In this episode we’re heading to a place where the tequila flows and Mariachi bands play in sun-smashed streets...

You can’t rough-up a piñata with your mates right now. But you can binge on our pick of a film, book, podcast, TV show, and song inspired by Mexico.

Roma

Haven’t cried this much since Trump told people to start shooting UV light into themselves…

Roma is an assault on your tear-ducts. By the time Alfonso Cuarón’s family drama is through with you, you’ll need a nap.

It’s set in 1970s Mexico and tells the story of two women. Cleo is the live-in maid at Sofia’s house. Sofia has a husband and four kids and Cleo has a dodgy boyfriend who likes martial arts. Standard.

Over the course of the film both women’s lives unravel against the backdrop of the Roma neighbourhood. Clothes are strung across neighbour’s houses like flags and the streets are all lined with shady trees...

Cuarón’s dreamy film gives us the travel tingles.

Signs Preceding the End of the World

Makina is sent by her mum to bring her brother back from the US. She’s street smart, he is not. He was convinced to cross the border by his deadbeat dad who hasn’t been on the scene for years…

NICE ONE BRO.

In ‘Signs Preceding the End of the World’, Makina has to navigate people-smugglers, vigilantes, and border patrols to bring her brother home. Doesn’t help that she’s carrying a suspect package from a drug lord.

Tacocity

We showed great restraint not mentioning tacos until this point...

Tacocity is a podcast dedicated to the crispy corn vessel of dreams. AKA the taco.

In each episode Rob Gokee focuses on different taquerias across the country and the stories behind them.

If you can bear more coronavirus chat, in this episode he chats to EaterLA’s editor about the impact of the virus on the industry. Just want to salivate about tacos? Listen to this one instead. It’s a review of the Taqueando Festival.

Narcos

Cocaine, politics, and Pablo Escobar…

Narcos is the binge-worthy series that was begging to be made. It follows the cocaine trade in Colombia and the brutal fights between rival drug lords. But that’s putting it lightly. Escobar just had to twitch an eyebrow and somebody’s head was getting chopped off.

Thought the death-rate in Game of Thrones was bad? Don’t get attached to any of these characters.

Maria Maria by Santana

Dig out a fedora and stick a feather in it…

It’s time for some old-school Santana.

The band was put together by Carlos Santana in 1966 and they became one of the best-selling groups of all time. Maria Maria (name so nice you got to say it twice) is one of their most popular songs.

This one’s a keeper - hit the Lucky button then save this trip for a happier time 💚