Mexico has long been known for its sun-soaked beaches, but increasing drug violence is changing that image. No one knows that better than the Mexicans who are fleeing to Canada. They come seeking the refugee status that would allow them to stay. Canadian officials say refugee claims from Mexicans rose to more than 8,000 in [...]
Here in B.C., the housing market is on the decline. On February 3, The Vancouver Sun reported that homes in metro Vancouver would drop 14 per cent in 2009 to an average price of $508,000. Wow. Even at that bargain price, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to afford a house in Vancouver. I [...]
A laundromat called the Maquina Loca in Vancouver. A Spanish-language radio show plays inside. There is the constant swishing of washing machines and the rumbling of dryers. The walls display posters of Latin American politicians and writers.
Earlier this week I was sitting in my history class stressing out because I hadn’t had a Latin American encounter of any kind for what felt like ages. I was desperately trying to come up with a plan: make a piñata, listen to more Silvio Rodríguez, call my mom. And then, from across the classroom, Carlos [...]
Last week, on a quest to complete a school assignment, I found myself inside the Maquina Loca Laundromat engrossed in a fascinating conversation about Latin American politics.
I’ve recently been wondering: Can passion be globalized? In the same way as cheeseburgers, cars, and coffee, can feeling be packaged, transported, and sold the world over? This is the question that I was left pondering after attending my first salsa class.
Recently, my landlord both blessed and cursed my roommates and me when he bought us a brand new flat-screen TV for our fully furnished suite. Since that faithful day last week I have spent more time in front of the telly than I have in the all the days since 2005. Last Wednesday afternoon was [...]
I had some fantastic pupusas the other day. Hot, with delectable gooey cheese and tasty pork stuffed inside a thick tortilla, topped with a perfectly spicy tomato sauce. Heaven. I don’t often talk about pupusas even though they rank right up there with my all-time favorite foods.
Vancouver’s gay community is disappointed that it may not get city funds for its international sporting event at a time when the city is spending millions on the Olympic games. At a debate held on November 5, neither mayoral candidate would commit funding to the North America Outgames which that will bring lesbian, gay, bisexual, [...]
Vancouver’s gay community is disappointed that it may not get city funds for its international sporting event at a time when the city is spending millions on the Olympic games. At a debate held on November 5, neither mayoral candidate would commit funding to the North America Outgames, which will bring lesbian, gay, bisexual, and [...]
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