Texcoco Fair - Mexican Rodeo

The 2011 Texcoco Fair is set to begin soon, running from April 8th to May 1st. I've never been to this fair but have always wanted to go, especially with it being so close to Mexico City.

2011 Texcoco Fair Program

The Texcoco Fair is heavy on music with many artists of the norteño variety (northern Mexican music, something like country/western).

As well as music, the fair features great food, a rodeo, horse show, bull fighting, and cock fighting (unfortunately).

Sexism in Spanish Language - Mexico

From the BBC

Mexico's interior ministry has published a guide on how to reduce the use of sexist language in a nation renowned for its machismo.

The Manual for the Non-sexist Use of Language is being distributed to government offices across Mexico.

It seeks to reduce comments that enforce gender stereotypes, as well as the default use of the masculine form in the Spanish language.

The manual was written by a body that tackles violence against women.

In its introduction, the manual describes itself as "a tool to familiarize federal public workers with the use of non-sexist strategies in the Spanish language".

It discourages the use of phrases such as: "If you want to work, why did you have children," and: "You are prettier when you keep quiet".

Interesting indeed. Mexico is quite the macho country, in language, attitude, the home, and everywhere else though I've always experienced it here as a two-sided coin with good and bad. Mexico City is not nearly as macho as the countryside can be what with a fairly liberal and modern mindset in its populace. I am curious as to how to eliminate the default use of the masculine though as I know of no neutral form for some words, such as sibling or parent (hermano/a and padres/papas).

Mexican Economy

is set for a strong bounce upwards, according to the BBC and the Mexican finance minister.

BBC story...

Mexico's problem of drug violence is serious but there is no evidence investors are being put off, Mexico's finance minister has said.

Ernesto Cordero told the BBC that the tourism sector also seemed unaffected by concerns over violence.

Mr Cordero, speaking in London, said that Mexico was set to continue its strong economic performance, with growth this year set for 4% to 5%.

The effect of rising oil prices on the US recovery is a key concern, he said.

The minister said that Mexico was facing and solving the problem of criminality, a reference to the drug-related violence that has seen high murder rates in some regions of the country.

"There is no evidence investment is not coming to Mexico or that investors are being put off because of violence," he said.

The drug war has undoubtedly harmed the tourism industry in many places in Mexico, including Acapulco, Mazatlan, and others. But it isn't hurting the rest of the economy strangely.

Carlos Slim - Rich and Gettin' Richer

Carlos slim, already the world's fattest fat cat, got fatter. 38% percent richer this past year as a matter of fact.

BBC and forbes report:

Mexico's Carlos Slim has topped the latest Forbes magazine rich list, as his wealth grew by more than a third.

The telecoms magnate's fortune rose by $20.5bn (£12.65bn) to $74bn, again beating Microsoft founder Bill Gates ($56bn) into second place.

More than 200 people joined the billionaires list as their numbers rose to a new record of 1,210, Forbes said.

Six billionaires connected with Facebook are now on the list including, Mark Zuckerberg and Sean Parker.

They are joined by Facebook investors Peter Thiel and Yuri Milner as well as co-founders Eduardo Saverin and Dustin Moskovitz, who is the youngest person on the list at 26.

Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad was the biggest loser, down $17bn to $6bn.

I could certainly use a handout...