Our Mexican Adventure

• Today is Cinco de Mayo, better known as Batalla de Puebla (Battle of Puebla) in Mexico.
• This holiday commemorates the Battle of Puebla in which the Mexican Army defeated the French near the city of Puebla in 1862.
• Cinco de Mayo is celebrated more vigorously in the U.S, particularly in large cities such as Chicago, Minneapolis and San Diego, than it is in most of Mexico. Here in Mexico, it is mainly celebrated in the city and state of Puebla. (Puebla is the capital of the state of Puebla.)
• Today is not, as many Americans think, Mexican Independence Day. Independence Day is celebrated on September 16th, a large celebration in Mexico, but a non-event in most of the U.S.
• Any day is a good day for a margarita!
• Happy Cinco de Mayo & Feliz Batalla de Puebla!

Since our blog is not only for us to record our experiences, but to share a little of Mexican knowledge with our readers, we hope you don’t mind if we start including some fun facts about Mexico, it’s people, and it’s culture.

For instance, did you know …

• Mexico has 31 states — we drove through 15 on our way to Playa del Carmen.
• Playa del Carmen is in the state of Quintana Roo. It is the youngest state of the Mexican Republic. It was declared a state on October 8, 1974.
• You’ve heard about the Mexican postal service, right? Apparently, it’s so unreliable that utility bills are paid in person. No checks in the mail, no online payments, no credit card payments. Cash, in person, only, por favor.
• The driving distance of our journey from Chicago to Playa del Carmen was approximately 3500 miles.
• John recently found out that the cheapest way to purchase beer is to buy a bottle similar in apparence to a 40-ouncer. Locally, it is called a “caguama”, pronounced Ka-wa-ma. You can find them at most mini-supers (the corner stores), and they go for about 16 pesos (about $1.50 US). No need to hide it in a brown bag; there’s no open container law here!