Mexico, Mariachis, Music & Memories

We are headed to Mexico...the land where good times are had, where songs are of romance,

love & tequila. Oh and yes, stories & fun experiences are born - just wait & see!

Near 25 years ago I 'ventured to my first visit to Mexico with my Parks & Recreation friends from Hawaii. You will meet two of them on this trip by the way, Naomi & Joan. After our annual conference in Southern California we would partake about 2-3 nights and drive in a caravan and head towards Ensenada for lobsters, camaraderie and of course tequila, beer and shopping!

One of the highlight of our trip was the mariachi who usually strolled to our table requesting songs to be sung. Back in '86 a song came about for $1...but probably will do so now for 5? The musicians generally played off key, hardly harmonize and because the songs were in Spanish who knows what is being sung, but after our stomachs were full with lobsters and our brain was polluted with margaritas and beers...well my memory to this day has me nostalgic for more Musica de Mexico!

Below are some of my favorite songs and I also included a few Mexicana/Latino/ Hispanic/Spanish related songs that I enjoy. Have any favorites you'd like to share so we can ask the mariachi to play AFTER we get polluted so it will sound as sweet and lovely as I remember...

Diana's 'Caliente' Top Choices

1. "Solamente Una Vez" ( ask Naomi to sing along in English)

2. "Cuando Caliente del Sol"

3. "Sabor A Mi"

4. "Besame Mucho" My fav' by A Bocelli

5. "Cuando, Cuando Cuando" by M. Buble

And after all I am an Americans...so add these favorites as a related to Mexico selection. Listen to the verses & beat...you'll get it!

6. "Smooth" & "Corazon Espinado" by Santana

7. " No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem", "Beer in Mexico", "You & Tequila" 'Tequila Loves Me"

by Kenny Chesney

8. "Mexico" by James Taylor

9. "Changes in Latitude & Changes in Attitude" & "Margaritaville" by Jimmy Buffet

10. And of course...everyone's favorite ... "TE-QUI-LA" by the Champs

Mike's Latina Musica Addition

Da na na na na na na TEQUILA

Russell's Latina Musica Addition (provided via his son Mike)

"I'm Your Dirty Mexican" by Hector Saldaña

Karen's Latina Musica Addition

"Oye Como Va".....Santana is another fave!

Jan's Latina Musica Addition

"White Bird" by the It's A Beautiful Day

" DIITTO TO YOUR LIST MS. DI, EXCEPT TO ADD ‘WHITE BIRD”: (EN ESPANOL)"

Naomi's Mexican Music Favorites

1. All of Diana's music & memories from our days gone by of Ensenada trips

2. Cielito Lindo

3. Amor

4. Nosotros

5. Amapola

6.Besame Mucho

7. Guantanamera

8. El Rancho Grande

9. Malaguena

10. Perifidia

"..that's it! Can't recall anymore...mind's going! This time next week, we'll be in MEXICO!! OLE!

Thank you, Mahalo, Gracias! For doing all this for us.. I've experienced so much with you. LOVE IT! "

Photo provided by Mike Cobb