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I've been passing a
tortilla stand at the San Juan de Dios market since late last year admiring
Vanessa, the woman who makes the Rosa tortillas.
Rosa Mexicano. Hex: #E4007C and RGB: 228,0,124. It's the
color of Mexico.
My fascination with
the color Rosa began when I first came to Mexico years ago. My obsession
started when I saw her Rosa tortillas.
Rosa is considered a
symbol of national identity in Mexico. It also represents Mexican charisma.
Vanessa has charisma.
She charmed me the first time I met her. That's why she sells so many
tortillas. That and the fact that most of Vanessa's tortillas are Rosa and not
white or yellow like everyone else.
Rosa is the one color
that represents the Mexican color palette. I see Rosa and it instantly makes me
want to break out in song and start dancing. Rosa makes me happy.
Seeing the world
through Rosa-colored glasses these days? Blame it on San Miguel. Some say it
has that magic.
Bullfighters use Rosa
to line their clothes.
Visionary artists like
Anado use it to mark their windows.
Fabric designers like
Patrice Wynne use it to create a bold presentation.
Even the inside walls
at restaurants like Cinco de Mayo Experimental in Queretaro are painted Rosa to
make a powerful and symbolic statement.
Everything about Rosa
speaks passion, spirit and the determination to get more out of life. Getting
more out of life is one of the reasons I moved here.
In fact, Rosa stands
out, even when it's at the bottom of the stack.
Just look at Mexican
art, clothing or food and you’ll see plenty of Rosa Mexicano.
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Rosa is the dominant
color in many of the photos I've taken in Mexico.
After all this time
watching Vanessa make her Rosa tortillas and chatting, I found out today that
Vanessa is my neighbor. She lives on my street just ten doors down from our
house.
Love thy neighbor...
she may even place a
basket of Rosa tortillas outside your door some Sunday morning when you least
expect it.
Buen Apetito!