The Mysterious Disappearance of 43 Mexican Students

Posted November 27, 2022 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Hodge Podge

In September 2014, 43 Mexican students were kidnapped. No one knows what happened to them.

Cerro Culiacán, Mexican Mountain of Mystery

Posted November 13, 2022 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Hodge Podge, Uncategorized

Could a mysterious city exist underneath this pyramid-shaped mountain in Guanajuato?

A Tale of Two Witch Towns: Naica, Chihuahua and La Biznaga, Coahuila

Posted August 21, 2022 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Hodge Podge

Two towns in northern Mexico vie for the title, “Witch Capital of the World.”

The Mysterious Disappearance of Mexican Supermodel Gabriela Rico Jiménez

Posted June 19, 2022 Robert Bitto6 CommentsPosted in Hodge Podge

A Mexican supermodel was found disoriented and ranting in front of a hotel. What happened to her?

Loteria, The Story of Mexican Picture Bingo

Posted April 10, 2022 Robert Bitto2 CommentsPosted in Hodge Podge

The colorful and intriguing Mexican picture bingo game has an uncertain future.

Stranded on Socorro Island

Posted January 23, 2022January 23, 2022 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Hodge Podge

Not many Mexicans know of this lonely island located over 700 miles into the Pacific.

The Mysterious Crash of Mexicana Flight 704

Posted December 19, 2021 Robert Bitto3 CommentsPosted in Hodge Podge

We may never know the real reason for one of Mexico’s biggest aviation disasters.

Hanal Pixán, Day of the Dead of the Maya

Posted October 30, 2021 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Hodge Podge

The modern Maya have their own special take on Day of the Dead called Hanal Pixán

Cherán, Indigenous Autonomous Zone

Posted September 19, 2021September 19, 2021 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Hodge Podge

Tired of abuse from criminals and politicians, the town of Cherán declared itself self-governing.

Tarahumara Religion and Ritual

Posted August 15, 2021 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Hodge Podge

The Tarahumara of northern Mexico practice a unique blend of ancient beliefs & Christianity

Cenotes of the Maya

Posted July 11, 2021July 12, 2021 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Hodge Podge

Fresh water sinkholes in the Yucatan helped sustain Maya civilization.

The Story of Chicle

Posted June 27, 2021 Robert Bitto1 CommentPosted in Hodge Podge

Chewing gum based on chicle has a long history in Mexico.

Island of the Dolls

Posted May 16, 2021 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Hodge Podge

An island in Xochimilco populated by hundreds of dolls has an eerie and interesting story

Was Thomas Edison Really a Mexican?

Posted January 24, 2021January 24, 2021 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Hodge Podge

Some evidence suggest that the famous American inventor wasn’t American at all.

Cuetlaxochitl, aka Poinsettia

Posted December 13, 2020 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Hodge Podge

Called the cuetlaxochitl by the ancient Mexicans, the poinsettia has a long and little-known history.

Seri People, The Last to Assimilate

Posted September 20, 2020 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Hodge Podge

This remote indigenous group struggles to hold on to its culture and language.

Juan Quezada and the Story of Mata Ortiz

Posted September 6, 2020 Robert Bitto2 CommentsPosted in Hodge Podge

One man magically brought a pottery tradition back to life after centuries of dormancy.

Black Pearls of the Sea of Cortez

Posted July 5, 2020 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Hodge Podge

These unique gems have an interesting history dating back centuries.

Chinampas, Floating Gardens of Ancient Mexico

Posted May 11, 2020 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Hodge Podge

A unique form of agriculture has existed in Mexico for over 1,000 years and is in danger of disappearing.

Pulque, Drink of the Gods

Posted March 8, 2020March 9, 2020 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Hodge Podge

A uniquely Mexican drink, pulque is surrounded by interesting myths and legends.

The Beautiful Imagination of Yolanda Vargas Dulché

Posted December 2, 2019 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Hodge Podge

No one person has contributed more to Mexican art and culture than Yolanda Vargas Dulché.

The Mysterious Craters of Valle de Santiago

Posted November 4, 2019 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Hodge Podge

7 Craters in central Mexico are home to a whole host of extraordinary things.

The Sorcerers of Catemaco

Posted October 6, 2019October 6, 2019 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Hodge Podge

For untold generations magical practitioners have lived in an area of Veracruz known as Catemaco.

Xoloitzcuintli: Sacred Dog of the Ancient Mexicans

Posted June 10, 2019 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Hodge Podge

Once nearly extinct, this unusual dog has played an important role in Mexico since ancient times

Mexico’s Minority Languages

Posted November 28, 2018November 28, 2018 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Hodge Podge

There are hundreds of languages in Mexico besides Spanish. Some are quite obscure and even mysterious.

The Art of Sugar Skulls

Posted October 1, 2018April 13, 2019 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Hodge Podge

The story of sugar skulls, what they mean and how to make them.

María Sabina & the Psychedelic Revolution

Posted June 10, 2018 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Hodge Podge

An elderly indigenous healer from Oaxaca was the spark that set off the ’60s psychedelic movement

Wirikuta and the Huichol Universe

Posted January 8, 2018January 8, 2018 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Hodge Podge

To the Huichol, their Garden of Eden is a real place called Wirikuta.

Pachita: Psychic Surgeon, Medium & Mystic

Posted November 27, 2017 Robert Bitto12 CommentsPosted in Hodge Podge

Did a mysterious Mexican healer hold the key to understanding consciousness itself?

The Untold Story of the Mexican Peso

Posted November 20, 2017 Robert Bitto1 CommentPosted in Hodge Podge

For centuries the Mexican peso was the most prized currency in the world.