Originally posted by Osprey
O' Mexico
When I moved to Mexico I had no real pre-conceived ideas about what it would be like to live among my new neighbors. I recognized at once how very
different we were but I was excited about learning all the little things we might have in common. At first I was a little put off by their strange
talk, scant clothing, the rude country language their bodies spoke.
My sixty-plus years in the U.S. crushed me with information, impressions, knowledge about the world and its cultures that these simple people did not
experience. I expected most of them would be emotionally immature. The "ignorance is bliss" message was clear on their faces -- a simple,
uncluttered life makes them seem child-like.
At times I almost envied them; the whole family at the beach, splashing in the surf, the children pushing and roughhousing. Not a care in the world.
Perhaps they should be grateful that their poor country did not, could not force upon them the stringent rules of elementary education.
Over time my apprehensions faded. Now I feel more comfortable in their midst -- now and then I walk back from the beach with small family groups,
holding hands, laughing; content to feel the soft warm sand beneath their feet as they return to their shacks; some old metal trailers, some to
shacks with no running water, no toilets. When the fishermen return with a good catch I sometimes help them carry the fish home -- smiles on their
faces, the smell of bait on their hands.
The Mexicans can't stand them; say they should go right back to Canada where they came from. |
Now we're all Paisanos. Tio
happy house sitting. 
