Salud! to all of you who've asked whether I would be able to find good MEXICAN FOOD in London.
Actually, it wasn't that difficult and was one of the first things I stumbled upon.
However, using any excuse -- anytime, anywhere --to enjoy a good taco or Margarita, I had to revisit my first London Mexican find in honor of Cinco de Mayo, Tacubas.
The sign outside made no mention of Cinco de Mayo, just that it was Happy Hour. As I was brought a menu I asked if there were any plans of celebrating Cinco de Mayo.
He said, no, it's not something they really celebrate in Mexico, more in America.
I said I just had to ask since I was American. Actually originally from Texas-eventually making the point Mexican food was my American food.
He smiled.
Sure, the celebration in America is consumerism, but it's also a recognition of culture and heritage. People of all backgrounds join in to celebrate just as we do on St. Patrick's Day or Chinese New Year or at a Puerto Rican Day parade.
Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Battle of Puebla over French forces in 1862. It's a story of a small Mexican army defeating a mighty French force more than double it's size.
Read more on Cinco de Mayo here.
Click here for my favorite Mexican restaurants in New York City.
Cinco de Mayo is a National Holiday in Mexico, but the big patriotic celebration is Mexican Independence Day, September 16th. On the night of September 15, 1810, a Mexican priest rallied the people to fight against Spain. The next day, the fight for independence began. It was an 11-year-battle with victory finally in 1821.
I'll have to return to Tacubas to see if they celebrate in September. The front of the menu mentions Mexico's Aztec Warrior history.It was in the year 1500 when Spain conquered Mexico- forcing many of the native Mexicans, Mayas and Aztecs into slavery. Independence Day didn't come for more than 300 years.
Now that I'm living in London, I'm starting to learn about culture here and national pride. Football, of course is rooted in history, and so it was interesting when researching Aztec Warriors to find an ad likening football to tribal times. The ad features Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez - who was just last year the first Mexican signed to Manchester United.
I will definitely be watching Chicharito play- as Manchester United is a big rival to my husband's lifelong passion- Chelsea. The two clubs are set face off this weekend in an important match.
Ay-Yi-Yi! Maybe I'll have to cheer with a cider instead of a margarita.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9OeBYxpWTI
