【Turned to Orange again】
About two months after the Mexican City signal, which indicates the risk of coronavirus infection, turned red which is maximum alert, it went down one step, orange, this week. The restaurant is still only available for terrace seats or take-out/delivery. Commercial facilities also have a limitation up to 20% occupancy and restrictions on staying time, which are stricter regulations than the previous one under Orange.
Restaurants seem very busy on weekends because probably because there are seats outside, and I feel that this situation has become "normal".
I hope it to be able to eat and drink in the restaurant before the rainy season comes.
【Vaccine】
In Japan, vaccination against coronavirus infection started yesterday, February 17th. In Mexico, vaccination for medical staffs had started from December 24th last year. From this month, vaccination for the general public over 60 years old has started. Regarding vaccination, I have the impression that the government is taking measures quickly. According to the plan, it will procure 230 million vaccines, but it seems that the procurement and vaccination are not smooth, and the actual vaccination was still 750,000. However, I hope that it will help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
【1st anniversary】
It has been a year since officially confirmed coronavirus infection patients in Mexico. The federal government's spotlight system for risk of coronavirus infection turned yellow in many states this week, so it seems to have come out of a serious situation.
Last weekend, I went to a beauty salon for the first time in a long time and took a walk around the city, and I felt it is the same as before except for masks, temperature measurement, and disinfection. Moreover, the wearing masks, temperature measurement and disinfection of the mask have come to feel "normal". It is an impression that New Normal has penetrated.
【International women's day 】
Yesterday, March 8th was International Women's Day. Last year there was a nationwide strike, but this year I have the impression that there wasn't much action. Even so, it seems that demonstrations and protests were held, and on Sunday, 7th, I saw some women wearing purple.
There are many working women and women in important positions in Mexico, and it seems that women are advancing into society, but there are still many issues such as improving the status of women and preventing violence against women.
In Mexico, there is an institution called Instituto Nacional de las Mujeres (National Institute for Women), which aims for political, cultural, economic and social equality of women, and which carries out activities to eradicates violence against women and to guarantee exercise and enjoyment of women's basic human rights and freedoms.
In addition, in Mexico, I can feel positive action toward women's empowerment, such as the introduction of a system to make the number of candidates for election equal to men and women.
【Sprinkler truck】
Mexico in March is in the middle of the dry season. Mexico City has a dry season from November to May, and it rarely rains. Also, from March to May, the sunlight is stronger and the air is dry. If you forget to water the foliage plants for a day, the leaves will become dried.However, I wondered if the roadside trees were always alive and had great roots under the earth to store water.However, the other day, I happened to see a sprinkler truck watering at night. After all I understood it is necessary to water roadside trees.I thought that Mexico City, which focuses on landscape beautification, is truly.
【Beauty salon】
I was thinking of going, and I had put it off, but I went to a beauty salon because I really wanted to have my hair cut the other day.Under the current situation, most beauty salon provides their services by reservation only, and did not accept the walk-in customer, but I found a beauty salon that did not have one customer and decided to have it cut.As I thought, shampoo is water.Then, in anticipation that the finish would be shortened minus 10 cm, I requested that it be shortened by about 5 cm, but it was shortened by 12 to 3 cm in actual.Moreover, they use the scissors sideways only. They do not aim for a natural finish by useing it vertically like in Japan.As rumored, it was a thrilling beauty salon experience.However, the blow drying is done carefully and I was satisfied with the final finish.I would like to try it again after learning Spanish more so that I can give more detailed instructions.In Mexico City, there are beauty salons run by Japanese and Koreans, and it seems that many Japanese people go to such beauty salons.
【Greetings】
Greetings are very important in Mexico. I exchange greetings everywhere in the city, such as when I pass by people, when I enter a store, when I make a payment, and when I get on and off Uber.The other day, I said as usual "Hello" at the supermarket cash register, "Hello, how is going today?" was returned with.I was surprised to be asked for the first time, while I answered "OK". I guess they enjoy the conversation with Mexican customers.It was a scene that I couldn't experience in Japan.
【Fish】
I can buy fish at supermarkets in Mexico. But there are few kinds !!
To some extent, salmon, sea bream, and shrimp (boiled) are placed. I sometimes see octopus and tuna, but they are only sold slightly.
When I wanted to eat fish, I had to eat out or canned sardines, but I found a fish delivery service run by Japanese person!
This is SAKANAYA JAMES.
SAKANAYA JAMES
There are cut open and dried sardines, horse mackerel and flatfish that can be Simmered, and I am excited just to look at the menu.
If you order by 10 am, it will be delivered on the same day.
The delivery fee is 50 pesos per order (free for orders over 500 pesos), and the sashimi fence is cut so that you can eat it as it is, and the service is also substantial!
I just ordered a lot because of the free delivery.
Currently, only home delivery is available, and the area is part of Mexico City, but they will sell on a business trip at Queretaro on April 2nd and 3rd!!
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3860279474060638&id=104096913012265
【Color television】
In Japan, the Olympic torch relay has begun, and it seems that preparations for the Olympics are underway. At the time of the last 1964 Tokyo Olympics, the opening ceremony, closing ceremony, and some games were broadcast in color, which is said to have triggered the spread of color television.In fact, the engineer who is said to be the first to introduce color television to the world is a Mexican.Guillermo González Camarena invented a chromoscopic adapter for television equipment that enables the transmission and reception of color images, and obtained a patent in the United States in 1942.His birthday, February 17, is set as the day of invention in Mexico.
【Men's Olympic Football for Tokyo 2020】
Men's Olympic Football Qualifying Tournament to determine the North and Central America Caribbean regions' participants for Tokyo 2020 was held since last week, Mexico and Honduras got their tickets to for Tokyo 2020. Mexico has participated in three consecutive Olympics. I look forward to the success of the Mexican U-24.
【Semana Santa】
Last weekend, it was a holiday celebrating the Christian Easter called Semana Santa in Mexico. Although not set as a national holiday, schools are closed for about two weeks, and many businesses also close on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, just before Easter.The Passion Play in Iztapalapa, a suburb of Mexico City, seems that many spectators visit every year, but it was said that live streaming was provided this year.Many Mexicans enjoy their vacation during this holiday because both schools and businesses are closed, and I found many pictures of airports and parks crowded with people in the yesterday's newspaper.
【Good points of Daylight Saving Time】
From this week, Mexico has daylight saving time. The time difference with Japan is 14 hours.
It's only an hour difference, but somehow my body haven't kept up yet. When the standard time changes to daylight saving time, the sunrise time becomes late, and I feel disappointed that I will wake up in the dark again.
However, I noticed that it feels very good in the morning because I start moving in the cool hours. Also, I feel luckly because the bright hours at night will increase.
I feel resistance when the time changes, but there were some good points about daylight saving time.
【Uniforms for Tokyo 2021】
Last week, designs of uniform for the Mexico national team for Tokyo 2021 was announced. There are three candidates.1. Sun stone: Aztec motifs are printed in gold on a black cloth, expressing mystery and authority.2. Oaxaca Handicraft: Colorful oversized flower embroidery is a traditional Mexican embroidery.3. Charro suit: A uniform that imitates the charro suit worn by Mariachi, with delicate openwork embroidery.All of them are nice, but I liked the uniforms with Aztec motifs and voted.But the most popular seems to be Oaxaqueño. The voting is available until the 22nd, so I don't know the result yet.You can vote from this website.
http://www.com.org.mx/votacion/
【IKEA】
Last week, IKEA, a furniture retailer, opened in Mexico City. The price of furniture in Mexico is high... So I expect IKEA's reasonable goods.When I looked into the online store, I found some affordable furniture!!Currently, advance reservations are required for shopping at physical stores. Moreover, since there is only 30 minutes per reservation, it is instructed to create a shopping list in advance.It seems that it will be a long time before I actually visit.
【Dentist】
The other day, I went to a dentist in Mexico. A part of my teeth was chipped while eating, so I decided to go to the dentist because I was worried about tooth decay. There are dentists who can speak Japanese, but I wanted to get it done quickly, so I decided to go to a local dentist. I tried to make a reservation online, but I didn't know which menu to choose, so I consulted via chat and made a reservation and paid. All I have to do is go to the reserved clinic at the reserved time. It's surprisingly easy.
I heard that there are no dental hygienists in Mexican dentists, and that all dentists do it alone. That's right. The interview of condition, the dental examination, cleaning, and the next quote, all was done by one dentist.
The result is no problem. Dentist gave me the detaild explanation and also cleaned my teeth.
Most of the insurance couldn't cover the dentist service, and I had to pay the full amount, but I felt that the consultation fee was very cheap.Mexican dentists may be affordable, and some dentists offer plans for dental tourism.
I felt that there was no loss in going to dentist in Mexico.
【Rainy season has come】
The rainy season has begun this year as well. As soon as May begins, it rains every day, as if it had been waiting.
Unlike Japan, it does not rain all day long, and it is customary for it to rain at a fixed time every day.
In Mexico City, it rains just around the end of the office hour, which makes me feel a little disappointed, but it doesn't get damp, so it doesn't bother me. When it rains, the air gets cooler, so I don't dislike it.
【Reservation service】
A reservation service for immigration offices that I've always wanted they to do. The reservation service has started at the Immigration Office (INM) in Mexico City. A numbered ticket was introduced in the COVID-19 calamity, and I had to line up early in the morning to get this numbered ticket for each procedure, but now I don't have to get up early.
To use the reservation service, first create an account with your email address and password. ⇒https://citas.inm.gob.mx/foreign/login
Prepare the application form number that you made in advance.
Log in with your registered email address and password, and enter the required information such as application form number and passport number. After confirming the procedure information, select the visit date and time.
When the reservation is completed, a QR code will be sent to your e-mail address, so all you have to do is go to the office on the reserved date and time with a printout of it and the required documents for your procedure.
Once I told the person in charge that I have a reservation, I was guided to the front of the window where I could complete the procedure.Even inside the building, I didn't have to wait.
I'm glad that the environment for administrative procedures has improved little by little.
【Lega MX】
Soccer is also a popular sport in Mexico. There is a domestic professional soccer league called Liga MX, and one season is a two-stage system with an opening stage (August-December) and a closing stage (January-May the following year). There are 18 member teams. A round-robin tournament will be held and the top eight teams can join the final tournament. The final tournament is held by home-and-away system.
Last weekend was the final of the closing stage. Cruz Azul, whose home town is Mexico City, won the championship, and the city was full of life.
From around 11pm, I could hear the fireworks cheered and the car horn. That was more noisy night than Independence Day which is most important for Mexican.
【International exposition】
Last week, the Japanese government announced that Mexico had express its participation in the Osaka Kansai Expo 2025. The Mexican government has also announced its participation in Dubai 2020, which had been postponed.
At Dubai 2020, Mexico will focus on public relations such as investment, trade and tourism, and will not only attract investment in Mexico, but also promote expand exports from Mexico.
Based on 2020 data, the United Arab Emirates is Mexico's 47th largest trading partner and the second largest trading partner in the Middle East, with last year's trade value of $ 705.1 million dollars (export value of $ 380.8 million dollars, the import value was 324.4 million dollars).
【Torta】
Mexico has a strong image of tacos. To be sure, tacos are one of the popular Mexican light meals and can be eaten at any time of the day, morning, noon, or evening."Torta" is a light meal that is as popular as tacos. It is a sandwich cooked with white bread such as Bolillo and Telera. It has a wide variety and is recommended when you want to finish your meal easily.Typical ingredients include eggs, ham, milanesa (Mexican cutlet), chorizo, avocado, tomatoes, chile and cheese.In addition to the Torta shop, you can eat it at taco shops, cafeterias or fonda.
【Alebrijes】
There is a Mexican folk crafts called "Alebrije".This is a papier-mache doll shaped like a fantasy creature. It is characterized by colorful and fine patterns, and comes in various sizes, from large monuments that are several meters long to small ones that fit in the palm of your hand. The patterns are often hand-painted, and it is said that the same ones are not be found, making them a popular souvenir from Mexico.There are various theories about the origin of this Alebrije, but it is said that the origin is that a craftsman named Pedro Linares Lopez began to make the fictional creatures he dreamed of with papier mache.June 29th is his birthday. Today's theme for Doodle from Google was the 115th anniversary of Pedro Linares Lopez's birth.
https://www.google.com/doodles/pedro-linares-lopezs-115th-birthday?fbclid=IwAR0gTOW6XhVoA_8XuSOqf5A99u22_3BcwIGwZEOW3ruUT393K5uS1TLnyAI
【Guelaguetza festival】
Oaxaca is a popular tourist destination in the Mexico. You can enjoy the colonial cityscape and find many cute miscellaneous goods and folk craft shops in the . It is also attractive that you can enjoy nature.In Oaxaca, the Guelaguetza Festival, one of the largest festivals in Mexico, will be held in July. This is a festival where dancers wearing traditional costumes of indigenous peoples around Oaxaca gather to perform traditional dances peculiar to each ethnic group, and many tourists from all over Mexico visit every year.This year it is being held online.You can't enjoy the atmosphere of the cityscape, but you can enjoy traditional dance up close.https://fb.watch/v/GmUAH9GY/
【Matsutake mushroom】
It seems that matsutake mushrooms can also be harvested in Mexico. It isn't soled in supermarkets very often, so I didn't know at all.When I looked it up immediately, it is harvested in Michoacan and Oaxaca. It is called a similar of white truffles.It is also exported to Japan, and it seems that the taste and aroma are similar to those harvested in Japan
【Sea turtles】
Many sea turtles come to the Mexican coast to spawn. Volunteers protect eggs and release turtles on the beach when eggs are laid.The other day, I experienced the release of baby turtles on the beach of Oaxaca. The beach I visited is a sea turtle sanctuary that is off limits to the general public, and during the spawning season, sea turtles come to ashore for about five days, from the third quarter moon to the new moon. It is said that it will be filled with sea turtles for about 7km once in a while.I couldn't witness the spawning of sea turtles, but released the hatched turtles. When you drop the baby turtles on the beach, they walked toward the sea intently.I pray that these babies will grow up safely and return to this beach.
【Cablebús】
Cablebús is one of Mexico City's public transport systems that is the cableway.This month, Line 2 was opened.Line 2, which runs in the Iztapalapa district in the eastern part of Mexico City, has a total length of 10.55 km, and it is now possible to travel in 36 minutes, which used to take 1 hour and 15 minutes.Moreover, this was certified by the Guinness World Records as the longest cableway in the world as an urban transportation system.Congratulation!!The fare is 7 pesos. There are 7 stations in total.
https://fb.watch/7ETMT-bpoV/
【Frida Kahlo】
Frida Kahlo, one of Mexico's leading painters. I think she is the most famous Mexican in the world.The house where she was borne and her home spent with her husband Diego Rivera are open to the public as a museum.We can find tips what and how she created her worksCoyoacan and San Angel, where those museums are located, are in the heart of southern Mexico City. The colonial cityscape is wonderful and it is also recommended for a walk.
【Tianguis】
In Mexico, there is a market called Tianguis that appears on the streets on weekends or on certain days of the week. Various types of shops such as vegetables, fruits, meat, household goods, clothing, footwear, cosmetics and toys are lined up to support the lives of neighbors.I used to go to the supermarket a lot, but with this Tianguis, I often go to this Tianguis these days because it has a lot of daily necessities and fruits that are ready to eat.There are also shops that sell organic seasonings and gluten-free sweets. I can enjoy it just by looking at them.If you're wondering, "I want this, but where can I buy it?", first, go to the Tianguis nearby and you may find what you are looking for.
【Posada】
The Christmas is the biggest event of the year for most of Mexicans. In December, the city is in Christmas mode. The period before Christmas from December 16th to 24th is called "Posada", and the party season before Christmas begins.This is a celebration of recreating that Maria and Joseph worked around and searched for an inn before the birth of Christ. They visit their neighborhoods, friends and acquaintances' homes with candles and sing songs in front of their homes.I heard a singing voice from the outside at midnight last night. Recently, I felt that the outside was noisy, but I'm sure it was this "Posada".I heard the singing voice in the midnight, around 1:00 am, but it seems that it is common around 10:00 pm.33
【Pueblos Mágico】
There are places of interest called Attractive Towns (Pueblo Mágico) in Mexico.Pueblo Mágico has the symbol or legend which we can feel the history or tradition of Mexico, and many tourist, domestic or international, have visited there.According to the Ministry of Tourism (Tourism Bureau), 132 Pueblos Mágico has been registered now.After February 2020, the tourism industry went down, but as of January 25, 2022, the Ministry of Tourism announced that the average hotel utilization rate nationwide from February 4 to 7 is about 50%.Among the urban area, Merida, Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara are popular, and among the beach area, Nuevo Vallarta, Rivera Maya, Los Cabos and Acapulco are as wellOnce you see pictures of them, you can feel attractive them.If you have any opportunity, please visit Pueblos Mágico.(My goal is to visit all of Pueblo Mágico.)
【COVID-19 test】
The other day, I had a fever, my throat and joints pain. I thought it was just tired, but I decided to take a COVID-19 test just in case.There are PCR test and antigen test, but this time I had an antigen test.In addition to hospitals, tests can be taken at laboratories in pharmacies and other facilities dedicated to COVID-19 testing.There are many places where reservations are not required, but in rare cases reservations are required.This time, I went to the laboratory in the pharmacy.I booked online and paid for it to save time.(The test I received was 299 pesos.)I found a field to enter the passport number at the time of booking.It seems that it is also compatible with overseas travel.Go to the pharmacy shortly before the appointment time and get a ticket at the cash register.Go to the lab, give the ticket and ID to the person in charge, and the test starts.After taking the sample, they confirmed the my name, birthday, etc., and after waiting for a while, the test result came out.The result was "negative".I could receive the results by email as well as by printing out the paper.Looking at the description, I found that it was written in English and Spanish.In addition, there is also a service that comes to your home to collect samples and notifies you of the results by e-mail.At the airport, there are many booths that can be tested without reservation, and in the case of antigen testing, you can get the result in about 15 to 30 minutes.
【FONART】
There are many traditional handicrafts in Mexico.Weaving, embroidery, pottery, woven baskets of plants, paper crafts, etc. These are collectively called "Artesanía".Artesanía refers to products that are hand-crafted and have a cultural or community identity.FONART (Fondo Nacional para el Fomento de las Artesanías) is a government agency responsible for the development of such handicrafts and the support of craftsmen.They have three shops in Mexico City that sell handicrafts from all over Mexico.When I stopped by their store on Reforma Avenue, I could see a lot of wonderful pottery and textiles.Masks made from traditional textiles and embroidery are also on sale.Mexico has a large land area. So I recommend the FONART shop where you can experience various handicrafts in one place.
FONART Galería Reforma
Av. Paseo de la Reforma 116, Juárez,
Cuauhtémoc, 06500 Ciudad de México, CDMX
Mon-Fri 10: 00-19: 00
Saturday and Sunday 10: 00-17: 00
* Business hours may be changed without notice.
https://www.gob.mx/fonart?tab=home
【New Airport Opens】
Felipe Ángeles (AIFA) Airport, a new airport in Mexico City, opened yesterday 21st.The actual location is Mexico state (Estado de Mexico).Since before the opening, "how to get to the airport" was a hot topic.It may be possible to transfer to public transportation, but it is difficult to carry a lot of luggage when using an international flight, etc.It's about an hour and a half from within Mexico City, but I think it will take a little longer considering the transit time.Other transportation such as taxi is about 1 hour 30 minutes from Benito Juarez Airport, 1 hour 40 minutes from Centro (historical district), but 2 hours to 2 and a half hours considering traffic congestion.Currently, there are 4 airlines, 6 domestic flights and 1 international flight available.
【World Intellectual Property Day】
April 26th was World Intellectual Property Day. This year's theme is "IP and Youth: Innovating for a Better Future."In Mexico, the National Institute of Industrial Property (Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad Industrial) held an event to commend excellent inventions, etc. in honor of World Intellectual Property Day.The awards were given to the categories of patents, utility models, designs, and "creative youth" under the title “Premio IMPI a la innovación mexicana”.
【Agave】
Many people think of tequila when they hear Mexico.Tequila is made of this agave.It is also called Magay in Mexico.Agave is a plant that rarely blooms, and it takes decades for it to bloom.It was reported that such agave flowers bloomed in Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki City, near Musashi-kosugi station.If you are near, please enjoy this flowers.
【Digitization on the Immigration check】
An amendment to the Immigration Law was published on April 29, 2022, and came into effect on the following day.This amendment states that technical tools can be used in immigration control.This allowed digital kiosks activated at airports in Mexico City, Cancun and Los Cabos.It can be used for visitors who do not need a visa and Mexican citizens to enter the country.I hope that the immigration congestion will be eliminated.
【Maternity leave in Latin America】
In Mexico, May 10th is Mother's Day. Articles about women with children stand out in newspapers.Among them, I was interested in an article summarizing maternity leave in Latin America.The ILO Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183) stipulates that maternity leave with provision of cash and medical benefits should be at least 14 weeks.In Mexico, this maternity leave is currently set at a minimum of 12 weeks.According to the El Economista's website, supprisingly, Venezuela is allowed 26 weeks of this leave. Chile sets 18 weeks, Brazil sets 17 weeks, and El Salvador sets 16 weeks.In Mexico, there was a plan to extend the maternity leave, but it was suspended.
Source：El Economistahttps://www.eleconomista.com.mx/.../Licencias-de...
【Día del Abogado】
Today July 12th is Lawyer's Day in Mexico.Since 1960, it has been celebrating this day as "Lawyer's Day".This is come from the fact that the first law lecture was given in Mexico July 12th in 1553.By the way, lawyers say "abogado" in Spanish. For Japanese people, its sound is similar to the fruit "avocado" in Japanese.Please note that the fruit "avocado" is called "Aguacate" in Spanish.
【Zoo】
The other day, I went to a zoo in Chapultepec Park, an oasis in Mexico City.Anyone can enter this zoo for free.I didn't expect much because it's free , but I was able to see more animals than I expected.Among them, pandas are very popular.The zoo had two giant pandas, Shuan Shuan and Xin Xin, until last month, but unfortunately, Shuan Shuan has gone on July 6th.Shuan Shuan just celebrated his 35th birthday on June 15th.I was so sorry to hear that. Xin Xin is also now 32 years old. She is said to be over 100 years old if she was a human.I want her to live a long time.
【Cow Parade 2022】
The world-famous public art exhibition Cow Parade is being held at "Paseo de Reforma", the main street of Mexico City.Various cows are on display on both sides of Reforma Street.The cows will finally be auctioned and the proceeds will be donated to non-profit organizations.Reforma Street, which is both wide and long. It's hard to see all the cows at once, but I also enjoyed walking while looking for where they are.The exhibition is until August 28th.
【Irapuato】
Last week, I went to Irapuato, Guanajuato.It is a city that has been ranked high in the world's most dangerous cities for the past few years, but, there are many Japanese companies and many Japanese people live in this city. This was my third visit, but many Japanese companies are located in the suburbs, and I never been to the central area (Centro) before, so this time I walked around the Centro for the first time.It was small, but it was very beautiful with a cathedral, church, and park.Irapuato is also famous for producing strawberries. Public art with a strawberry motif was also exhibited in the park.And the "o" in Irapuato is in the shape of a strawberry. This is so cute that I couldn't help but take a picture.
【Mexico-Japan Art Day started】
The event "Jornadas de Arte México-Japón" is being held from August 20th to October 2nd at the Centro Nacional de las Artes in Mexico City.Theatrical and musical performances, Movies, and the first Ibero-American-Japanese International Art Research Symposium are scheduled.There are also free events.Don't miss it.
https://www.cenart.gob.mx/.../jornadas-de-arte-mexico.../...
【The first expereince of Sukiyaki】
We had the Christmas party yesterday. I always don't know what to eat, but at this time, I chose sukiyaki as a way to experience Japanese food culture.This is the first experience for Mexican members.It's the first time they've seen a cassette stove, and they've ever cooked on the table.They were intrigued.The closure is a raw egg. When I told them that it would be delicious if I dipped it in a raw egg, they were surprised, but since the members were full of curiosity, we all ordered the raw egg.Our Mexican members were also delighted, saying, "The taste is completely different from when I eat it as is, and it's delicious."We enjoyed not only the taste but also the "Sukiyaki" itself.
【After three years】
On January 6th, it was "Dias de los reyes magos".We eat the bread called "Rosca de Reyes" in Mexico.This year, all of our members were in the office, so we ate it for the first time in three years in the office.There are mini figures inside the bread, someone who got it can receive lots of blessings.That was small Rosca but there were 2 figures, and I got it!!