Our second community

Mexicans

 

We are recognized members of the community.  Not only are we seen as members of Bucerias life, but people actually know us by sight.  They may not know our names, but they know we are from the US (even from Ohio sometimes), and that we live here about half the year.  And it is not just the community of ex-pats and others north of the border that know us, but many of the local merchants and shopkeepers recognize us, even if we are just walking along the street.  At first I told Mrs. T that it was our distinctive walking sticks that identified us, and they still are like nametags.  And because we do not wear a lot of bling, they know we are not short-time visitors.  But more people know us as us.  One way we know this is that many folks will now try to speak to us in English which they only do with people they trust.

 

We are also more officially part of the landscape; we now have our FM3s which are similar to 'Green Cards' in the US.  We are resident aliens and even can work here – something not likely to happen.  But we now have a lot of benefits, such as being able to open a bank account.  Next year we hope to obtain INAPAM cards which are essentially national versions of Ohio's Golden Buckeye cards and confer quite a few discounts to us older folks.

 

Here is a vignette from R about how we perceive the locals:

 

It is, of course, always a mistake to characterize people based on things like nationality but nonetheless I believe that Mexicans are a very friendly, generous and gracious people.

 

Many times we have had Mexican families renting one of the condos.  When we pass by saying "Hola," they invariably offer us something to eat or drink.  We seldom act the same.

 

Last week a few young men were down from Guadalajara for a little time in the sun.  I had barely walked out the front door when one said, "Lady Can I get you something to drink?" in the most cheerful fashion.

 

Throughout the day we progressed to "What are you drinking, Senora?" and later to "How about a cerveza, Senorita?"

 

The boys were never rude, or in anyway bothersome (aside from a tendency to sing soulfully off-key).  I just had the feeling that they were having a good time and really hoped that I would have a good time too.

 

I think that the progression in form of address from lady, to senora, to senorita reflected the fact that having known me a whole day they really felt we were becoming good friends.  (Of course some cynics might attribute it to the 'all the girls look beautiful at closing time' effect - but I demur).

 

I was walking through the Mercado the other day when a Mexican man came up to me.  He told me (mostly through sign language because he didn't speak any English) that he had seen me boogie boarding on the ocean and he thought it was great.  He told me I did it well.  Many people seem to find it amazing that a person of my age and, shall we say physique, would do this but my newfound amigo and I both think it is perfectly natural.

 

One morning I was walking on the beach taking photos of this and that when a fishing net caught my eye.  I was taking a picture of the net when one of the fishermen came up and showed me some fish they had caught.  He of course offered to sell me some but was not disturbed when I told him I did not want any. 

He said I could take all the pictures I liked.  Then he introduced me to his buddies.  They brought me over to where they were grilling a freshly caught stingray.  They all insisted I have a stingray tortilla that they made over their campfire.  Very simple, they helped me put it together:  a small tortilla, some of the white fish and a sprinkle of salt from the communal bag.  It was delicious.

 

In this post I and sending some pictures of some of my Mexican friends: the fishermen, the muffin man (Oh do you know him?) who brings muffins to our door in a washtub balanced on his head, the pie guy who likes my paintings, Teresa who owns a little arts and crafts store and collects for the children's library, the chicken man who also plays the guitar, the modista seamstress who sews torn things for a very reasonable price.  She will also make clothes from scratch or costumes etc.  And there are many more.  Friendly, helpful, gracious people who are another reason we love Mexico.

 

Here are some pictures of several of these local merchants and friends:

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9151458@N07/sets/72157622993148608/

 

 

Hope you are enjoying a good winter and have happy holidays ahead.

 

Dan and Rebecca

www.casa-de-terrible.blogspot.com

 

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