CANCUN | XOXOMILCO
Aerial view of the canal system. V
isitors to Cancun can now take part in a wonderful Mexican tradition. Xoxomilco was recreated in hom- age to the original Xochimilco in Mexico City. Tere,
locals and tourists alike relax in traditional trajineras, eating, listening to music and celebrating as they travel along the canal systems. Not far from Cancun, visitors are treated to a similar tradi-
tional experience. On their arrival, guests are invited to sip on drinks such as tamarind water or tequila banderas while they listen to the enchanting glass bottle music of the Botellefono. Fun and lively, it is the perfect welcome. People mingle, shop, or taste the esquites, a traditional corn dish, while they wait to board their trajinera, a gondola style boat. A bell rings, signalling it is time to depart, and you are
directed to a colourfully decorated boat adorned with one of the themes of Mexico’s 32 states. As you carefully hop aboard and find your seats, you notice the assortment of traditional appetizers and drinks that line the table in front of you. Your driver gently pushes the boat away from the dock and
your journey winding through the picturesque canals begins. As you drift along you pass chinampas, or floating gardens containing flowers, and chalupas, boats carrying lively bands playing the many musical styles of Mexico. Te Mariachi, Ja- rocho Quartet, Marimba, Yucatan Trova, Bolero Trio, and the foot stomping Norteños, they are all amazing. You sit back, eat, listen to the music and learn a little bit about this fabu- lous Mexican tradition. Dinner is served in stages, from chalupas (boats) that you
pull alongside to receive your next course. Tere are no tacos here; only authentic Mexican dishes are served. Te second course is filled with delicacies such as shrimp ceviche, cac- tus pad salad, fried silversides (whole tiny fish) and crispy chapulines, or crickets, which are actually not too bad with a little lime. Dinner itself consists of six main course sam- plings, including the traditional pibil pork, steamed fish with wormweed, and a spicy chicken mole. Te entire dinner was amazing, especially for adventurous eaters and those who love authentic food.
42 • Fall 2014
Una celebración muy mexicana. When dinner is over, the party begins, Mexican style. Your
trajinera and two others join together with a chalupa filled with musicians playing lively Mexican music, and the singing and dancing start. Everyone gets up to shake their groove thang and dance around the boat. After a few songs you push off and continue the party by joining up with a new band and a differ- ent group of trajineras. After all the dancing, eating and drinking you dock while the boats are cleaned for a much-needed bathroom break. On
The Hub
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