tunic that Don Diego showed his priest. 
In Sinaloa, there is a beautiful little town with a secret lie it uses to boost tourism. And a fancy Disney-esque fort that hides its giant water tank.