Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Feliz Cinco de Mayo, everybody!

Oh, I didn’t do anything special to celebrate.

Comer, Beber, Cantar, Bailar

There’s not much of a Mexican community in Prague.  My wife does manage a pretty tasty burrito, but Czechs do not go in for spicy food in a big way.  Pepper is considered a daring culinary move.  A few Mexican restaurants have opened up, and closed again, since I’ve been here.  They are way blander than any Mexican restaurant I ever ate at in L.A., or the world famous Tasty Tacos of Des Moines, Iowa, but apparently not bland enough.

I actually spent the day at a football (soccer) tournament.  Sam’s team did great, 2nd place out of 12 teams, and it was really impressive to watch them.  For a bunch of 9 year olds, some of them have seriously professional moves.

I  had fried cheese and french fries for lunch, totally forgetting it was Cinco de Mayo.

Cinco de Mayo, of course, is a much bigger holiday in the U.S. than in Mexico, and I suspect that it’s popularity is directly due to promotion by the Mexican restaurant lobby in much the same way that Hallmark made Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day.

But I do love many things about Mexico.  I no longer drink alcohol, haven’t had a drop for 13 years now, but I remember one night in Tijuana, where they put a funnel in your throat and pour that shit down before one waiter clamps your mouth shut and two others pick up your chair and shake you around while the entire clientele shouts encouragement (or abuse, a bit depends on perception).  I also revere Mexico because it is to my favorite herb somewhat like what England is to football, although much, much stronger stuff is now grown in other places, like greenhouses all over the world for example.  I love the sound of the Spanish language, although I don’t speak it as well as I’d like.  I visited Isla de las Mujeres once and it was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.  The Pyramids in Egypt are impressive but the ones in Mexico are actually beautiful.  I loved “Treasure of the Sierra Madre,” “Night of the Iguana,” “Zorro,” “El Mariachi” and “The Mexican.”

So, depending on what time zone you’re in, do something tonight to celebrate Mexican culture.  For me, I’m going to roll up a big, flat spliff because, even though it’s 3 minutes after midnight here in central Europe and Cinco de Mayo is officially over, that means it’s now my birthday.

Damn good thing this happened on a weekend.