How To Make A Pinata

December 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Pinata Fest

In Mexico, pinatas are a central part of every celebration.  They are especially popular during Las Posadas, the traditional processions, which take place during the nine days before Christmas.

Here at Capella Ixtapa, a pinata making class is being offered to guests interested in learning about this Mexican tradition.  But for those of you unable to attend, I have put together the instructions for you.

Pinata Fest

Materials:
-A Clay Pot or A Balloon (traditionally in Mexico a clay pot is used)
-Newspaper
-2 Bowls
-Flour
-Glue
-Colored Tissue Paper
-Rope
-Masking Tape
-Cardboards
-Candies (or other small items to fill the piñata)

Directions:
1. Take one bowl and fill it up with flour.  Add water until you create a smooth paste (tip: the final paste should have the consistency of the pancake batter).  Use the second bowl as your base to hold the pot or balloon.

2. Cut the rest of the newspaper into 2-3 inch wide strips.  Start dipping one paper strip after the other into the bowl of flour paste and placing it tightly over the balloon or clay pot.  Cover the entire balloon at least three times over to make a sturdy pinata base (if you are using a clay pot as a base, cover the pot with ten layers of paper – when pinata brakes these layers will hold the pot shards and protect them from flying around).  Allow the base to dry over night checking to make sure that the bowl doesn’t adhere to the piñata base.

3. Next, use a box cutter to cut a small hole at the top right and top left side of the dried pinata.  Cut a softball-sized hole in the top of the pinata— don’t throw the cut out section away, you will need it later!  Pull the balloon out from the inside.

4. Stick the rope into the small hole you made on the top right side of the pinata.  With the help of the bigger hole, guide the rope out the small upper-left hole.  You’ll use this rope to hang the pinata.  Cover and reinforce the small holes with masking tape.  These holes will bear a lot of weight when the pinata is hanging, so they need to be sturdy.  Fill the pinata with all the goodies.  Tape the softball-sized cutout section back onto the pinata.

5. The most traditional style pinata has seven cones in a star shape.  To create the cones  (or any other shape!) fold and glue cardboard to the pinata form.  Your pinata is now ready to be decorated!

6. Take your tissue paper and cut it in three-inch strips.  Glue the paper strips on the pinata.  You can for example have a colorful ‘body’ of the pinata, and then make each cone its own color.

 

Have a wonderful Christmas celebration! If you make your own piñata, please don’t forget to share it with me on Twitter or Facebook.

And if you are able to join us at Capella Ixtapa for the holidays, then be sure to contact your Personal Assistant for information and dates of our Christmas events and celebrations at pa.ixtapa@capellahotels.com!

 

Image via Flickr by Joey Parsons

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Christmas In The Tropics

December 14, 2012 by Leave a Comment
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As the year draws to a close, my favorite season is just beckoning round the corner – Christmas. I always feel like there is something indescribably festive in the air during Christmas.

Unlike what we often see in movies, here in Singapore, white Christmases are only made possible in our imagination. However, I assure you that a tropical Christmas has its own charms.

Each year, Singapore’s major shopping belt – Orchard Road is decked out in a special festive theme. I particularly love the nostalgia of the glittering lights which adorn the roads, the shopping malls with their larger than life seasonal decorations, and of course the delectable aroma of all the Christmas treats, reminding me of all the presents and parties each year.  While Christmas is largely a western tradition, Singapore still celebrates it with much fervor and gusto. Families and friends get together to share good cheer over a sumptuous festive spread and being Singaporean, there is one thing we know: how to have a fantastic feast!

Most locals embrace Western traditional foods such as a big roast turkey, a good leg of ham and of course the Christmas log cakes and candy. This year, I have decided that my roast turkey will be served with a twist.  Instead of the usual roast turkey, I will be serving a Tandoori turkey.  I have gone down to Little India to buy traditional Indian Tandoori spices and herbs such as cumin and garam masala.  I can’t wait to serve this turkey dish with a twist!

Of course, there is no better way to get into the Christmas spirit than with a group of carolers belting out all the festive favorites in local shopping malls and hotels. The sounds of the angelic choruses never fail to hit the right chord and send me sailing home in a seasonal mood.

If you still cannot decide how to spend this Christmas, come and join me in Singapore for a tropical Christmas and experience the kaleidoscope of celebrations in this cosmopolitan little island.

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Singapore’s National Day

August 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment
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Just around the corner is Singapore’s National Day!  Recognizing the day we gained independence, the holiday falls on the 9th of August and is day unity throughout our island nation.  This year we will be celebrating Singapore’s 47th Birthday.

People display their national pride with songs, flags and private celebrations.  But it is the much-anticipated National Day Parade that gets the most attention.

Floats are adorned with Singapore’s most beloved icons.  Military and civilian contingents march in unison and with passion.  There are even exhilarating air displays by fighter jets, as well as a fireworks spectacle.  The multi-ethnic performances, which incorporates traditional instruments and dance, reflects the harmonious mix of cultures that make Singapore unique.

This National Day, my family and I will be spending time at home enjoying local multi-cultural delicacies for lunch such as chicken rice, Satay (Malay barbeque meat skewers), chicken curry and a variety of Nyonya Kueh (Local desserts and cakes).  After that at about 6 pm, my family, along with the rest of Singapore, will tune in and watch the National Day Parade live on television. I am so excited!

The staff at Capella Singapore originate from various countries throughout the world, including France, Germany, Sweden, Holland, China, Philippines, Myanmar and India (just to name a few).  I love hearing about their excitement and anticipation of Singapore’s National Day festivities (some even plan to attend the parade live!).  It is this coming together that really captures the spirit of Singapore and its diverse inhabitants.

 

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El Triunfo: The Ancient Silver Capital

April 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment
El Triunfo church

Baja is a wonderful place, full of hidden places just waiting to be found.  On weekends, I love to drive around and search for lonely beaches and quiet villages, full of stories and history.  One of these is El Triunfo, a small village, that you stumble upon on your way from the East Cape to La Paz, Baja California Sur’s capital.

In 19th century, Baja was well known for its silver mines in San Antonio and El Triunfo.   The most productive mine was called El Triunfo de la Cruz, which gave birth to the mining town of El Triunfo.  One of El Triunfo’s landmarks the “La Ramona” chimney was designed by French engineer, Gustave Eiffel (the man that designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris).  At its height, El Triunfo had a population of 14,000 people briefly served as the capital of Baja California Sur in 1828 and 1829.

Gradually, the quality of the digs declined.  In 1918 a hurricane flooded the mine, and after several failed attempts to resurrect the operation, it was abandoned in 1926.  With it, El Triunfo’s glory began to fade.  Today the chimney, the memories, and stories told by residents, remind us of the silver age of El Triunfo.

If you would like to learn more of Baja’s history, visit El Triunfo.  The ruins of the silver mine are still there and serve as an excellent picture of 19th Century Baja. Just talk to your Capella Pedregal Personal Assistant about organizing a trip!

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Lacquered handcrafts from Olinalá

April 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment
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Mother’s Day in México is celebrated on May 10th, and for this year, I wanted to give my mom a unique present.  I found beautiful lacquered boxes at the local handcraft stores, and I immediately knew that this would be the perfect present.  From the artist I found out that these boxes come from a small town Olinalá, located miles up in the Guerrero Mountains.

This remote town Olinalá is famous for its beautiful lacquered boxes, made from “Linaloe”, the traditional fragrant wood, which grows in the area.  The boxes are usually decorated with the animals of the region of Olinalá: deers, armadillos, rabbits, coyotes, ‘tlacuaches’, iguanas, doves, ‘zopilotes’, snakes, scorpions, lizards, etc.  Besides the boxes, the artisans also produce other beautiful handcrafts like fruit bowls, masks, jewelry boxes, folding screens, trunks, and more.

The artisans have been passing the techniques for lacquer production from generation to generation since pre-Hispanic times.  These artisans, who are predominately made up of indigenous locals, still speak ‘nahuatl’, the ancient language of Aztecs.

When you visit Capella Ixtapa, it won’t be necessary to go all the way to the remote location of Olinalá to get some of these famed lacquered boxes and other wood handcrafts.  You can find these and other beautiful and delicate handcrafts in the Zihuatanejo market.

I have now the perfect gift for my Mom, it is beautiful and I love supporting local producers.  On your next visit, our Personal Assistant will be glad to organize the market tour for you, so you can see and/or buy beautiful local handcrafts for your loved ones as well!  And for those of you feeling extra adventures our PAs can even plan a visit to this secluded village!

 

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Tradiciones de Pascua en Capella Pedregal

April 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Easter 03

Pascua es una de las fechas más esperadas en Capella Pedregal. Con la llegada de la primavera, el clima es hermoso y el desierto comienza a florecer. Hay muchos eventos agendados desde la búsqueda de Huevos de Pascua hasta un gran banquete en Don Manuel’s. Pero mi favorito es decorar nuestro árbol torote.

En el resort, como en otras fechas festivas, los empleados decoran nuestro torote con adornos. Esta Pascua cada uno de mis colegas y yo creamos nuestro propio Conejo de Pascua para adornar las ramas del árbol. Me encanta como cada conejo es único y como al final el árbol se ve como conjunto.

¿Y tu como celebraste la Pascua? Puedes dejarnos tus comentarios abajo o compartirnos una foto en nuestra página de Facebook.

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