Hot saws
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Mexico has been in the news repeatedly for the past two years, and we all know why. A deranged toddler averred that Mexico has not been sending their best. Really? Has this clown ever been there? Has he been in the Southwestern United States much?
One thing I appreciate about being in Southern California, and having a second home close to the border now, is my proximity to all things Latin American, without any of the drawbacks of living there.
I have lived south of the border and while I enjoyed the cultural enrichment, it isn’t easy for a pampered American to live abroad anywhere, including in our own hemisphere, no matter how sophisticated the country.
Whenever we want to, we can drive a few minutes to Olvera Street in Downtown LA or, when in San Diego, hit Old Town.
Since I have been in Mexico half a dozen times, ranging from Puerto Vallarta, to Mexico City, to Tijuana, I can say with confidence, Old Town is the same thing — almost.
We get the benefit of the unique and delicious food, the cheerful, catchy music, the colorful art, and the fact that without Mexico and Puerto Rico, most Americans could only speak English, and that, just barely.
Don’t think for a minute you can learn another language with Rosetta or Babbel.
There is only one way, either you are raised in a multilingual household by native speakers from other countries, or you immerse yourself in another culture without the benefit of falling back on English.
Where else would our English heritage have learned to add hot peppers to our bland diet?
Who do you think taught us about chili and cheese fries?
How else would we have had the good fortune to travel close-by to resorts that cost a small fraction of those in Europe or Hawaii?
Even the Caribbean is prohibitive. Not Mexico.
Would we have the beautiful architecture of all the Mission towns in the sun belt without the early Church fathers like Padre Junipero Serra?
And, Snow Birds who can no longer afford Miami or San Diego, can live like royalty over the southern border.
As you know, if you have been in my community for the last five years, I am no fan of hot weather, so when I choose to travel, it is always north.
In fact, we just got back from a wonderful trip to San Francisco. But I would be unfair if I were not to acknowledge the priceless contribution of South America to our country.
It needs to be recalled, that the people who come here want to bring all these good things to us in return for a chance to prove how wonderful they can be.
These are not lazy, untalented, unskilled people, nor criminals. These are hardworking ambassadors that contribute to our society in manifold ways. Let’s not forget it, or the words on the Statue of Liberty.
Images: Chez BeBe assets/Old Town, San Diego. Click on each photo to view it large.
Beth Byrnes 
Great thought provoking post as always Beth and wonderful photos. Some of the craftsmanship in the goods they produce is outstanding and often done with limited resources.
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Exactly and some of these people live in utter impoverished conditions, only to have privileged tourists come and barely acknowledge them. I have stopped going to places that exploit their crafts people for that very reason. Thank you Linda! xx
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💚💛💙💜🏆
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That last emoji….results from fat fingers!
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Hee hee. You are sweet! Thank you. I am so emoji-challenged, I would be the last to know what emoji is right or misplaced! 😀
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Thanks for the colourful and informational tour, Beth. Mexico sounds good to me! Lucky you live so close 🙂
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They are not to wild about us right about now and I am such a timid traveler these days, that I haven’t planned a trip there. But, Geoffrey’s family is constantly going on vacations in Puerto Vallarta and always come back with glowing reports.
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Beautiful photos truly alive.
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Thank you Charlotte!! ❤
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I taught migrant workers’ children when I graduated from college up around the counties in Toledo, Ohio area, (actually Otsego School District).
The children were clean, had such sweet smiles, some shy, others rowdy. I have 8 years of Spanish so we got along well. Their parents were respectful and listened carefully to my thoughts on their children. I saw love, maybe not all were truly this picture but I felt this way.
The tomato pickers, grape and potato workers produces went into Conn’s potato chips, Lonz and other wines, as well as ketchup factory.
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We are a stronger country when people from other cultures are welcome. What would we do without them? “Americans” are not all willing to do the work they do.
And, Deanna — who is a scientist — knows a lot of Asians in science. In Asian countries, advanced education is emphasized more and earlier than it is here, so we actually have a shortage of trained experts and thus import them from other parts of the world.
We can cut down on this by getting our kids into books and away from their phones and games!
🙂
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Yes! We have so many ways culture expands our minds, our world of technology and other areas. We cannot measure by just looking at numbers.
Deanna really is special and so glad to know she is a scientist!
I am on break eating my yogurt and granola so will close by saying thank you for keeping in touch. 💗
Soon, my brother Rich, his wife Susan and my grown daughter, her husband and two sons will be soaking in Bethany Beach where Susan’s family summer home is located. 🌞
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Bethany Beach — great name! Hee hee. Thank you Robin, hugs
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Yes, almost a cross between a “jock” and a “stripper!” 😀
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Oh, on CBS Morning (Monday) there is a chef featured, “Cooking for Consciousness.” He seems like he has tables people can share meals together. I think this is a great idea for lunches but dinners out, I prefer small group or just a few at my table. 😊
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Geoff and I hardly eat out any more. We don’t trust restaurants. Only a few faves. Also, I am always on a diet, hee hee. 😀
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You look beautiful and very healthy, dear Beth. I think you and Geoffrey are so wise about staying home to eat and be able to enjoy good choices, as well as a calm, clean space to eat. 💐
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Lastly, I’m so glad my grandchildren are encouraged to be active, read, engage in art and projects. . .we are on the same page on this issue!!
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That is the way you and I were raised, Robin. My parents didn’t let me have a TV in my room until I went to college. I spent a lot of time reading, mostly adult books (classics like O’Henry) as a child and my grandmothers’ books from the 1920s like Rosemary, Marjorie’s Busy Days, Peter and Prue and Elsie Dinsmore. They were nothing like the dumbed down stuff kids are reading today. PL Travers’ Mary Poppins makes Harry Potter look primitive!
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Mom would bring home her H.S. Lit books to peruse and plan lessons, as well as Spanish version of “Don Quixote.” She would expect me to read aloud and translate.
I enjoyed plays like Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” and all kinds of Shakespeare.
Yes, having a teacher for a parent has its positives! Reading good, mature books and being able to join our parents in attending theatre productions. . . which were never boring!
My Grandma suggested, “Mama’s Bank Account.” She liked that the grandmother was Swedish or Norwegian. 💮 🌸
She also suggested, “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.”
O’Henry is definitely a special author, too!
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