thank you! really loved this piece. You're a great storyteller! It deepens my understanding of Mexican culture and politics, and more about how things are done here.....It's interesting to me as a relative newcomer to Mexico, how things have changed since that time--yet also how they haven't. Even though many more Mexicans speak English now, I still think conversing in Spanish is the best way to make friends and really become part of life here. And while there are a growing number of expat enclaves where English is spoken as much or more than Spanish....where I am it is not like that,. I am eternally grateful for my rigorous high school Spanish education as a foundation. I was quite rusty when I arrived here but it's coming along now, I am even teaching a class bilingually.
Wow Ellen and hola! So great your language skills have improved so much and thanks for your comments and happy to hear you’re in a place where ‘old’ prevails over ‘new.’ We learned so much especially early on being the lone foreigners in the bunch. I’m very grateful for that. The history and tales told to us—like Mexico 101.
Arturo, what a perfect example of a person of character. His story is truly exemplary. He made a choice not to take an easy path of convenient corruption sitting at a desk and went on to achieve success, friendship and loyalty by using his hands to fulfill a promise to deliver doors to someone. Doors he opened into a creative and rewarding new life and career. One would be hard pressed to write a fictional story with stronger symbolism.
Wow Lucinda. Yes, some of the people we met in MX make US counterparts pale in comparison. It's like they're living life in technicolor, while US, mere black and white. Arturo and our friend Roberto, may he RIP, have been my favorite people we've met over the years. Our news editor friend is unbelievable too. But a more complicated person, though now that you mention it, all 3 would make perfect characters in a novel. I did put one of our MX nationals in my 2nd novel, Tulum Takedown. Our first insurance agent in MX was a former toreador! He was unreal. Silky shirt unbuttoned nearly to his navel, gold chains and chain smoking (this was the early 90s). Just a trip, and his entire office walls were plastered w/ his bullfighting photos. In Tulum Takedown, he calls my female protagonist 'Jefe.' all the time. (not Jefa). But just calling her boss made him more funny. And Arturo (real name changed for his privacy), quite a guy. Funny, quick-witted. Salt of the earth type. And fair fair fair.
Thanks so much. I post a chapter every other week. This week will be about a famous author with a Maya connection. On Aug 30 I’ll be back at it with Chapter 17–titled Tales from the Yucatán. So glad you are enjoying !!!
We got to know so many people in so many walks of life, from our building stage, neighbor phase, bookstore owners, through which we met everyone in town. And we were early as expats, plus the town was so small. Yes. But as I mentioned in another comment, I believe all countries have corruption —some just hide it better than others. Plus our best friend told us when we first got to MX that QRoo was like the Wild West. A state only since 1974 with a load of beaches and land.
Arturo sounds like a really interesting man. If so much of the society around him accepts and takes part in grift, where do you think his honesty comes from? Do you think governors, presidents and other people in power are still so corrupt, or have things improved over the years?
Just a decent person. In truth, everyone knows what’s wrong and what’s right. I think grift exists in most governments but some disguise it better than others. A friend explained it goes back to the time when the Spanish invaded and people were taken as workers or slaves. Corruption became a way of survival and the only people they trusted were family.
Great story, Jeanine! Mexico is such a multifaceted and complex place: rampant corruption contrasted with the warmth and generosity of the majority of Mexico’s people. And absolutely, one must learn Spanish to really enjoy this country. Such a shame that so many expats who live here do not avail themselves to all the rewards awaiting them when they become more integrated into the culture.
It’s a dichotomy but somehow it all makes sense. I’ve never learned more about so much—from so many. It’s kind of like life in Mexico is playing in technicolor and life north of the border is black and white. Maybe it’s just that people are more open, less guarded. Who knows? But it’s pretty great. On our first trip to MX eons ago we had the bus drop us at a sascab lane off main highway—you could see the ocean from the road. We walked the km to the beach and an older guy, the only other person around, greeted us with, Que sabrosa dia! I’d never before heard of a day being described as delicious, but he was right. It was.
I understand when you said "To my surprise, I was the exception rather than the rule...I counted only a handful of gringos who spoke passable Spanish." When we moved to Costa Rica, I was surprised by the other gringos on our mountain who couldn't speak a lick of Spanish, some of whom had been there almost 10 years! And I'm not sure they even cared to try! We always figured we'd have an easier time by learning and understanding what was going on around us if we learned to speak-and we're glad we did! Pura vida Jeanine!
I really love this, because I lived in Carmen Del Playa for almost a year. I felt so welcomed and comfortable among the beautiful people, who all welcomed my presence.
What was special about my time there news I actually live in an apartment near the beach, instead of a resort hotel like it’s usually the case in my situations. As a result, I had a chance to bring home a local people and she already and learn about their incredible culture.
Thank you Jeanine for sharing your experience, they bring back nostalgic memories.💖✨🤗
thank you! really loved this piece. You're a great storyteller! It deepens my understanding of Mexican culture and politics, and more about how things are done here.....It's interesting to me as a relative newcomer to Mexico, how things have changed since that time--yet also how they haven't. Even though many more Mexicans speak English now, I still think conversing in Spanish is the best way to make friends and really become part of life here. And while there are a growing number of expat enclaves where English is spoken as much or more than Spanish....where I am it is not like that,. I am eternally grateful for my rigorous high school Spanish education as a foundation. I was quite rusty when I arrived here but it's coming along now, I am even teaching a class bilingually.
Wow Ellen and hola! So great your language skills have improved so much and thanks for your comments and happy to hear you’re in a place where ‘old’ prevails over ‘new.’ We learned so much especially early on being the lone foreigners in the bunch. I’m very grateful for that. The history and tales told to us—like Mexico 101.
Arturo, what a perfect example of a person of character. His story is truly exemplary. He made a choice not to take an easy path of convenient corruption sitting at a desk and went on to achieve success, friendship and loyalty by using his hands to fulfill a promise to deliver doors to someone. Doors he opened into a creative and rewarding new life and career. One would be hard pressed to write a fictional story with stronger symbolism.
Wow Lucinda. Yes, some of the people we met in MX make US counterparts pale in comparison. It's like they're living life in technicolor, while US, mere black and white. Arturo and our friend Roberto, may he RIP, have been my favorite people we've met over the years. Our news editor friend is unbelievable too. But a more complicated person, though now that you mention it, all 3 would make perfect characters in a novel. I did put one of our MX nationals in my 2nd novel, Tulum Takedown. Our first insurance agent in MX was a former toreador! He was unreal. Silky shirt unbuttoned nearly to his navel, gold chains and chain smoking (this was the early 90s). Just a trip, and his entire office walls were plastered w/ his bullfighting photos. In Tulum Takedown, he calls my female protagonist 'Jefe.' all the time. (not Jefa). But just calling her boss made him more funny. And Arturo (real name changed for his privacy), quite a guy. Funny, quick-witted. Salt of the earth type. And fair fair fair.
Great story❣️I am looking forward to the next episodes🤝
Thanks so much. I post a chapter every other week. This week will be about a famous author with a Maya connection. On Aug 30 I’ll be back at it with Chapter 17–titled Tales from the Yucatán. So glad you are enjoying !!!
So many layers and such interesting people! I agree with your comment that corruption is everywhere and some just hide it better.
Love the people of Mexico. Very fortunate to have arrived early on. Thanks for reading Priya!
Great article, Jeanine! I didn't know about the extent of the corruption.
We got to know so many people in so many walks of life, from our building stage, neighbor phase, bookstore owners, through which we met everyone in town. And we were early as expats, plus the town was so small. Yes. But as I mentioned in another comment, I believe all countries have corruption —some just hide it better than others. Plus our best friend told us when we first got to MX that QRoo was like the Wild West. A state only since 1974 with a load of beaches and land.
Arturo sounds like a really interesting man. If so much of the society around him accepts and takes part in grift, where do you think his honesty comes from? Do you think governors, presidents and other people in power are still so corrupt, or have things improved over the years?
Just a decent person. In truth, everyone knows what’s wrong and what’s right. I think grift exists in most governments but some disguise it better than others. A friend explained it goes back to the time when the Spanish invaded and people were taken as workers or slaves. Corruption became a way of survival and the only people they trusted were family.
Great story, Jeanine! Mexico is such a multifaceted and complex place: rampant corruption contrasted with the warmth and generosity of the majority of Mexico’s people. And absolutely, one must learn Spanish to really enjoy this country. Such a shame that so many expats who live here do not avail themselves to all the rewards awaiting them when they become more integrated into the culture.
It’s a dichotomy but somehow it all makes sense. I’ve never learned more about so much—from so many. It’s kind of like life in Mexico is playing in technicolor and life north of the border is black and white. Maybe it’s just that people are more open, less guarded. Who knows? But it’s pretty great. On our first trip to MX eons ago we had the bus drop us at a sascab lane off main highway—you could see the ocean from the road. We walked the km to the beach and an older guy, the only other person around, greeted us with, Que sabrosa dia! I’d never before heard of a day being described as delicious, but he was right. It was.
Awesome story!
Mil gracias David!!
I’m
A fellow ex-pat! Loving your stories.
Thank you Elizabeth!!!
I understand when you said "To my surprise, I was the exception rather than the rule...I counted only a handful of gringos who spoke passable Spanish." When we moved to Costa Rica, I was surprised by the other gringos on our mountain who couldn't speak a lick of Spanish, some of whom had been there almost 10 years! And I'm not sure they even cared to try! We always figured we'd have an easier time by learning and understanding what was going on around us if we learned to speak-and we're glad we did! Pura vida Jeanine!
Ditto for us, what you said. Kinda crazy. Pura vida Marlo!!
I really love this, because I lived in Carmen Del Playa for almost a year. I felt so welcomed and comfortable among the beautiful people, who all welcomed my presence.
What was special about my time there news I actually live in an apartment near the beach, instead of a resort hotel like it’s usually the case in my situations. As a result, I had a chance to bring home a local people and she already and learn about their incredible culture.
Thank you Jeanine for sharing your experience, they bring back nostalgic memories.💖✨🤗