"We always need an excuse to celebrate" was the motto of an old video series that I began producing some years ago. Though I eventually dropped the episodes because of time issues, I still believe this phrase is valid... And today is Cinco de Mayo! This holiday commemorates the Battle of Puebla, where the Mexican army achieved an important victory over the French forces, who attempted to colonize Mexico through an invasion in the name of Napoleon III.
Cinco de Mayo should not be mistaken for the Independence of Mexico. The latter is celebrated every 16th of September in commemoration of the "Cry of Dolores", the first military movement that would gave way to the independence of Mexico. Some people also confuse Cinco de Mayo with the Day of the Dead, which takes place on November 2 as a religious festivity to remember and pray for those who have departed.
Every year, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in Puebla with military parades. In fact, it is a federal holiday and it's not commemorated in every part of Mexico. People around the world have popularized the festivity because it is seen as a celebration of Mexican cultural heritage and traditions. That is why some people choose to drink beer or tequila, eat Mexican food, listen to rancheras and corridos, and decorate with Mexican ornaments during this holiday.
Did you know tacos aren't exactly traditional Mexican food? Well, at least not the kind of tacos you can find at fast food restaurants like Taco Bell. The real Mexican taco is made with a soft corn tortilla, and it doesn't have cheese (it sounds like a blasphemy, doesn't it?). The main ingredient in a taco is meat, usually mixed with ingredients like onions and cilantro. Below you can appreciate a small gallery of one of my favorite dishes ever (tostadas!), which happens to be a typical Mexican platter. By the way, I recently had a discussion about this being fast food or not. What do you guys think?
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