【Emergency button】
Not only are security cameras but also emergency buttons such as photograph installed in Mexico city. Pressing this button will lead to the emergency contact "911". I heard that the suitcase that had been stolen has come back thanks to this button. When I was looking for a place near my place or office for an emergency,l could find some of them.
【Guava】
The sweet smell came wafting in, when I entered the supermarket last night. That is guava. It is familiar in Southeast Asia and is cultivated in Okinawa and Kagoshima in Japan.
But I know that guava has a green peel and is about the size of an apple or pear.
Guava seen in Mexico has yellow peel, small size and looks like loquat. If the sweet smell hasn't come wafting in, I didn't notice guava.
Of course, its taste was guava.
【Japanese dishes in Aguascalientes】
When I went on a business trip to Aguascalientes on the other day, I had the opportunity to have authentic Japanese food. It is a dish of the Japanese restaurant “SATO” known in Leon. It was authentic and delicious Japanese food, including sushi, as if you were eating in Japan. They opened new restaurant in Aguascalientes.
I am so glad to have more opportunities to eat delicious Japanese food.
【Huevos Rancheros】
Traffic Jam while the commute is serious in Mexico, and it is serious in Tokyo metropolitan area in Japan as well.
Meanwhile, KM Kanko Bus K.K. and Nestle Japan are conducting a campaign to provide elegant commute to work while having breakfast on the bus. There are left two times on December 17th and 18th, but the breakfast that is scheduled to be served in these two days is Mexican food "Huevos Rancheros". This is tortilla baked with tomato sauce and eggs. I am glad that Mexican breakfast is featured in Japan.
【Tsukemen】
I ate ramen at RAMENYA which TNY supported incorporation.
They have three menus simply : tsukemen, red miso ramen, and white miso ramen.
You can eat "tsukemen", which is rarely in Mexico, there.
There are many restaurants in Mexico City where you can eat ramen, but I really enjoyed this ramen because their taste of noodles and soup are my favorite.
I will miss warm ramen on cold days like today.
By the way, RAMENYA is located Valladolid 76, Roma Nte.
【Posada】
Posada started on this Monday, 16th. It is customary to celebrate 9 days before Christmas. The party has been held every day from that day, and it is already rest mode in the city. Every day, I can hear the cheers of the party. Adults enjoy liquor for delicious meals, and children enjoy lots of sweets and games. The picture is Pinata.Sweets are packed in it. Children blindfold and tap with a stick to get the sweets inside. It sounds like a Japanese game, watermelon splitting, "Suikawari".
【Palacio Postal】
Christmas is all around us, however, I suddenly thought I would like to send a New Year's card and went to the post office last weekend. It is Palacio Postal near Centro. The inside is very beautiful, and some visitors come for sightseeing. Business hours are shorter than on weekdays, but they are open on Saturdays and Sundays.
I don’t know because it was the weekend before Christmas, but many families came to send letters to Santa Claus.
【Plastic Bags】
On December 25, a guideline which oblige retailers to charge a fee for issuing plastic shopping bags from July 1, 2020 was issued in Japan. Mexico City will also ban providing plastic bags from January 1, 2020. Some shops have already implemented this initiative, and they may be asked to put them in a paper bag when shopping. But the best way to reduce waste is to bring your own shopping bags that can be reusable. I also try to bring my shopping bag with me. When you travel to Mexico City, don't forget to bring your own shopping bag in buying souvenirs.
【Rosca de Leyes】
Today, January 6th, is Epiphany (Dia de Los Tres Reyes Magos). it is called by various names depending on the church, but let me call it as Epiphany today. It is customary to eat bread called Rosca de Reyes in Mexico on this day. The large ring-shaped bread has a slight orange flavor. The bread is decorated with candied figs and ate which is traditional sweet using fruits. I chose the smallest size for the photo, but it's usually bigger and big enough to hold in both hands. They can cut your favorite places one by one.
There is a small doll in the bread and happiness comes to those who have the part with it. But the main thing is that the person who eat this doll must treat to Tamales on February 2.
Unfortunately, I could not have this doll.
【Public transit card】
The cards available for public transport in Mexico City have been unified. A new public transit card has been distributed since last October. But the old cards could be used for a while, so I make it alone. Semovi announced last week, it can be used Metro until 30th of this month and Metrobus until February 21st. It is necessary to use up the amount remaining on the card by those dates and obtain a new card. A new card is not a replacement for an old card, but must be purchased and costs 15 pesos and an initial fee. 20 pesos are required when purchasing at a metro tickets office.
With this new card you can also take the bus called RTP.
If you do not have a new card, please note the expiration date.
【Obleas】
Obleas is one of Mexican sweets. I often saw it being sold on the roadside and thought it was a terrible color. I hadn't eaten it, but I got it shared because it was delicious, so I tried it. What I ate was honey sandwiched inside, with sunflower seed. This was more delicious than I thought. It is similar to Japanese sweets. The texture is Ebi-sen (shrimp-flavored cracker). If you haven't eaten yet, please try it.
【Emergency drill】
On January 17, 25 years have past since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995. I remember that not only the damage caused by the earthquake but also disasters such as fires were serious. And January 20 is the day of emergency drill in Mexico City. We carried out emergency drill in preparation for earthquake. Be ready for the Mexican earthquake is going out as soon as possible. There are many people who have evacuated on the street. However, maybe because of training, I feel that the number of people on the street is actually less than the number of people working in the surrounding buildings. When an earthquake actually occurs, many people will surely flood the streets, so I felt it was important to ensure safety after going out of the building.
【Emergency drill ２】
After emergency drills on the 20th, I was wondering if there was any more effective training. I found the website that those who are join the emergency drill can register and report how long it took to evacuate. It is a government agency site called the CNPC (Coordinación Nacional de Protección Civil), which contains important information on emergency response and evacuation drills.
【Lunar New Year】
The Lunar New Year began on the 24th. You can find a small Chinatown in Mexico City. I didn't know if an event was taking place, but I went to Chinatown on Saturday. Then there were so many people crowded that I couldn't move. A lion dance using fireworks and firecrackers was being performed. You can also enjoy the Lunar New Year atmosphere in Mexico.
【General Nouns? 】
A bread maker called Bimbo sells the sweet bread "Penguinos". It is a the chocolate cake with white cream inside and covered chocolate and white cream. It may be called Penguinos (penguins) because of the combination of colors, but if you think that it is a Bimbo product name, it is said that all such sweets are called Penguinos. Originally it seemed to refer to Bimbo's products, but it has become established and used as a general noun.
They call glue ”pritt" and tissue paper "Kleenex" in Mexico.
【Card charger】
The ｍetro card will be completely change over to new one today. Along with this change, charging machines have been installed at subway stations. I could only charge at the ticket counter, and it was quite lined up at rush hour, so I felt that it was troublesome. Now I can charge by charging machine as well, so it is helpful. You can also buy a card at this charging machine.
【Eyesight test 】
I lost my contact lenses two weekends ago. As my research, it is said that contact lenses can be purchased without a prescription from an ophthalmologist in Mexico. I immediately went to the optician. However, since I was not sure about the diopter, I was in trouble, the clerk pointed to the laboratory, "Do you want to test?" I didn't hesitate, "please".
But, my Spanish is still frustrating and I was worried that I could answer properly, but it was not much different from a Japanese eyesight test. You will be asked "Which red or green do you see clearly?" Others say, "Read the characters in this column." Just read the alphabet from left to right. After successfully completing the test, I was able to purchase contact lenses.
【Recycling】
When l go to the office, I have been interested in something. I am thinking it's an advertising version, it says the used battery is diposited here. It is a used battery collection box. When l looked closely at the red part at the end of the arrow, there was a hole and you can insert the battery. It is interesting that there is a collection box in this form.
【Asociación México Japonesa del Noreste】
When I went to Monterrey for business trip last week, I visited the Mexico-Japan Association in North. I found that they are actively involved in the association that is the center of the Japanese community in northeastern Mexico. The Community space called Nippon Club is under preparation. It will have Tatami room, Karaoke room, kitchen for cooking classes and bar counter.
I'm looking forward to be able to visit Japan Club next time.
【The film ”Cenote"】
The Oshima Prize, founded by the Pia Film Festival (PFF), goes to the film director Kaori Oda. Director Oda has completed a film last year featured on cenotes scattered across the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The film will be screened in Mexico next month, because it has been selected for the Ahora México competition from March 5th to 15th.
https://ficunam.unam.mx/ahora-mexico/
In Japan, the Oshima Prize commemorative screening will be held in Tokyo on the 20th.
https://pff.jp/jp/news/2020/02/oshima-prize2020.html
It will hit theaters in June. Can't wait!
【Van Gogh Alive 】
I have been looking forward to the Van Gogh Alive exhibition this year privately. An art exhibition where you can enjoy Van Gogh's work with projected images and music using the latest technology. It seems that you can enjoy the atmosphere surrounded by Van Gogh's work and lost in the work.
Yesterday, on 20th, this popular exhibition, which has been held around the world has finally opened in Mexico City!
Tickets are purchased by appointment at a specified date and time.
【Jacaranda】
In February, it became quite warm and the jacaranda begins blooming. It is like a cherry blossom in Japan. I enjoy it but also the purple carpets with falling flowers on the ground.
In Japan, June is the best time to see the jacaranda bloomed, and you can enjoy at "Jacaranda Street" at Obama Onsen in Unzen City, Nagasaki Prefecture and "Jacaranda Forest" in Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture.
In Mexico City, Reforma Street and Chapultepec Park seem to be famous sights of Jacaranda, but you can find it everywhere as you walk around the city, so I enjoy Jacaranda every day.
【Coronavirus】
A new coronavirus is prevalent around the world. Although no case had been identified in Mexico, it was announced that one case of coronavirus is identified in Mexico City this morning.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Health just announced a new coronavirus prevention policy.
First of all, what we can do is to try to prevent it, so I would like to try hand washing and gargle, and keep a orderly lifestyle.
Information on the new coronavirus in Spanish can be found on the Ministry of Health website.
【Llámame o Márcame 】
I remember "calling" as "llamar", but I heard "Márcame" when someone said "call me". "Marcar" means "to mark", but I found the meaning "to dial" at the sixth in the dictionary. I heard that Mexican prefer to say "Márcame". Both means calling, but "Llámame" sounds different meaning, so I have to be careful in which situations I say.
【Weather】
It is 12 ℃ at 11 am today. The highest temperature was 28 ℃ yesterday, but it has been cold today. It is cloudy, which is rare, and there was wind in this morning
In Mexico City, the weather is crazy from February to March. It changes to be hot, cold or windy so often. Today, I could be a witness to it.
【Un Día sin Nosotras】
Today, Mexico has a massive strike by women. This campaign aims to improve the protection of women's rights and prevent women from crimes through that women leaving the workplace, school, and town, and not providing any labor or consuming.
Government offices and many schools including universities, have announced their participation and I was worried about what would happen, but I saw many women in this morning.
I felt less waves of commuter cars and people than usual, but I found many women in that waves. I also saw women working in laundry shops or supermarkets, and women shopping well. I saw many women on the subway as well. However, the ticket office of the subway has been closed, and I guess that it is caused by the small number of staff.
Opportunities for such activities are few in Japan, so I feel fresh it.
【Who is handsome】
When I was a student, I saw a movie titled "The Motorcycle Diaries". After that, I become a fan of Mexican actor Gael García Bernal. I think he looks really cool, but when I talked about it in the office, I was strongly opposed by Mexican members (Mexicanas).
I asked them "who is handsome". They told me some actors, but they are not my type.
I don't know whether it's because a difference in type or nationality, but Mexico can be enjoyed from a point of view that actors.
【Trends in New Coronavirus Countermeasures】
This week, commuting traffic has dropped dramatically. The school has extended schedule of Semana Santa's vacation and moved it forward, so a one-month vacation has begun this week. Also, the number of people wearing masks has increased. Some companies have started working from home. I feel that the city is a bit quieter. It seems that it will take some time to end the pandemic.
【Trends in New Coronavirus Countermeasures 2】
Mexico is calling for a month preventing new coronavirus infection spread from this week, with calling for thorough prevention and stop or postpone unnecessary and urgent activities. Many companies carry out working from home and Mexico City suspended their administrative activities. Moreover, today (March 24), Mexico has officially announced its move to Phase 2 on the coronavirus situation. Some restaurants have closed on their own, now, all of us are working to prevent the spread of infection.
【Emergency Declaration】
An emergency was declared on March 30 cause to the spread of the new coronavirus infection. In keeping with last week's campaign, all of us are required to stay at home. Mexico City has begun closing commercial facilities on April 1. So the city is quiet. Although masks and alcohol are still difficult to obtain, I feel that foods and daily necessities are being replenished quickly, though they are out of stock. However, I feel that perishables becomes increasingly difficult to obtain. Still, there is no major confusion, and I'm here today safely.
【Daylight saving time】
Daylight saving time began on Sunday, April 5th. The time difference with Japan is 14 hours. I was surprised the sun was still high after working. I feel the night is getting longer. Today is the full moon, the full moon will be reached at 11:35 on the 8th day of Japan time, so in Mexico it is 21:35 on the 7th (today). It's good to enjoy the full moon at home today. (I hope that the clouds do not come out)
【15th Anniversary】
April 1 was the 15th anniversary of the entry into force of the Japan-Mexico Economic Partnership Agreement. Bilateral trade increased from US $ 11,774 million in 2004 to over US $ 22,000 million in 2019, therefore Japan becoming Mexico's fifth largest trading partner in the world and Asia's second largest trading partner.
On this occasion, why don't you review the economic history between Japan and Mexico.
【Masks】
It will be mandatory to wear a mask when taking the Metro in Mexico City from 17th. Not only Metro, but wearing it when using the transportation network. Leon has been obliged to wear masks when using public transportation before, and since 13th, it is obligatory to wear it not only on public transportation but on public places. There are various ways of thinking about the effects of masks, but the number people interested in masks is increasing.
Now, the word mask. I remember "cubrebocas" in Spanish, but Leon's news used the word "tapabocas". There may be minor differences, but now I learned both as "masks".
Right now, it's good to be able to make the minimum necessary usage of metro. It is the one way to spend time to study Spanish while watching or listening to news at home.
【JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL 】
Last week, an extension of the period for staying home was announced. The longer I stay at home, the more I wonder what to do. Recently I applied for a video streaming service, but they provide films in English or Spanish. In these days, I miss Japanese films. I found a movie streaming service that can be accessed from overseas. You can watch "JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL", you can enjoy works of young Japanese film directors for free.
【Influenza】
Tomorrow, April 24th, is the day on which the new influenza A (H1N1) outbreak was declared. A case was confirmed in Mexico and the United States in 2009, and WHO declared an international emergency on April 24.
Regarding measures against COVID-19, companies in the same building were switching to work from home earlier, and I felt that the Mexicans were quick to correspond. Maybe because of this experience? There may be a lot to learn in the past.
【Treaty of Peace with Japan】
April 28 is the day the Treaty of Peace with Japan comes into effect. I think this treaty, which states the end of the war between Japan and each Allied Powers after World War II, and the recognition of Japan's sovereignty by the Allied Powers, is important in postwar history. In March 1952, Mexico deposited the ratification instrument of the Treaty of Peace with Japan in the secondarily after the United Kingdom. Looking back on history from the perspective of the connection between Mexico and Japan, there are new discoveries.
【Día del Niños 】
April 30th is Children's Day in Mexico. It is celebrated as a day to understand, love and appreciate children. It seems that children up to the age of 12 celebrate, and at school, kindergarten, nursery school, etc., they will have fun playing games, having parties at home, and receiving gifts.
The president also sends a message to the children.
At the conference today, deputy of Ministry of Health, Mr. Hugo Lopez, will also answer questions from children about the new coronavirus. I'm really excited about what kind of questions children ask.
I can feel that the country values children.
【5 de Mayo】
５th of May, Cinco de Mayo, is a day commemorating the miraculous repulsion of the French troops under the command of General Ignacio Zaragoza at the Puebla Battle on May 5, 1862. Although it is not a national holiday, it is mainly treated as a holiday in Puebla. Mexico has few holidays. I wish that it becomes a holiday together with Children's Day on April 30th.
【Sign Language】
When I watch the regular press conferences of the president and the Ministry of Health, I can find the sign language interpreter's video on the bottom right every time. I'm interested in sign language, so I looked it up.
Sign languages are also different for each country, and Japanese and Mexican are different. For example, the moon. In Japanese Sign Language, the thumb and forefinger are used to represent the shape of a crescent moon. In Mexican sign language, the thumb and forefinger represent an L, the thumb is placed vertically on the forehead, and slid to the tip of the nose in a crescent moon curve.
An apple. In Japan, stroke your lips with your forefinger and draw a circle with both hands in front of your body. In Mexico, put a fist on your cheeks and draw a circle.
Even in Spanish-speaking countries, different countries have different sign languages. It's fun to look over the differences among countries.
【Mother’s Day】
May 10 was Mother's Day. In Japan, the second Sunday in May is Mother's Day. Mother's Day in Mexico is May 10. (This year, Mother's Day in Japan and Mother's Day in Mexico happened to be the same date.)
In Mexico, they value their mother very much and go out to eat with their families or celebrate with cakes and presents. Moreover, not only does the family express gratitude to the mother, but also they celebrate the mother's day at offices.
【Rosario Castellanos】
May 25 was the birthday of Mexican literature scholar Rosario Castellanos. Her literary work influences feminist literature and cultural studies and she is recognized as an important literary person in 20th-century Mexican literature since giving an opportunity to open literature to Mexican women.
An example of a work translated into Japanese is "Balún Canán". I wanted to read it, but there seems to be no electronic version.
【Red signal】
From June 1st, the movement towards Nueva normalidad started. However, almost all of Mexico is red signal (only Zacatecas state is orange). Mexico City also adopted a signal system, which is also red. As a general rule, it is necessary to continue staying at home as before, but I think that the number of people in the city has increased more than before, probably because the range of economic activities has expanded slightly. The number of people infected with the COVID-19 is increasing, and I'm continuing "Cuédate en Casa", hoping that the usual "everyday" will come back as soon as possible.
【World Heritage】
As of the end of May 2020, Mexico has 35 World Heritage sites registered. There are a wide variety of heritage such as ancient ruins like Maya civilization, medieval colonial townscape, natural heritage such as protected areas of deserts or marine life. I have only traveled five of them and I regret that I should have traveled more. I think it takes a little more time until I can travel domestically, but I am planning my trip while looking at these photos.
【Coach of Mexican soccer U-23 team】
The coach of Mexican soccer U-23 team is Japanese, Mr. Nishimura. After graduating from a instructor training school in Mexico, he has established a career as a instructor in Mexico. The Olympics and the final qualifying of the North American Central Caribbean region, which was scheduled to be held in Guadalajara, have also been postponed, but I hope that I will be able to watch the final match between Mexico and Japan at the Olympics.
【Coffee】
Mexico is also a producing country of coffee beans. Veracruz, Chiapas, and Oaxaca are known as producing areas. The impression of taste is soft and light. I like coffee with a strong bitterness, so it feels a little missing to me, but it's very easy to drink. The traditional Mexican coffee is "Cafe de Oja", a sweet coffee of boiling coffee, cinnamon and brown sugar in a pan. This has a nostalgic taste.
You can buy coffee at a supermarket, but there are also some coffee shop where coffee beans are roasted and sold it, and it is recommended because the taste is better and the price is reasonable.
It's not a relaxing environment at coffee shop yet, but let's enjoy it at our home cafe.
【Non‐permanent member】
Mexico was elected from the Latin America- Caribbean region, with elections to select five of non permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, who will carry two years from January next year. The Security Council is the body that makes various peace and security decisions around the world. Mexico also participates in the Economic and Social Council for a term by the end of 2020. The ministry of foreign affair of Mexico seemed to have little presence, but it doesn't seem so.
【Earthquake】
At around 10:29 on June 23, today, An earthquake shook in central and southern Mexico. The epicenter was near Huatulco in Oaxaca with a magnitude of 7.4. This is the first time for me to have had a strong earthquake after arriving in Mexico. So far, I have done evacuation drills 2 times in Mexico City, and at that time, I thought that "the sound of the siren is difficult to understand...", as expected, I could not notice the earthquake warning siren today. The siren rang and the sound of running down the stairs in the apartment began to be heard, and after a while, it began to shake little by little, and the width of shaking gradually increased. The teaching of the earthquake in Mexico is to go outside immediately. The earthquake warning started to sound a few minutes before the shaking started, so I think there was enough time to evacuate. It wasn't thrown away. The alarm system in Mexico City was surprisingly sound.
Mexico is one of the land of earthquake. Since there are concerns about aftershocks, I pray for your safety.
【Corona measures found in town】
June is about to end. Even in Mexico City, where the office is located, the signal indicating the risk of coronavirus infection remains red. Although we have not yet reached full-scale economic resumption, I feel that the number of people and cars is increasing little by little.
And masks and face guards have become common. This is the scenery I found in a corner of Mexico City this month.
【Orange】
Resumption of social activities suspended due to the spread of COVID-19. Mexico is divided into four steps, red, orange, yellow, and green.
Mexico City has entered the "orange" stage since yesterday, where it is possible to resume some activities, from the "red", which is the stage of greatest caution. Prosperity is returning in the town little by little, as the shop with shutters closed all the time has opened, and the tacos street stalls that have not been seen for a while have come out. What is different from before is that transparent curtains and boards are installed everywhere. I was impressed that the stalls also had transparent curtains. From July 1st, tomorrow, the dinner-in will be restarted with a reduced capacity. when I went to a restaurant, where I often went for lunch before, to buy lunch, a stuff member told "You can eat here from tomorrow." The situation is still uncertain, but I feel that we are moving forward little by little the "Nueva Normaridad".
【Emoji】
I found "Emoji" when I was looking at an advertisement for a video conferencing system of a Mexican telecommunications company. Emojis are becoming indispensable in communications such as email and SNS, but I'm also happy that they have become popular as "Emoji", which is familiar to Japanese, in Mexico.