"Yo México"

Today I wanna talk to you about something that I recently saw and that still has me a bit impressed; I'm referring to the Media/Light Show called "Yo México", shown at the Zócalo Square of Mexico City for a few days. I'd heard about it and thought it'd be nice to go but didn't actually made a plan to, up until my friend Jimena said we should go and i agreed. The day we went was just perfect because it wasn't too crowded, in fact we had our own little square and some space around us, nobody was like all over us or pushing or any of those things you usually avoid going to the Zócalo for, and the night was good in general, good weather and, of course, good company.

All I knew about this was that it was a "light show", honestly when I got there I didn't know how long it lasted, what was gonna happen and what was it all about, so I had no expectations of any kind...except for having a good time hanging with Jimena in Downtown.

Turns out the show tells the History of Mexico all the way back from the Pre-Hispanic times to the present--where we're supposed to be...ok, ok...where we ARE an Independent Nation ruled by Progress (?), but i won't go into that now, instead I'm just gonna say the whole show was absolutely brilliant, something amazing really. I mean, yeah, it does have the usual "boring bit" and some parts of the history are handled sort of in a shallow way and some important things are not mentioned, BUT, all in all it was something I think all Mexicans would wanna see, but only the lucky DFeños got to see from first hand.

The whole playing with the lights, the sounds, the music, the fireworks, the narration, the fire, the dancers, the performers...all of that coming together put up a good show, something absolutely worth of seeing, and on top of it all, it was obviously for free (as all the shows at the Zócalo). It is now over as, like i mentioned before, it only lasted for a few days, so I'm glad I got to see it and if you did too, I'm sure you agree with me. If you were too busy/lazy/undecided and didn't get a chance to see it, don't worry coz there are a few videos online, but I consider the one I'm posting to be the best (or one of them), also, I took some pics, with my point&shoot though as I was too lazy to carry my DSRL, still, you'll get an idea of the whole thing and what you missed. All I can say is I hope they keep on putting up shows like that (that are a bit educational) in the Zócalo, instead of stupid things such as an Ice Rink and stuff like that.

Show "Yo México" - Zócalo, Ciudad de México

Thanksgiving Quotes

These are Thankksgiving Quotes just because today is Thanksgiving Day, not because the quotes are related to the holiday really, I just thought I'd title the post according to the day hehe Anyways, enjoy!


"life doesn't give u the people u want.. it gives u the people you need... to love u.. to hate u.. to make u.. to break u & to make u the person u were meant to be..." - Jodie Williamson

"...a pesar de la esponja, me pareces una mujer muy liberada, sigue asi!" - Charline Picard after I told her women in Mexico are still slaves of the "sponge" to do the dishes lol

"I'm super happy about this day!" - Charles Antonie

"Amiga eso es muy de prostis haha...Estoy orgulloso de ti :)" - Gerardo López--when I told him something NOT 'de prostis'! haha

"C - Do you get it? (a card game he was explaining to me)
D - No, I'm sorry, I'm retarded!
C - But you're pretty" - Conversation between me + Chris--dunno weather to feel insulted or flattered lol

"quiero tener los ojos jaladitos como las japonesas, me gusta mucho!!" - Ma. Daniela

"una tonteria osada (con humor abajo del cinturon, si intiendes lo que quiero decir ;-)" - Charline Picard

"tuve q advertirle en el camino que no dijera esas cosas que siempre dicen las mamas para apenar a sus hijos" - Gichef

"...ireland i like more... and those well built.. handsomely rogue, lip smackingly yummy men" - Preethi B.

"Equally elegant and Wild Beast" - Paris toilet

"Que mágico que tengas BB (as in BlackBerry)!" - Gaby Barrera



To see the COMPLETE Quote Collection, go to: Diana's Quote Collection

BTW, so far, I have a total of 838 quotes so I'm thinking I should make this interesting and give a prize or do something cool for the person who says my quote number 1000, what do you think? I think it should be fun, so you people go on and keep on making me laugh, cry, think, wonder, be interested and entertained with what you have to say. And who knows? Perhaps stupidity will get you something good for a change! hahaha jk

How to be a "Parisien" in 10 Days

This is an article about how to become a Parisian (well, you know, as close as it gets for any foreigner) in only 10 Days. To accomplish this difficult task, I worked VERY hard during almost 2 weeks, but I figured not everyone can be in Paris for 2 weeks, so I thought 10 days would be enough; I didn't do this by myself but with the collaboration of mes Parisien ami: Charline, Rémi, Patricia, François, Jeremy + Christophe, who were absolutely awesome; particularly Charline + Christophe as they're your absolute French Cliché...in a good way though.

So, let's get started. I now present to you a list of things to do to hep you get closer to becoming a Parisian:


- Hit a very Parisian Bar--for locals, not for tourists. You have to get out there and practice your French as much as you can.

La Patache Bar

- Order a beer in French...like a local does: "Un demi, s'il-vous-plaît." (which is a quarter of a liter) or "Une pinte, s'il vous plait." (which is almost half a liter) if you're really thirsty...or wanna get drunk faster.

Un Demi

- On the way home, stop by the Boulangerie, and buy a fresh made baguette on a paper bag with half of it sticking out. Putting it under your arm would make you look even more Parisian. ;)

Hold your baguette under the arm...even on the Metro!

- Get a Pass Navigo Decouvert to use the Paris Transport Links like a Parisian: all of them (buses, trains, metro) and as many times as you like. It's quite comfortable as you don't have to buy tickets and plan your trip everytime you go out.

It's only €5

- Run into an old friend on the street--nothing to make you feel at home like bumping into an old friend while walking on the streets of Paris. (The odds of this actually happening are almost as slim as a Londoner being nice to you on the street, but it happens!)

A RDV with an old friend (Jeremy)

- Attend a French Cooking Class to live up to expectations of French being excellent Cooks and Chefs. "L'atelier Des Chefs" is a very good place to do so, they've got nice kitchens and mean-handsome Chefs lol



- Buy something at Pylones; it's a most unusual store if you're looking for new, unique, fun, and very different items. Brightly colored, fun items - everything from toasters and kitchen utensils to hairbrushes to staplers to watches and jewelry, what's not to like?




- Use wine when you cook--on the food, not to drink while you cook. It's sort of like the Olive Oil for Italians.



- Make your own Crêpes--you should know how to make crêpes at home, most French do or else, it'd be like being a Mexican and not know how to make Enchiladas...if you don't know, you're a bad Mexican! ha

Keep in mind the first crêpe, will always be bad! (due to temperature and stuff)

Hmmm! (coz it's an international expression haha)

- Eat ice-cream on Île Saint Louis; Berthillon is the best place for it. This delicious ice cream has rich colors and equally intense flavors--Noisette is very good! If you're into ice-cream (like, apparently, all Mexicans are), you'll like it there!




- Go seat in a Café on a table set outside -like facing the (imaginary) Sea- and see 'Paris' go by. If you order Tea, I'd recommend Marco Polo by Mariage Frères--it's fantastic...and if you're more of a coffee person, you can have a cafe au lait (coffe with milk), or a Noisette, which is a variation of it being an espresso with milk, or you can always have just a classic espresso.

- voyez-vous la mer?

- oui, c'est beau!
- et en buvant du café, ce'st magnifique!

- Go only once or twice to Le Louvre Museum; it's like the Anthropology Museum in Mexico, you only go because either your parents or the school take you, but you don't really feel like going back on your own haha.



- Play Chess with a retired Parisian old man at the Jardin de Luxembourg while just hanging out there enjoying what Italians would call "Dolce far niente" (the pleasure of doing nothing).

Don't forget with every move you make, you must attack!

- Eat a Croissant at the Parisian Café of your preference--they're usually fresh, buttery and yummy everywhere. Café des Deux Moulins is my personal favorite for more than obvious reasons.

It's on Rue Lepic, in Montmartre--one of my fave Arrondissements

The croissant was so good I forgot to take a pic before eating it lol

- Go out with friends for an evening Apéro. L'heure de l'apéro in France is when you go for a drink or a meal before the night actually kicks off and the real party starts--sort of like the Mexican "Precopeo".

Le cafe de l'industrie, Bastille

Even Wodjah enjoys L'heure de l'apéro

- End a night at a hip Parisian Bar in Bastille; there's tons where to choose from!

Le Motel Bar @ Bastille

- Go see a film by yourself during daytime. I usually don't do this, nor going during daytime nor by myself, but for some reason in Paris, it felt alright and I even enjoyed it.

Gaumont Cinemas chain seem to own most of the cinemas in Paris

- Go around Paris in a scooter--you can't get more French than that! Just don't forget to wear a helmet and if you do, be careful with your earrings coz they might fall off and get lost :(

Fun, fun, fun...except when under the rain

- Go to the Opera at Palais Garnier; it's way cheaper than you think it is and it's absolutely brilliant and worth it, you won't regret it one bit! Le Ballet de L'opera is a good choice too, in case you're not able to catch the Opera. Paquita Lacotte was lovely.





- Use a filthy toilet at a bar or restaurant--it's Paris, there's no way you will escape this one anyways haha

Ok, this was actually a neat one, I was too impressed to photograph the real filthy one haha

Alright then, this is the list I managed to put together and I hope it is helpful when you go to Paris, and besides helpful, I hope you have fun while doing all, or even some, of these things as much as I did and end up loving the city as much as I do...though like a friend of mine says: "everyone loves Paris...unless you're dead inside" haha Anyways...merci de votre attention. Salut!

New Stuff For The Pleasure of your Ears

One of my favorite things about traveling and meeting people is that I get to do what my friend Jason would call "virtual robbery", yes, I get to "steal" some of the best music tracks that exist on their computers; this music exchange is very refreshing for me as I always enjoy getting new music, as well as sharing mine with the world--it'd be too selfish of me if I kept things like "Amandititita" all to myself, wouldn't it? haha jk...(or, am I?)

Sometimes, some of it is music I already know and/or like but I don't yet have, sometimes it's a lot of new music proposals that I end up loving (most of them anyways), and sometimes...sometimes I'm just pleasantly surprised with music that I didn't think I'd like but then can't stop playing over and over. Another way to get new music is from the TV Adverts--odd yes, but if you knew how many great songs I've gotten that way, you'd be surprised!

So, these days I am quite happy as I have TONS of new music to listen to and don't get bored, at least until Christmas! lol

Today, I'd like to be a good Samaritan and share some of that great music with all of you. I could actually name too many bands/artists but I don't want your brain to explode or anything like that or have you go "oh, that list it too long...I'll check it some other time" and then you never will, so I'll be short + sweet so you actually give it a go. And, please, bare in mind that I usually have VERY good music taste so you might really wanna consider these recommendations =) Ok, so less chatting and more recommending, I'll leave you the:

Top 5 Things You Should Listen...
(...to educate your ears...and if they're already educated -coz I know some of yours are-, well, then just to please them)

- Moriarty ("Jimmy", "Private Lily")
- Fake Blood ("Fix your accent", "I think I like it")
- Cocoon ("On my way", "Vultures")
- Everything Everything ("Photoshop handsome", "MY KZ UR BF")
- Emiliana Torrini ("Jungle drum", "Birds")

What's in parenthesis is the name of my fave songs by them, therefore, what you may wanna try first, though everything by them is quite brilliant really. And well, I have a little extra for you...coz I'm in a good mood.

- If The Kids ("Tell me what you want", "Life is now")
They're a French Duo that's just up and coming and hasn't even released an album yet, so they're the freshest item on my list and I kinda find them absolutely awesome, though they remind me a bit of "The Ting Tings"--really, good stuff!

If The Kids - Tell Me What You Want

Alright, that's it for now but I may feel like a good Samaritan again sometime soon and come back to share some more cool stuff with you people. Oh, and if you have anything you wanna recommend me, please be my guest!

Biking Fever

Recently, lots of people seem to be coming down with a fever...for biking! And this is not only in Mexico City but around the world...well, it actually seems to be in MC that it's more recent, but other big cities around the Globe such as Paris, London, Montreal (well, maybe this one is not that big) and some others are doing it, this is going on mostly in Europe, which makes me even more glad that Mexico City is taking is so seriously and creating a whole new "Biking Culture", you know? Like, having tracks on the road exclusively for bikes and educating people on being a biker and stuff like that, it's all really good.

One of the best things about the system in Mexico City, I have to admit, is the price; you can get an "Eco Bike" (that's what it's called here) for only $300.00...A YEAR!!! And you can get 45-minutes rides, then wait for 5 minutes and then go again. So, those reasonable $300.00 is like €17.72 or £15.09! In London they charge you like £1.00 per every 10 (ten) minutes and in Paris, you'll pay €1 for a day ticket or €5 for a seven-day ticket, which lets you take an unlimited number of 30-minute journeys, which is better than Londumb, yes, but still, way more expensive than Mexico.

So, there is really no excuse to go out and get an Eco Bike, all you need to do is go to an Eco Bike module (they have a couple in Reforma Avenue) or to some Supermarkets (Superama) and pay with your credit or debit card, you fill in a little form, get your card and 5 minutes later you will be biking around town...and perhaps ringing your bike bell to those who get on your way(?) hehe I've already got the fever, so I invite you to come out and get it, too! It's fun!! And, to illustrate a bit of the biking fever...I leave you some photos so you get inspired and start feeling it.

Quotes

People seem to be very inspired lately so they keep coming with awesome phrases for me to quote and have a laugh, and then share with you of course. it seems like the Star of the week is Preethi...yet again, she just cracks me up so much every time we talk--luv her! Thanks Preets!


"I'm thinking about doing some Yoga this week. Let's get spiritual!" - Britney Spears

"y como te llama el deber si no tienes teléfono?" - Amandititita

"...eres una artista...estoy impresionada!" - Charline Picard

"...this dude...sorry prof. paul ekman..." - Preethi B.

"Halloween is the only time of year it is appropriate to be a complete slut without being judged." - Random

"yeah... okie so you're becomin a brit already.... your english neva sounded like a mexican's and now there s brit mixed in it as well... sil vu ples!!!" - Preethi B.

"ourquoi diana pourquoi??? Visiblement, je peux apprendre le français la langue complète alors que je vous attends!!" - Preethi B.

"am a utopian dreaming of a perfect world where the bastards are less charismatic than the good people." - Demien CS

"2nd day of tour and I'm already pocheando muy cabrón..:)" - Ximena Sariñana

"...because (in France) it's 'cool' to say 'cool'" - Charline Picard

Fresh Start

So, I've been in Europe for almost a couple of months now, giving it a go to what I thought I really wanted out of life: be a Music Photographer in London; however, things did not turn out to be what I expected in so many ways, so, over time, I have realized that no matter what, I wouldn't be able to be happy here...strange I know, but sometimes it happens. Instead, I knew very well that what I really want is to be home, if not for good at least for some time coz I haven't quite been there for a while, you know like, really really been there, not just "passing by" every now and then.

This might sound odd to you and some of you may never be able to understand where I come from with all of this but all I can tell you is I want to be happy and I do not believe my happiness is here in London at the moment so I'd rather be home, in a place that I know and love and, most importantly, with the people I love.

Sometimes, you have to make the journey to realize you have to be where you departed from, do you know what I mean? Anyways, this whole experience has been absolutely worth it in so many different ways and I'm happy I've done it. I learned so many things, realized so many others and experienced so much that I'm actually very thankful for all of this. Plus, life put on my way some AMAZING people and without them, this experience wouldn't have been the same.

So, THANK YOU ALL who were there, at the start point, the middle one and, of course, at the finish one--I absolutely love you and thank you for all your love and unconditional support.
If some of you feel like asking more questions regarding this issue...fight it! Because this is why I am posting this.

Les Premier Quotes du mois

Les 'Quotes' pour le semaine ces't très sympa--Je kiffe! haha (utiliser google translate si vous ne comprenez pas).


"igual no era tanto lo que querias, sino lo que aprendiste en el camino lo que valio mas" - Marius

"‎Bueno, soy simpático la primera vez que se me trata, la segunda soy sencillamente delicioso" M. Garces

"You'll never know unless you give it a go" - Priscilla on Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

"Excuse me, class coming through!" - Priscilla on Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

"If you feel like joining us later on...fight it!" - Priscilla on Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

"I' going to make my...Paella and I'm sorry I say 'paella' in English and not Spanish, but that's how I do" - Nigella Lawson

"Salte Gueva de este cuerpo chambeador" - Gael García

"Coleccionaba ventanas. Era su manera de asegurarse de tener siempre un lugar por donde huir. " - Floridiano Capete

"No me gusto nada que ahorita me llego un mensaje personal de NIETZSCHE invitándome a su Facebook." - Amandititita

"Dear Man city fans:
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha 
Love" - Jason Gravestock