#MexicoWithBenito | Benito el Corgi

#MexicoWithBenito is a segment where I post fun facts about history, traditions, and culture about my dear home, Mexico. If you have any requests, just leave them in the comments!

#MexicoWithBenito This is a Ceiba tree, a very sacred symbol of the Maya people. In Mayan Language the name is “Ya’axche” and is still honored today as a a connection between all three worlds: the underworld (roots), earth (trunk) and heaven (branches). 🌳🌳 #MexicoConBenito Este es un árbol llamado Ceiba, un símbolo sagrado de los Mayas. El nombre en Maya es “Ya’axche” y aun se considera como la conexión entre los tres mundos: el inframundo (raíces), la tierra (el tronco) y el cielo (follaje). . 🌎The Mexico Traveling Corgi / Corgi Viajero en Mexico .

A post shared by Corgis Benito & Ramón (@benitoelcorgi) on Jun 30, 2017 at 6:54am PDT

#MexicoWithBenito Teotitlán, a small village in Oaxaca, is famous for their handwoven rugs! Made of wool, they continue the ancient and traditional dyeing process by using all natural dyes: bugs 🐛 flowers 🌼 fruits 🍓 seeds 🍂 and other gifts from Mother Earth. Because of this, the rugs can last decades, won’t fade or run. It’s a family tradition passed down generations, and they speak the indigenous language Zapotec. Here is Doña Josefina combing the wool by hand! 🎨👵🏽🎨👵🏽🎨👵🏽🎨 Teotitlán, un pequeño pueblo en Oaxaca, es famoso por sus tapetes hechos a mano! Hechos de lana, aun utilizan el antiguo y tradicional proceso de coloración usando tintas naturales como: insectos, flores, limón, semillas y otros regalos de la madre tierra. Es por esto que los tapetes duran décadas sin decolorarse. Es una tradición familiar pasada de generaciones y aun mantienen el antiguo lenguaje Zapoteca. Aquí se ve a doña Josefina cepillando la lana a mano! A post shared by Corgis Benito & Ramón (@benitoelcorgi) on May 6, 2017 at 6:22am PDT

Today’s ‪ #MexicowithBenito is a Romeo-and-Juliet type story. These volcanos that you see in my pictures here are called Popocatépetl (after a warrior) and Iztaccíhuatl (after a princess). Legend has it that thousands of years ago, the princess was in love with a warrior who was soon leaving to fight the Aztecs. A rival delivered a lie that the warrior had died in fight, and crushed by a broken heart, Iztaccihuatl died. When Popocatepetl returned and found his love dead, he built a giant tomb to honor her. He carried her up to that tomb and kneeled besides her to watch her in her eternal sleep. As time passed, snow covered their bodies and formed two majestic volcanoes! Many time Mexicans will refer to the volcanos as “him” or “her”, referencing that they truly are the warrior and the princess! Awwwwww, how cute! A photo posted by Benito the Corgi (@benitoelcorgi) on Nov 30, 2015 at 7:30pm PST

It’s now time for #MexicowithBenito: Would you believe me if I told you I’m standing in front of the worlds largest pyramid?! It’s true, check Google! When the Spanish came to conquer Mexico, they pretty much said “Frack your Indian non-sense and beliefs” and put a giant Catholic church on all their structures (Cholula). This church sits right on top of the largest pyramid ever!!! A photo posted by Benito the Corgi (@benitoelcorgi) on Nov 15, 2015 at 7:02am PST

This year’s first #MexicoWithBenito is all about … ¡Tequila! Tequila comes from this plant right here – a blue agave, recognized as UNESCO World Heritage. Like Champagne from France, Tequila can only come from Mexico – Jalisco specifically. Real tequila must say 100% Agave Azul on the bottle Tequila is to be sipped and savored like a fine wine, not shot with salt and lime! Tip: NEVER buy Jose Cuervo Oro or Especial, it’s horrible tequila and guaranteed hangover in a bottle! Opt for Tradicional or Reserva and learn to enjoy this complex spirit! A photo posted by Benito the Corgi (@benitoelcorgi) on Jan 2, 2016 at 3:23pm PST

#MexicoWithBenito – The Magical Village of Atlixco in Puebla is known for its year round perfect temperatures and is called the City of Flowers since most townspeople cultivate plants! 🌷🌼🌸💐🌹🌺 More than 3/4 of its flower production is exported to USA but Atlixco is still responsible for around 80% of all the flowers being sold in Mexico!!! That’s a lot of flowers! 🌸🌺🌹🌷🌼 So next time you stop to smell the roses, they might have come from here!!!! #atlixco #pueblomagico #corgimexico A photo posted by Benito the Corgi (@benitoelcorgi) on Mar 20, 2016 at 3:15pm PDT

This #MexicoWithBenito is about the piñata! 🎉🎊 A traditional piñata is used for Christmas time and has seven points which represent the seven deadly sins. Blindfolding the person represents their faith and hitting the piñata represents the power to overcome sin. • • • • • What does all this mean? The piñata was meant to teach that with faith and virtue one could overcome sin and receive all the rewards of heaven 🍡🍦🍫. (gomexixo.about.com) Does that mean that heaven is full of candy and treats cause that’d be pawsome!! A photo posted by Benito the Corgi (@benitoelcorgi) on Dec 27, 2015 at 12:26pm PST

#MexicoWithBenito ¿Did You Know? The entire month of September in Mexico is called “Mes de la Patria” which means: Month of the Homeland. That’s because on the 16th they celebrate their Independence Day! For the whole month, the country is painted/decorated/plastered in red, white, and green! ¡VIVA MEXICO! #hallazgosemanal #postalesdeinstagram A photo posted by Benito the Corgi (@benitoelcorgi) on Sep 3, 2016 at 12:00pm PDT

It’s time for #MexicoWithBenito! These are called “Papantla Flyers”, it’s a pre-hispanic fertility ritual still performed today and recognized by UNESCO to be of great cultural value to the world. Four men swing and “fly” from a 40m pole, while the leader stands on top playing songs dedicated to the sun, wind, and cardinal directions. I wonder if they would let me take a turn!?!! #travel A video posted by Benito the Corgi (@benitoelcorgi) on Jan 26, 2016 at 1:17pm PST

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