Comments on: Yucatan News: Spring Break Tourism

By: Carlos Daniel Gallegos

Carlos Daniel Gallegos — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 18:48:52 +0000

I’ll give YL readers a personal example of a person who separated from the locals. In 2005, while me and my wife (100% Yucateca) were in the WalMart on Paseo de Montejo, we overheard a man behind us, complaining about the meat prices in English. Come to find out, this was a Canadian man who also had a Yucatecan wife. He asked me if I knew where any English speaking community was in Merida. He did not know español; he relied upon his wife as a translator. I told him that I was trying to blend in with the people, and I did not know any areas in Merida where English speaking people were in their own community.

Hopefully this Canadian man was in the minority in wanting to seek out only English speakers and not learn español. I gained the respect of bus drivers, shopkeepers, and others for my attempt to blend in. I praise others who do the same.

By: CasiYucateco

CasiYucateco — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:11:15 +0000

CDG said: “I guess the U.S. citizens want the inexpensive life of Mexico, yet, also want the familiararity of fellow U.S. companions.”

I don’t know that that is necessarily true. There are US citizens of all types living in Mexico. A number live in enclaves of other gringos. And many blend in as much as possible, living among their Mexican neighbors, learning the language and enjoying life without seeing their adopted country as something to be separated from by artificial barriers.

Those who develop real relationships with their neighbors have fuller life. Those who learn Spanish understand more of what is going on around them. Most likely, people who want to live separately — for whatever reason in whatever location — want to do that regardless of the nation or city in which they live. Those who wish to intermingle, wish to do so wherever they are…. most likely.

By: Carlos Daniel Gallegos

Carlos Daniel Gallegos — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:29:55 +0000

I guess the U.S. citizens want the inexpensive life of Mexico, yet, also want the familiararity of fellow U.S. companions. It’s sad that the U.S. folks want to gate themselves away. I tried very much to blend in the community when I lived in Merida. Even in the U.S. there are groups who seperate themselves. In California and New York, there is Chinatown. In Miami Florida, there is little Havana. In the eastern U.S., there is the Amish Community. In Hollywood California, there is the gated rich stars. In Minnisota, there is an Islamic Community. Even in the U.S. there are people who gate themselves away from the rest. I left Merida after 2 years, for health and economic reasons. I would love to stay there until death. As a Native Texan or TexMex, I take great pride in my Mexican Culture. I often joked with the local Yucatecos that I was from the forgotten state of Mexico, Tejas. Thank you Working Gringos for your love of the land and it’s people.

By: Juan-Manuel

Juan-Manuel — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:03:45 +0000

Mi estimado amigo,
Thank you for all the kind words. You did make me realize though by seeing it in print None of the five languages is my native language of Nauhtl. I know in certain circles in Mexico there is a concern about losing our language. However, first we lost our language when the Spanish arrived. Though as you well know Mexico continues to be a country of a diversity of native languages. Also English has become the international business and technology language and as Mexico continues to evolve and be part of the global economy, English will continue to become more part of our daily lives. Rather than being overly concern about language I would rather us focus on the kindness and respect we show one another.

By: Working Gringos

Working Gringos — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:26:26 +0000

Juan-Manuel,

We are humbled by your compliments. And pleased to make the acquaintance of such a well-traveled, thoughtful reader, not to mention green with envy at your ability to speak five languages!

And we are, as you can tell, grateful for the spirit of the Mexican people and their ability and willingness to endure, thrive and be a cultural beacon to the rest of the world.

Muchas gracias.