OLGA GUILLOT DEAD AT 87

If you've gotten through life without discovering Olga Guillot, her obituary in The New York Times will acquaint you with the basic facts of this beloved singer's life. Although born in Cuba, her career was made in Mexico; she's known all over Latin America as the 'Queen of the Bolero.' Her husky, emotion-laden voice has been recorded endlessly, and she appeared in many movies during the 1950's and 60's. You can find her music in any market throughout the country or on amazon.com.

The Youtube video below gives you the visceral information. Here she is, in 1968.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu95ECRM1e8

Another Youtube video gives a little of her history.

EIGHT AND A HALF REASONS WHY I LOVE LIVING IN MEXICO CITY

(map of Mexico by Miguel Covarrubias at the Museo de Arte Popular)


Recently fellow Mexico blogger Paul Roberts wrote about the internet phenomenon of lists. From ‘10 Ways to Keep Your Marriage Alive’, ‘5 Painless Tips for Losing Weight’, and ‘1000 Things You Must See Before You Die’, lists are everywhere. It turns out that in our age of sound bites and news clips, listing information leads to larger readership. Inspired by his lead, I decided to give it a try.

Each time I return from travelling, I feel renewed appreciation for being able to live in Mexico City. So herewith are my “EIGHT AND A HALF REASONS WHY I LOVE LIVING IN MEXICO CITY”.

1. I can get freshly squeezed orange juice a block away for $2 a liter.
2. People say ‘buen provecho’ to strangers in restaurants.
3. There’s a statue of the rain god Tlaloc in Chapultepec Park.
4. The metro costs 3 pesos.
5. The Jamaica flower market
6. People still cook with handmade pottery.
7. Birds sing outside my bedroom window
8. The Pasteleria Ideal
   

8.5 You can buy half a cauliflower in the market (or a single stalk of celery, a sprig of parsely, one egg)