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Mi Casa Es Su Casa

Explore the sights, sounds, tastes and scents of Mexico with your camerawords and photos Maura Wall Hernandez

Mexico is my home away from home. Every

corner I turn, every meal I eat and every

new place I explore is a source of inspiration

to me. And I never go anywhere without

a camera so I can be sure to capture every experience I come

across, see and feel. From the moment the plane approaches the

runway and I can see the vibrant colours of the homes below

to the lush, jungle-like vegetation I’ve admired in places such

as Cancun and Huatulco, Mexico always takes my breath away

and has me fumbling for my camera before I even

touch the ground.

I’ve laid down in dirt, sand, and on a world-famous soccer

field to get a shot. I’ve climbed high above the 1968 Olympic

stadium and to the top of Aztec pyramids toting my cameras

for an eagle’s eye view, and into the ocean, carrying my

camera high above my head until the tide receded enough to

safely photograph marine life. But usually the biggest

thrill comes from the simplest of things:

family and friends.

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A Panorama Of PyramidsTeotihuacán, Mexico’s most visited

archaeological site, features the Pyramid of the Sun, third largest in the world

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All Over Mexico CityFrom mosiac murals to cityscapes and Olympic stadiums, there’s a wealth of Mexican imagery to be snapped

I first travelled to Mexico City several years ago to meet

my then soon-to-be in-laws. As the plane approached Benito

Juarez International Airport, I took in the urban footprint

extending as far as the eye could see. Even with the ubiquitous

smoke and fog shroud that covers the city for two-thirds of

the year, the extension of construction from up in the air is

one of the most impressive sights I’ve ever seen. It was not the

Mexico I was expecting as I pressed my face against the glass

trying to catch a glimpse of what awaited me below. I salivated

at the thought of finally experiencing landmarks and historic

sites, eating street food and visiting the markets – things I had

only previously read about in books or magazines – and then

discovering the didactic modern yet historic city.

Upon exiting the airport, the culture shock is rather

strong if you have never been to a developing country: poverty

is evident everywhere you turn. From the young children

peddling Chiclets in the street to elderly women begging

for a coin at a traffic light, the first impression can be quite

disheartening to those not expecting it. There is graffiti

everywhere and the streets and infrastructure are in a sad state

of decay in the neighbourhood directly outside of the airport.

But like in every other large city, beauty can be found almost

anywhere. And it’s especially embedded in the people.

Mexicans are a warm, trusting, boisterous and kind people,

despite what you may have seen on the news or impressions

from foreign media often only talking about the violence and

disorder – things which exist, but in my opinion do not define

Mexico. The people are respectful of tradition and go to great

lengths to accommodate and please their guests. They work

hard in spite of corruption and other elements that threaten

Mexico’s very existence as a free state. Family is always placed

ahead of work and other societal responsibilities and centuries-

old tradition remains king in modern-day Mexico.

Families may spend years of savings on parties for their

young daughters. A First Holy Communion or a quinceañera (a

girl’s 15th birthday party), both considered rites of passage, can

become events of lavish expenditure – sometimes as costly as a

wedding. A posada (a Christmas celebration) brings together

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Wheeling And DealingA man peddles his

pinwheels and toys near the National Museum of

Anthropology in Mexico City

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TktktktMasterpieceRuth displays the tools of her trade – beads, stones, metal threads,

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The Many Faces Of MexicoWhere ancient Aztec iconography meets modern urban graffiti, where real butterflies and those in costume flutter about, and traditional favourites such as coffee and empanadas are tasty treats for all, there’s never a dull photograph in Mexico — the trick is to experience them all and to always be ready to capture every moment

families and neighbours who help each other throughout the

year. They share in song, warmth and the traditional seasonal

meals and treats.

Which brings me to my favourite thing about the country:

its food. Since my very first bite of Mexican cuisine, I have

become enchanted by the passion involved in the preparation

and the colourful presentation of even the simplest of dishes.

Mexican food lends itself to bright, interesting and fulfilling

photographic shoots. The variety of ingredients and

preparations allow for experimentation both in the kitchen

and with table settings.

The food is also a reflection of a cultural identity that

is uniquely Mexican. From the ancient civilisations that

claimed large portions of the continent come dishes that

have changed very little over hundreds of years. The tortilla,

simply a paste of corn and slaked lime cooked on a hot

griddle, has been consumed by Mexicans for at least 2,000

years. They fill it with anything available: from delicacies

such as ant larvae or stink bugs to more everyday choices

such as chicken, pork or beef. Tortillas transcend social

strata and are a staple in the diet of every Mexican family,

rich and poor.

In fact, in 2010, UNESCO granted special status

to Mexican cuisine as an intangible cultural heritage of

humanity, honouring the food, its storied preparation

techniques and its importance in the global context.

But despite this recent attention to the country, Mexico

has been a cultural beacon for thousands of years. The

Mayans first came up with the notion of zero as well as a

calendar that remains accurate after more than 3,000 years.

Their delicate jewellery has outstanding craftsmanship,

intricately made with tools that were relatively advanced

for their time. After the Spaniards conquered the dominant

civilisation – the Aztecs – and colonised the land, incredible

works of art have been unearthed ranging from architecture

to music and have been great gifts to humankind’s heritage.

Currently, Mexico has 31 UNESCO World Heritage

Sites that range from pre-Columbian pyramids to the

Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. One glorious example

is the central campus of the National Autonomous University

of Mexico in Mexico City, which has well-known architecture

from the mid-20th century, unique art by the country’s

most renowned muralists, and historic monuments, all

within about 20 hectares. These sites certainly afford any

photographer great opportunities for memorable shots.

But what’s most important beyond the abundance of

historic significance before your eyes on a visit to Mexico is

that you stop and take in the details; the sights, the sounds,

the smells. It will deliver to your senses a richness that you

never could have imagined existed there before.

engage

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