Thoughts before we go ...

What do I think of? Narcotics, drug wars, executions, revolutions, the Spanish civil war, mythical and spiritual and magical influences, the Mayan civilisation, tequila and chillies - and artists such as Diego Rivera and his wife Frida Kahlo plus the wonderful Georgia O'Keeffe.

Mexico (Estados Únidos Mexicanos) is the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world and the largest producer of silver. During the 14 - 16th centuries, when the Aztecs dominated large parts of the country, and the capital city was called Mexico-Tenochtitlan. After the Spanish conquered the city in the 16th century, they ruined it and built Mexico City on top of the Aztec capital. Mexico is home to the world's second biggest Catholic Christian population (only Brazil has more Catholics than Mexico).

Corn (or maize) and chocolate originated here - and Mezcal, or tequila (although it is not exactly tequila as tequila by law can only be made from blue agave whereas Mezcal can be made from up to 30 varieties of agave).

Guatemala - hmmm, I'm thinking mountains and jungle and Mayan ruins. Actually, "Guatemala" means "land of trees".

This is the heartland of the ancient Maya. And it has had a very bloody and turbulent history: it had the longest civil war in the history of Latin America, lasting 36 years with the deaths of 200,000 citizens. 


There are lots of volcanoes. Plus some of the world's finest coffee and Ron Centenario Zacapa rum.

I don't think it'll be an alcohol-free trip ...