What A Great Weekend

living.boondockingmexico@yahoo.com

Saturday took us downtown around noon for a folkloric dance show. The purpose was to promote the deeply discounted sale of school supplies. This was sponsored by the state and local government and local merchants. They were selling school supplies, shoes, giving free haircuts, manicures and pedicures. No excuse not to return to school well-prepared and looking good.

The dance group is made up of younger students. These kids come from middle and lower-middle class backgrounds but are studying and dedicating their time and interest to dance. A good way to keep kids in school and out of trouble. They work hard at this and practice several times a week for long hours. Trust me, I've been there.

What kills me is how young they are and how old I am. I guess I can't stop the clock. Oh well. They are all swell kids, very out-going, polite and courteous.

On another note, I was surprised at all the emails I received regarding my comments on the desalojo that took place on the beaches of Tenacatita. Like I had said, I don't know the particulars of this case, however, I do know Mexican law.

I would hope that if people come to Mexico to visit or missionary work, they don't bring a bunch of old clothes and bibles. What we need are scholarships to encourage people to study. Most Mexicans are under the misconception that Americans go to school, including the university, for free and that the government gives out checks, food, and free housing to anyone for the asking. They fill their shorts when I explain that the reason everything looks so nice in the U.S. is that we are taxed to death. My property taxes are a mere 120 dollars here. Take the same house and put it in San Antonio would be over 8000 dollars. They can't comprehend that.

I also believe, as I stated before, that people like Mexico to be poor. It's good for foreign investment. For some reason they find an attraction to dumpy places on the beach where there are no sanitary conditions and they love cheap prices. Fine, but would you want that in your neighborhood?

I think there is a happy middle ground where Mexican can retain its cultural identity (I doubt it will ever be lost) and we can move into the 21st century with higher education, better paying jobs and a better understanding of globalization.