Mexican culture surrounds us in Austin – the census estimated in 2000 that 30% of the city is Hispanic and in my hometown of San Antonio, the influence of Mexico is even more pronounced. Not speaking Spanish, my view into that world is understandably shuttered thanks to a language barrier. But with so much culture bleeding into another these days – one ugly word to describe the process is globalization, another is gentrification – it really just hinges on each one of us as to how deep our curiosity will lead us from the familiar into the unknown. It also helps to have a guide. more ›