As UG2 honors Hispanic Heritage Month through Oct 15, members of Team UG2 are sharing fond memories and cherished traditions from their home countries.
This week, Jose Rubio, Mail Clerk from the West Region and Monica Hernandez, Day Custodial Supervisor from the Midwest Region spoke to us about Mexico.
UG2: Is there a particular food or drink that you would call your favorite from home?
JR: Mole is my favorite food that reminds me of home.
MH: My favorite is pozole (a stew made with hominy and meat).
UG2: Do you have a song, musical artist or movie that represents your country well?
MH: Cumbias—dancing music. (It can incorporate drums, flutes, maracas, and accordions.)
UG2: Tell us how a birthday or wedding might be celebrated in your home country?
MH: Our wedding was celebrated by having all of our family and friends come to my mother’s family home to watch the ceremony and then there was a large party with everyone eating together.
UG2: What about games or special holiday traditions?
MH: Las Posadas commemorates Mary and Joseph’s difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem every December for 9 days before Christmas. It is a tradition where there is a religious outdoor gathering each evening to sing and ask for shelter until they reach the designated posada house. Then, once they enter the house, prayer and songs continue with sharing of festive foods. The evening ends with a pinata shaped like a star.
UG2: Is there a particular place or neighborhood you think of when you think of your home country?
JR: My birthplace is Lazaro Cardenas, which I often think of when I miss home.
MH: My mother’s home was the place for family celebrations with games (marbles) and traditional foods like romeros, mole and tortitas de camarón.