ruins, there are many buildings dedicated to ceremonies and rituals. it extends forever. over 1,000 years ago, way before any spanish arrived, two civilizations vied for supremacy in veracruz, the aztecs and the totonacs. and up here in the north, it was the totonacs that prevailed. set between two large streams that flowed to the river, el tajin was perfectly shielded from attack, and is one of the best-preserved prehispanic cities in mexico. this strategic advantage was key to the survival of the totonac people. and this particular culture is still practicing their rituals and ceremonies today. hola. my host, donna marta founded smoke women, a group that keeps
communities and the people who live and work there grow and thrive. we re proud to call these places home too. they re where we put down roots, and where together, we work to help move everyone s financial goals forward. pnc bank. [upbeat music] - i love coffee. and it came to mexico via, yep, veracruz. it arrived here from the caribbean in the 18th century i love coffee. and it came to mexico via yep veracruz. it arrived here from the caribbean in the 18th century before passing on throughout latin america. i enjoy it best with friends. like mi amiga, actress
it s impossible to overstate the impact of african culture on this region. but even at the peak of the slave trade, there was resistance. in 1631, a group of rebel slaves won the right to live as free people in their own region. it was a small, but significant victory, given it would take another two centuries before slavery ended in mexico. [ speaking non-english ] wow. yuca frita.
around 400 yearsings ago, a spanish nobleman set sail for the new world. his name, lorenzo longoria. my ancestors arrival changed history, creating modern mexico and a gateway between it and the rest of the world. everything started here. it s also the cradle of mexican gastronomy because all ingredients landed in this spot. and all the ingredients in mexico left from here, chocolate, vanilla, the tomato. can you imagine italian cuisine without the tomato, or french pastry without chocolate and vanilla? impossible. the people of veracruz took this treasure trove of ingredients passing in and out of the port and created a whole new cuisine. sp
- around 400 years ago, a spanish nobleman set sail for the new world. his name lorenzo longoria. around 400 years ago, a spanish nobleman set sail for the new world. his name, lorenzo longoria. my an southeast sore s arrival changed history, creating modern mexico and a gateway between it and the rest of the world. this is the cradle of mexico. everything started here. it s also the cradle of mexican gastronomy because all ingredients landed in this spot. and all the ingredients in mexico left from here, chocolate, vanilla, the tomato. can you imagine italian cuisine without the tomato, or french pastry without chocolate and vanilla? impossible. the people of veracruz took this treasure trove of ingredients passing in and out of the port and created a whole new cuisine.