Happy Birthday Frida Kahlo
Edited by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady
MEXICO CELEBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF FRIDA KAHLO’S BIRTH
 June 6th marks the 100th birthday of Frida Kahlo, the
acclaimed artist and feminist icon born in Mexico City in 1907. To commemorate
her 100th birthday and legacy, Mexico City is hosting several important events
in her honor including an exhibition at Casa Azul, the house Kahlo grew up in,
and a retrospective of her artwork in Mexico City.
Commemorating the life and legacy of the artist with
special events
The retrospective will be taking place in the Fine Arts
Palace in Mexico City and will be the largest comprehensive exhibit of Kahlo’s
work ever. The most recent international exhibition took place in 2005 in London
and compiled 87 pieces of her work. The Fine Arts Palace exhibition, however,
will display 354 pieces of her works on loan from Detroit, Miami, Los Angeles,
San Francisco and Nayoga, Japan.
 The exhibit, slated to open on June 13 until August 19,
will have one-third of her artistic production, manuscripts and 50 letters that
have not been previously displayed.
“Frida Kahlo is essential to our Mexican culture and art
history,” commented Francisco Lopez Mena, CEO of the Mexico Tourism Board. “Her
legacy is carried on worldwide and people from all over the world journey to
Mexico to see her work and where she lived,” added Lopez Mena.
 Every year thousands of visitors flock to the city to see
her artwork and experience first-hand where she lived. For instance Tia
Stephanie Tours, based out of Michigan, will be offering a special “Frida Kahlo
Anniversary Tour” in Mexico City from August 10 – 17. This special itinerary
includes visits to the National Museum of Anthropology, the chinampas or
Floating Gardens of Xochimilco, a day trip to Puebla and Cholula to see the
majolica style Talavera tile and a performance of the Ballet Folklorico. There
will also be guided tours of the great murals of Mexican artists Rivera, Orozco,
and Siquieros, and dining at some of Mexico City’s top-rated restaurants and
eateries.
 Also during the month of August, the Casa Azul, located in
the southern Mexico City neighborhood of Coyoacan, and now the Frida Kahlo
Museum, will be holding a special exhibit of letters from Diego and a collection
of wardrobe items recently found at Casa Azul. Anthropologist and curator,
Marta Turok will discuss the importance of indigenous dress in cultural
diversity and heritage. For more information on the tour, please go to
www.tiastephanietours.com.
MEXICO CELEBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF FRIDA KAHLO’S BIRTH
 In May of last year, Frida Kahlo’s Roots painting made
history at a Sotheby’s auction. The painting was sold for US$5,616,000, the
highest amount ever paid for a Latin American work of art at an auction. Roots,
1943, oil on metal, one of the most beautifully detailed works from Kahlo’s most
celebrated period, had never before appeared on the public market.
The celebrated painter depicted the indigenous Mexican
culture in her work by combining surrealism, symbolism and realism, was married
to Mexican muralist painter, Diego Rivera, and was an active communist who had a
torrid affair with Leon Trotsky, the Bolshevik revolutionary and Marxist
theorist.
 Kahlo’s unique and highly personal artistic expression was
largely derived in part from a tragic bus/trolley accident she was involved in
and her subsequent physical and mental pain; along with the anguish of her
inability to have children. Her tumultuous marriage to Diego Rivera and her
overtly bisexual gender also influenced her work.
Kahlo was also known for her extravagant display of rich
and colorful indigenous clothing from regions throughout Mexico. She embraced
and honored the cultural heritage of her native Mexico by wearing the regional
dress from Oaxaca, such as Tehuantepec and Amusgo.
In the last three decades Kahlo has gained admiration from
around the world, which resulted in the 2002 movie about her life starring Salma
Hayek, which helped to ignite an even stronger interest in the life and work of
the artist.
RECENT MEXICO STORIES BY MADELYN MILLER
Los Cabos Shutterbug
http://travellady.com/Issues/April07/4083aSHUTTERBUG.htm
Cinco de Mayo
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/May07/4125CINCODEMAYO.htm
Mexican Food
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/November06/3694MexicanCuisine.htm
The difference between Tex-Mex and Mexican food
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/September06/3564TexMex.htm’
Sugar Skulls and Altars
Mexico celebrates Day of the Dead
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/September06/3531SUGARSKULLS.htm
Cancun all-inclusive
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/March04/604Mexicocancun.htm
Acapulco—Fun for all
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/July06/3397Acapulco.htm
Lusting for the Lemon Lady and other marvelous memories of
Merida
http://www.ravellady.com/Issues/July06/3001LemonLady.htm
Grazing on Grasshopers and other Culinary Delights
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/January05/1010GrazingonGrasshoppers.htm
Unesco World Heritage Site Baja, California
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/June06/3356WORLDHERITAGE.htm
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Mexican Beer
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/May06/3267Celebrate.htm
Playa Parasio. A pictures perfect Mexican vacation
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/March04/604Mexicocancun.htm
Puerta Vallarta: The culinary capital of Mexico
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/Issue50/PuertoVallarta.htm
From the Closet to the Spotlight: Mexican contemporary art
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/January03/FromtheClosettotheSpotlight.htm
Something Seductive to do when it is really cold Outside
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/November03/Something%20Seductive%20to%20Do%20When%20It's%20Really%20Cold%20Outside.htm
Cancun Nude resort
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/July03/CancunNudeResort.htm
I was an Inaugural Virgin: Ixtapa
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/February04/IWasanInauguralVirgin.htm
Hummer Trekking in Los Cabos
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/January07/3800ADVENTUREHUMMER.htm
BEST MAP
Hammond International
Mexico and Central America
www.hammondmap.com
GUIDEBOOKS
FROMMERS MEXICO 2006
(comes with foldout map)
By David Baird and Lynne Bairstow
Published by Wiley Inc
www.frommers.com
MEXICO: HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAVEL GUIDE
By Robert H. Page MD and Curtis P. Page MD
Including a comprehensive directory of the best hospitals and English Speaking
Doctors
Published by MedToGo
info@medtogo.com
INSIGHT GUIDES MEXICO
Extremely well organized with lots of practical tips
Langenscheidt Publishers
www.insightguides.com
A TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE JEWISH CARIBBEAN AND SOUTH AMERICAN
By Ben G. Frank
A practical, anecdotal, and adventurous journey through historic Jewish
Caribbean and South America including Kosher restaurants, cafes, synagogues, and
museums, plus cultural and heritage sites.
LET’S GO MEXICO
Edited by Anthony Gabriele
ST.MARTIN’S PRESS
www.letsgo.com
Lonely Planet Mexico
Well organized with great pictures and maps
Terrific section on shopping
www.lonelyplanet.com
EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES MEXICO
DK PUBLISHING, INC
WWW.dk.com
FOLK WISDOM OF MEXICO
By Jeff M. Sellers
Proverbs turn truth into Poetry
www.chronicebooks.com
TRAVELERS TALES GUIDES
MEXICO
Edited by James O’Reily and Larry Habegger
MEXICAN DAYS
Journeys into the Heart of Mexico
By Tony Cohan
www.broadwaysbooks.com
WHERE TO STAY
Marquis Reforma
Paseo de la Reforma 465 Col. Cuauhtémoc. México, D.F. 06500
T: (52) 55 5229-1200 F: (52) 55 5229-1212 Toll free from the US 1(800) 235-2387
www.marquisreforma.com
Hotel Nikko Mexico
Campos Eliseos No. 204, Col. Polanco
Chapultepec, 11560 Mexico, D.F.
Tel: 52-55-5283-8700
Fax: 52-55-5280-9191
Hotel Galería Plaza / Brisas Hotel & Resorts Hamburgo 195.
Col Juárez México DF. 06600 Tel (55) 52 30 17 11 Fax (55) 52 08 03 34 Mexico
01-800-227-4727
WWW.brisas.com.mx
WHERE TO EAT
La Jolle in the Marquis Reforma.
Au Pied de Cochon, is an original French bistro atmosphere
that is open 24 hours a day offering traditional French cuisine featuring
seafood and other imaginative dishes. Located in the Presidente Intercontinental
Best Driver/Guide
Eduardo Nieto Villalobos “Lalo”
5679.8116 home
Cell 044-55-1954-6734
BEST MARKET
Mercado Sabado
BEST ADVICE
Don’t hail a cab. (Kidnapping is no joke.) Have the hotel
or restaurant arrange a safe ride. And beware the alcohol consumption
BEST PLACE FOR PEOPLE WATCHING
Cafe culture meets gallery chic in Condesa, the Mexico City
neighborhood that’s become the new oasis for young bohemia.
GREAT GUIDEBOOKS
INSIGHT POCKET GUIDE MEXICO CITY
APA Publications
www.insightguides.com
LONELY PLANET MEXICO CITY'
By John Noble
www.lonelyplanet.com
MOON HANDBOOK MEXICO CITY
By Chris Humphrey and Joe Cummings
Avalon Travel Publishing
www.moon.com
EAT SMART IN MEXICO
A travel Guide for Food Lovers
By Joan & David Peterson
Ginko Press
www.gingkopress.com
LIVE BETTER SOUTH OF THE BORDER
By Mexico Mike Nelson
Fulcrum Publishing
www.fulcrum-books.com
ON MEXICAN TIME
By Tony Cohan
An American writer and his wife find a new home-- and a new lease on life--in
the charming sixteenth-century hill town of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
BEST BOOK ON GARDENS
A stunning collection of the gardens and landscapes of
Mexico
PARAÍSO MEXICANO: Gardens, Landscapes, and Mexican Soul
(Clarkson Potter/Publishers, March 2002) by Marie-Pierre Colle.
BEST SOUVENIRS OF MEXICO
legal drugs. I always get Retin-A for myself and friends. I
know people who also buy antibiotics and other prescription drugs that are
available over-the-counter in Mexico
Damiana. A sweet liquor believed to be an aphrodisiac. I
think it works because it is so yummy you drink too much. And the bottle could
be a collector’s item, it is shaped like a voluptuous nude woman
Mexican sea salt. Easily available in supermarkets. A
wonderful gifts for gourmet foodie friends.
Other food gifts include mountain grown coffee, Mexican
vanilla, and sweets made of tamarindo and coconut.
MOST REQUESTED THINGS TO BRING BACK FOR FRIENDS
RETINA- if you are old enough to need it, you know what it
is and will appreciate that it costs about 90% less if you buy it in Mexico. If
you have lots of friends who want it, it may be worth a trip to Wal-Mart. But
call ahead and tell them you want to order some, the day I was there they only
had 3 tubes in stock. I had had four disappointed friends.
Kahlua
Mezcal with a worm
MY FAVORITE MEXICAN DRINK
Dirty banana (recipe compliments of Dorado Pacifico
Ixtapa)
-
½ oz. condensed milk
-
½ oz. coconut cream
-
½ oz coffee liquor
-
1 oz. brandy
-
½ banana
Combine all ingredients and blend with ice
Serve in tall glass garnished with a banana slice
TO GET A TASTE OF MEXICO AT HOME
CULINARY MEXICO
By Daniel Hoyer
Gibbs Smith Publisher
www.gibbs-smith.com
LA COMIDA DEL BARIO
By Ron Sanchez
Latin-American cooking in the USA
Sanchez is one of the cohosts of MELTING POT on Food Network
Clarkson Potter Publishers
www.randomhouse.com
www.clarksonpotter.com
A YUCATAN KITCHEN
By Loretta Scott Miller
Regional recipes from Mexico’s Mundo Maya
Pelican
www.pelicanpub.com
SPEAK LIKE A NATIVE
HIDE THIS SPANISH BOOK
Berlitz
The cover gives this warning: Highly inflammatory text inside, so not open near
Spanish teachers, not for classroom use. Inside, you will find the lingo on
sex—before, during and after, and fashion trends and styles.
www.berlitzbooks.com/hidethisbook.htm
LISTEN TO THE SOUNDS OF MEXICO
LATIN PLAYGROUNDS
A Fiesta of upbeat Latin American music for children and families
Putumayo World Music
www.putumayo.com
MEXICO
Savor the spicy and romantic flavors of Mexican music from the “sones” of
Veracruz to the “boleros” of Oaxaca
www.putumayo.com
MUSIC FROM THE COFFEE LANDS
Melodic, uplifting Latin and African songs are the essence of this musical
journey. Get a cup of coffee, sit back and enjoy this music from the “coffee
lands”
www.putumayo.com
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this Cd will be
contributed to Coffee Kids, an International non-profit organization established
to improve the quality of life for children and families who live in
coffee-growing communities around the world.
Madelyn Miller is a travel and food writer who loves
Mexico. Read her stories on
www.travellady.com,
www.carladynews.com,
www.chocolateatlas.com,
www.cocktailatlas.com,
www.teaAtlas.com and
http://www.americanwinery.com/contributor/writer/28 |
