So what do people normally know about Mexico?
 ...That its
food is amazing. No wonder, they introduced corn, chilies
and….hot chocolate to the world (yummy!). Hot chocolate was the
sacred drink of the Aztecs.
Another common point -Aztecs (or Mexicans) were conquered by the
Spanish. Surprisingly these two facts are somehow related: When Spanish
Conquistador Hernan Cortés arrived, the Aztecs believed he was their returning
god (Quetzalcoatl) and offered him the drink of the gods: hot chocolate….sad
and funny at the same time.
But this is history, what about nowadays?
Everybody knows that the capital of Mexico is Mexico City. Perhaps
many know that it is one of the largest cities in the world and was built on
the site of ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan. But do you know that Mexico
City sinks almost 10 inches a year because it is situated on the lake
and pumps drain water from it for the city. 
When I think of Mexico the first thing that comes to my mind is that it’s
poor. Though statistics says that only under 4% of people are unemployed in
Mexico, one should keep in mind that over 20% of people are underemployed (in
very low paid jobs).Violent crimes are a serious problem in Mexico due to
drug-trafficking and gang violence, but in 2009 Mexico legalized the possession
of small amounts of narcotics, including some pretty dangerous ones. The idea
was to send addicts to a rehab rather than jail and to free up authorities to
go after bigger fish. The second thing I think about – it’s one of
the greatest tourist attractions (I’m all for it, have been there many times,
it’s really really cool and for little money (for Americans, not for us
unfortunately)) Wonderful beaches and great diversity of flora and fauna make
Mexico a perfect place for snorkeling and all types of diving. Add there
famous Mexican cuisine and amazing historical sites and here we go – best
vacation destination (unless you don’t have to cross the Atlantic like us…)
Can’t help mentioning some mysterious facts about main archeological heritage
of Mexico – Chichen Itza, famous Mayan pyramids (officially recognized as one
of the Seven Wonders of the World):
 If you stand
in a certain place by the main pyramid in Chichen Itzá, you will hear a
bird-like sound. Some experts think that this represents the Call of the sacred
bird and gained by building several air passages that recreate the sound when a
breeze passes by.
During the two equinoxes of the year, when the sun rises and sets, the
pyramid "El Castillo” in Chichén Itzá shows the perfect shadow of a
serpent moving along its side. To achieve this, Mayans must have used
calculations with an incredible
precision of many decimal digits!
And some Mexican "specialties”:
Although Christmas in Mexico is celebrated on 25 December, children do
not receive presents on that day. They receive gifts on January 6 (Epiphany),
the day on which Mexicans celebrate the arrival of the Three Wise Men.
If
you get invited for a meal to a Mexican home, make sure you do NOT arrive on
time. Give them at least half an hour grace, before you go, else it's
considered improper.
At a party, only if there are a large number of people, you should
introduce yourself. If it's a small gathering, then the host deals with
introducing the guests.
I bet there was something new for you, wasn’t there? Every country is
unique in its own way! You live and
learn...
| 
