Photo right: Mexicans in general work seven days per week.
The Mexicans in general live close to the land. They grow and eat their local vegetables and fruit, which is always fresh, their chickens are free-range (they catch them in their yard), they farm their own pigs, milk their goats and cattle, and use local products to build their homes. They are conservationist due to necessity. Many don’t have cars and use public transportation which is far more advanced than the US, and very inexpensive. (Europeans have told us they are impressed with their public transportation.) All the hotels we’ve stayed use the energy saving light bulbs, hot water may only be available in the morning and evening, and it’s a sin to leave a light on if you’re not in the room. Bottles, cans, and any redeemable refuse is recycled.
Photo left: Painting in celebration of Dia de Muerte.
Many areas in Mexico is like stepping back in time. The hotels (at least the ones we've stayed) don’t use computers but ledgers, only hand write receipts, don’t take credit cards and are very clean and organized. We've yet to see a cluttered desk. The personnel are friendly and cordial, formal in address and in attire. Mexicans appear to be conservative in daily life. They wear long pants (very rarely shorts-maybe coastal dwellers), females don’t show their midriff or wear miniskirts. However, we’ve seen the busty gals revealing their assets up top, but not too often. They don’t have tattoos, this is considered association with gangs (a big negative), don’t have multiple piercings, with the exception of earrings, and the Goth-style never took off here. Young boys drive motorcycles don’t hot rod, do wheelies or dare-devil stunts, they need their bike for transportation. However, risks are taken while driving through tight traffic.
It is typical to see mother and daughter walking arm-in-arm in the zocolo regardless of age; child with young mother, teenager with middle-aged mother, adult daughter with elderly mother. In San Luis Potosi three teenagers helped Bruce and I find a hotel by directly walking us there. They were on their Sunday walk through the zocolo with their aunt (warms my heart). Family closeness and affection is seen everywhere.
Photo above: Textile market, these crafts seem to be completely done by organic means. Left: La Plaza de la Danza.
We are often approached to buy items and when we kindly refuse they are very respectful. We almost bought bananas that were not ripe and the vendor told us if we were going to eat them immediately don't buy them (from her) go to another vendor. Once the waiter of a restaurant did not have enough change for us to leave a tip and he told us "it's okay". In some ways, they look out for us. If they know a little English they practice it, if we speak in Spanish they help us.
Left: Students playing classical guitar putting on concert.Here in Oaxaca, they are very dependent on tourists hence many great deals to be found. Their handicrafts are time consuming to make and all organic. Some artisans use organic substances to dye their wool they use for rugs. We visited one place with our Spanish class and were educated on the whole process. Had we a home we'd bought several of these well made rugs for wall hangings (they are too precious for the floor). In all their daily processes there is no waste. We are finding Mexicans in general are earthy, simple in thought, common sensical in action and spiritual in nature.
Left: Pancho's first day of Spanish class.
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