What if I were Mexican?

What is culture? What if you were born in India or Zimbabwe or New Zealand? Well must probably you will speak another language, practice another religion and had a whole different way of behavior and diet, etc.

Me, I was lucky enough to be borne in a place of earth with the nicest weather, lots of different ecosystems, a great variety of flora and fauna, eleven thousand kilometers of coast with the most amazing beaches in the world... a place than now is considered Mexico, where we speak Spanish, worship Virgen de Guadalupe and eat hot spicy food... well, at least the majority of its residents.

I will talk you a little bit into our culture just in case you are interested, just as an useful tool for you when you visit or decide to live in our beautiful area of this world. 

Arriba el Mariachi!!

Yes! you would know all lyrics, sing along and totally relate to Mariachi Music. The word comes from the french "marriage" it is basically a pretty cool mix of music, beats, and instruments from our ancestors the Aztecs, the Spaniards and the slaves from Africa, such a delicious synergy, right?

"Dos tacos Al Pastor por favor"

Well, what would Mexico be without the taco? It is the most representative food of our country and you really should know this: if you have had tacos abroad Mexico, well believe me you have not had the REAL TACO. If you were Mexican you would sure eat many of these delicatessen every week. And there are thousands of hundreds of different tacos, they change depending on the State, there are even blue tortillas from blue corn (my favorite), but here are the most traditional ones:

• Quesadilla - Cheese Taco
• Taco Al Pastor - Pork marinated Taco
• Taco de Asada - Beef Taco
• Taco de Carnitas - Pork Taco
• Taco de Pescado - Fish Taco
• Taco de Camarón - Shrimp Taco

French do 2, we do 1

Yes, you probably will have more human contact than what you do now. When we encounter someone we know, we greet with one kiss on the cheek, well more like a touching cheeks. Some people may find this too personal, or invasive... if you really just want to keep your distance, a hand shake would do just fine! There are different levels of closeness, and yes I consider myself one of the ones that not only do the cheek but also a little hug, if I love you, like you, care about you, I will definitely give you a kiss a hug and a big smile, just because that is me.

Mexican Time

Well, if they said meet you at 8, you must probably would appear at 9:45. It is a little bit shameful, but it is the true in most cases. Why would not take time seriously, why we are not slaves of the clock? I do not know. Sometimes I get frustrated when I did everything to get to a place on time, and they keep me waiting for 40 minutes or more, not nice, I know! Sorry if you have to experience anything like this, believe me we are working on it. Have I forgotten appointments? Yes, and I have apologized. But have some faith, there are a lot of friends and family that are always on time everywhere, every time. 

1, 2, 3 shots of Tequila

Are you feeling more and more Mexican by now? I bet you are ready for Tequila! Here, we drink it to celebrate, at bars, clubs, at home. We like it as a digestive, we mix it with soda, lemon, we cook with it, have tequila ice cream, tequila shrimps and tequila cake. Ancestral drink, part of our history and a great heritage to the world. You know every good story starts with "We were drinking tequila when..." So come to Cabo, to Guadalajara, Mexico City, Oaxaca... and drink up with your tequila shots!! 

So I hope this gets you a little bit closer to understand us, don't try too hard, just accept us and love us. At the end, yes, we are all the same, we breath the same air, it does not matter which part of this planet you are right now, we all aim for acceptance, love, success, respect. We protect our loved ones we live and then we die. We take vacations, we make memories, we dream of the beach in our feet... So don't you wait for it, live now. Cabo is awaiting you with its sun, beaches, adventures and "Choyeros" (folkloric name for the ones borne in Baja)... lots of fun and peace, your hammock, your "margarita" and your book. 

#Choyero #NoBadDays #Cabo #CaboforLife

Soleado

"Let's focus on the present", that has been the message from the wisest people in the world, he hear it, we read it everywhere. What if your present is bringing you the beautiful breeze from the ocean, the sound of waves caressing the beach and the infinite blue of the sea reflecting in your eyes. We, humans are pulled toward the the water as if by some invisible force, and even more if the water feature also involves sunlight and fantastic weather.

Soleado Beach and Resort is the newest creation of Portus Group, and offers all the amazing privileges of a Beach Front property. It is a Resort, it is a sanctuary, a place for you and your loved ones to relax, to be in touch with your soul. It only takes a moment of full awareness to remember that happy and enlighten being within yourself.

We provide the amenities; yoga, wellness center, art gallery, just to mention a few. Nature provides in its splendor too; the beach to jog every morning, the waves to surf or the incredible scenario to paint, take a picture or make memories for a lifetime.

This is Soleado, and take advantage of the opportunity now that it is under construction. Let me know if you want to receive any further information. 

Starting price is $475,000, and this is the video took during the Surf Tournament 2014, right in front of the Soleado Location.

Video Soleado

Vanessa Castillo

vanessa@portusmexico.com

Fire Works

Last night I witnessed a display of Fireworks that I was really impressed and grateful to watch. They were so close to my terrace!! it was just the perfect frame. And no, sorry I could not take any picture, I did not wanted to miss any second to go and get the cell phone. They will stay in my memory. I was impressed, wonder... I had that "wow" expression in my face that I am sure my parents saw in me many times when I was a child.

That had me thinking about capacity of wonder... have you seen the sky today? When was the last time you smiled and said wow to something? Have you let yourself wonder after a song, a child, a piece of art, a sunset, or a video of a kitty playing ping pong?

Why is it that the older we get the less we get impressed, the less we let ourselves be surprised and be thankful of all those small things? I guess we are always in the pursue of the best, the most, the biggest, the one and only... and then it just gets like an addiction; once you have the best one, there will be another one that it is even better. And life passes by, and you are missing all the fun and the presents of THE PRESENT. We are in that race and never look around in the path; once you get to your destination, to your goal, what will you tell? which stories and adventures you want to share? oh! you missed that beautiful full moon because you were watching tv?, You thought you were not going to be amazed by the flight of the hummingbird and you decided to check your smartphone to see your inbox?

Yes, just a picture from Internet, remember I did not
get my cell phone for the last night display of Fireworks

This is just a little invitation to let yourself be wondered! Let yourself be surprised by the colors, the taste and the simple things, all those things that money can not buy, well yes, they must have payed a small fortune to enlighten our night...  (The reason why I enjoyed those fireworks is because there was a wedding in the restaurant in front of my building), but I was fortunate enough that I could watch them for free. So take the free coupons life has offered you everyday and really, really enjoy them! Smell, touch, observe and then come back with some reaction, do not hold it, do not act as if that smile did not move something inside you... smile back!

It does not matter if you have seen International Contests of Fireworks, you still can be amazed by the color and lights on the sky. All those colors were to express celebration and joy, well guess what? we all have something to celebrate: LIFE!

I remember the time I did my internship in this hotel in the middle of nowhere, near Costa Alegre Jalisco, this place was so simple, so far away from luxe and glory. They did not offer electricity, air conditioned, internet, business center or TV! It was only the beach, the lagoon, the rooms, the candles... no fashion, no pretentious dishes, just honest food. The owner told me that that kind of places are really appreciated when people have seen all the gold, the best of the best and the luxury... then, only then, they learn to value the simplicity and the magic of coming back to basics.

So lets safe some time and pennies, you do not need to go and reserve couple of nights in the most expensive hotel of Dubai to understand the beauty of that tree standing right in your front yard, enjoy everything today, not tomorrow! Make yourself and those around you a favor and be there, be in the only thing that is real, the present.

San Lucas or San Jose

San Lucas or San Jose

Before writing about the differences between San Lucas or San José, just let me remind you that the distances between these two places is only 12 miles. So there, do not stress out about where to stay, where to live or invest... We are just divided by this gorgeous Touristic Corridor.

Yes there are particularities about each town but that is the magic! They both make "Los Cabos", so we are one!

What would you do without the Organic Market of San José or without the Arch that is located in San Lucas?

I have always lived in San Lucas and I love all the action and attractions. The Land's End is here along with the rocks, the arch, the mountains. San Lucas is the one surrounded by the two oceans, Mar de Cortés and Oceáno Pacífico... If you want to admire the sun disappearing into the ocean you need to by by the Pacific side.

Land's End Loving Couple

The beach in Cabo San Lucas is something you can not miss. Medano Beach is everybody's favorite. The World Famous mango Deck is the place where Shrimp Ceviche (Ceviche de Camarón) can turn into a very interesting experience. Instead of a jazz singer or some mariachi giving a show, the entertainment comes from your fellow tourists, which of course are mostly drunk people having fun under the sun! However it is not only party and cerveza on Medano Beach, you can also enjoy very good Restaurants. And places to eat by the Marina, lots to explore! Downtown also have places with amazing cuisine, ambiance, views and open for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

At night of course, if you like to party, get ready for sunrise! An infinite number of bars open their doors for you, offering the traditional mexican beers, then Cabo Wabo with its life music, Mandala, Squid Roe... until they close at dawn. What to do other than beach and party? You wont get bored, we have Costco, the Cultural Center, the big and beautiful Marina with its shopping center mall. There is something very powerful about living in this little peninsula, so close to Finisterra (Land's End). It is teh land of never getting bored!

Not to be outdone is the beautiful San José, the place where we have all enjoyed sun, culture, restaurants, concerts, etc. To begin with, The Art Walk is a fantastic afteroon of walking downtown and stopping in every little art gallery where they will offer you a glass of wine and most of the time the host of the gallery is the Artist himself! Artwalk takes place every Thursday.

The feeling of San José is that of authentic, colonial Mexico. Every walk is different and every discovery new. Checking ambiance and menus of the restaurants allows you to choose the one that is most appealing for you. I can recommend a few but I rather talk about them in general and let you explore, choose and decide your favorite one.

Also, the magic of Puerto Los Cabos, a whole area of San José now developing and turning into a very high-end place to live, with million dollars homes and amazing resorts recently opened. The Marina is full of pangas that can take you on a fishing trip for an amazing experience in the sea.

A bit closes to Downtown, by the Paseo Malecón, the Plaza El Pescador also recently opened. Here you will find many options of restaurants, boutiques, a book store, bars, nightclubs or even a play center for kids.

MARINA PUERTO LOS CABOS

In conclusion, whether you like beach clubs, ocean views, amazing resorts, fine or simple dining, night clubs, museums.... or you are on a honeymoon, spring break, with friends, with family and kids, even if you are planning to move to Cabo permanently you will sure enjoy both areas. Both San Lucas and San José will know exactly what to offer you and how to take care of you. Everyone in Los Cabos is keenly aware that tourism is our primary industry and we are always trying to improve, enhance, and provide extensive services and options for you.

Love Cabo, Cabo for Life