One of the great things about the MGYS Award is not only the opportunity to learn more about the beef cattle industry, it’s getting to experience another country and its culture at the same time! The hospitality in Mexico has been incredible – I’ve been made feel so welcome, and spending Easter here has been amazing. Mexicans are very family oriented so there have been lots of family gatherings over Easter as well as religious services. Both the Expo Ganadera (livestock show) and Tepatitlan’s major fiesta, called ‘Feria Tepabril 2011’ started over Easter and run simultaneously for the next fortnight. The Fiesta kicked off with a huge street parade attended by huge crowds, with heaps of stalls and shops, big squares lit up with festive lights, and a concert. The Fiesta has music, dance, charreria (rodeo), sport and religious activities, as well as the world’s largest tequila barrel – it holds 270 000L! Food has been another really interesting adventure - I’ve had a huge variety of tacos, enchiladas, flautas, quesadillas, & chimichangas – so much better than the Australian versions. Everything comes with chilli salsa - I love it more than a lot of Mexicans do, which they think is amazing! I got to try my hand at making tortillas in a restaurant which was fun! Have even tried some rather unusual dishes such as pigs nose, tongue, beef cheek, goats milk icecream & lollipops, rabbit, ceviches, & prickly pear cactus fruit & leaves.
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| Tacos - the mexican staple! - from the "best taco place in Tepa" (L-R: taco made from the face of the cow; carne (beef) taco; roast pork; & pork belly taco. They all come with sides of finely chopped white onion, coriander, salsa - as many different types as you could imagine - and lime. |
