Foreign Fiction
There must be hundreds of novels by outsiders set in Mexico, all too many in the sex-and-shopping genre: apart from those below, others to look out for include a whole clutch of modern Americans, especially Jack Kerouac 's Desolation Angels (Flamingo/Riverhead) and several of Richard Brautigan's novels. And of course there's Carlos Castaneda 's Don Juan series (Arkana/Pocket Books) - a search for enlightenment through peyote. Taisha Abelar , The Sorcerer's Crossing (Penguin). The extraordinary true story of an American woman who joins an all-female group of sorcerers in Mexico and undergoes a rigorous physical and mental training process, designed to enable her to breach the limits of ordinary perception. Tony Cartano , After the Conquest (Seeker & Warburg, o/p) An extraordinary fictional account of a fictional author who believes he is B. Traven's son and sets out to discover the truth about his father. A psychological thriller that is also full of Mexican history and politics. Eduardo Galeano , Genesis, Faces and Masks (both W.W. Norton). The opening parts of a trilogy by a Uruguayan writer, these anthologies of Indian legends, colonists' tales and odd snatches of history illuminate the birth of Latin America. Not specifically Mexican, but wonderful, relevant reading nonetheless. Graham Greene , The Power and the Glory (Penguin). Inspired by his investigative travels, this story of a doomed whisky priest on the run from the authorities makes a great yarn. It was a wonderful movie too. Gary Jennings , Aztec (Forge). Sex and sacrifice in ancient Mexico in this gripping bestseller. The narrator travels around the Aztec empire in search of his fortune, chancing upon almost every ancient culture along the way, and sleeping with most of them, until finally the Spanish arrive. Perfect beach or bus reading, and informative too. D.H. Lawrence , The Plumed Serpent (Wordsworth/Vintage). One of Lawrence's own favourites, the novel reflects his intense dislike of the country that followed on from the brief honeymoon period of Mornings in Mexico . Fans of his heavy spiritualism will love it. Haniel Long , The Marvelous Adventure of Cabeza de Vaca (Picador). Two short stories in one volume - the first the account of a ship-wrecked conquistador's journey across the new continent, the second the thoughts and hopes of Malinche, Cortes' interpreter. Malcolm Lowry , Under the Volcano (Penguin/Plume). A classic since its publication, Lowry's account of the last day in the life of the British Consul in Cuernavaca - passed in a mescal -induced haze - is totally brilliant. His Dark as the Grave Wherein my Friend is Laid is also based on his Mexican experiences. James A. Michener , Mexico (Crest). Another doorstop from Michener. Fans will love it. B. Traven , various works. Traven wrote a whole series of compelling novels set in Mexico. Among the best known are Treasure of the Sierra Madre (Prion/Hill & Wang) and The Death Ship (L Hill Books), but of more direct interest if you're travelling are such works as The Bridge in the Jungle and the other six books in the Jungle series: Government, The Carreta, March to the Monteria, Trozas, The Rebellion of the Hanged and General from the Jungle (all Allison & Busby/I R Dee, some o/p). These latter all deal with the state of the peasantry and the growth of revolutionary feeling in the last years of the Diaz dictatorship, and if at times they're overly polemical, as a whole they're enthralling. Will Wyatt's The Secret of the Sierra Madre: The Man who was B. Traven (Harcourt Brace) is the best of the books on the quest for the author's identity.
My Birthday giftAlex Arvizu says "If you happen to come to the Yucatan Peninsula you must visit both Isla Mujeres and Isla Contoy.
Isla Mujeres is a great place to relax and enjoy a laid back atmosphere.
Isla Contoy, an unhabited island north of Isla Mujeres, will take you back to the days when the first settlers arrived and found these amazing virgin islands. The feeling is equal to none." Tour Mayan Pyramids On Line (Video + Stills)David Mundstock says "My film "Mayavision” features the major Mayan cities of Copan, Tikal, Chichen Itza, and Uxmal in both Central America and Mexico. It also includes Mexico City, with the Virgin of Guadalupe and the temples of Teotihuacán. The film begins in Honduras, Belize, and Guatemala.
“Mayavision” can be seen on the web, if you have a high speed internet connection.
This is a free, non-commercial, streaming video on the Windows Media Player. No ads and no strings attached. I sell absolutely nothing.
With any modem you can view the new gallery of Mayan Pyramid still pictures.
The video can be watched and stills viewed by asking a search engine for:
Intrepid Berkeley Explorer
There are over 30 of my other free, amateur travel videos on-line including trips to China, Russia, Antarctica, Italy, the UK, Japan, Australia, Bali, Africa, Greece, and Turkey; see lions, whales, elephants, or penguins.
The Intrepid Berkeley Explorer" what not to dojosie says "don't let mexican people see you translation book because the will think taht you are an idiot! don't look like you have money you are likely to get robbed and what ever you do don't wear a sombrero!!" !GO MEXICO GO!sarahid says " don't be mean to a mexican, because they going to thick you are idiot<, and be respecful every timr whith others, mexicans don't care if you wear a hat is ok." New hostel in townEnsenada Backpacker says "There is a new hostel in Ensenada Baja California Mexico
www.ensenadabackpacker.com"
Your Tip for Mexico
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