095 - The Migration of the Monarch Butterflies and the Conquest of Mexico

Monarch butterflies are tiny, ephemeral creatures, whose audacious color patterns makes them beloved across a continent, yet few realize how remarkable their migration from Canada and the US to their winter ground west of Mexico City really is.  Listener Livia Montovani joins us to talk about visiting the mountain reserves where hundreds of millions of butterflies spend their winter. We'll also cover the conquest of Mexico and the personalities involved, from Motecuhzoma of the Mexica to Cortés of Spain to the controversial role of la Malinche, the formerly enslaved woman who translated for the Spainiards. It's a story with no heroes, but it needs to be told. And we'll make carnitas at home with salsa verde! Sources: Baumle, Kylee, The monarch: Saving our Most-Loved Butterfly Dennis, Peter. Tenochtitlan 1519-21: Clash of Civilizations Diáz dl Castillo, Bernal. The True History of the Conquest of New Spain Dykman, Sara. Bicycling with Butterflies: My 10,201-mile Journey Following the Monarch MMigration Fehrenbach, T.R. Fire & Blood: a History of Mexico Keeling, Stephen et al. The Rough Guide to Mexico  Levy, Buddy. Conquistador: Hernán Cortés, King Montezuma, and the Last Stand of the Aztecs Sainsbury, Brendan et al. Lonely Planet Mexico Photograph by pendens proditor CC 2.0