On our way home from Mexico, a few reflections:
• Once again, we were astonished by the beautiful and sophisticated crafts produced, in very humble and remote places, by hard-working artisans. Chiripa is glad to help these artisans carry on their ancient tradition, and earn a decent living for their families.
• Our experience of Mexico is very different from the sensational images we see in the media. We felt very safe, welcome and comfortable, and saw no evidence of violence or pandemic flu. Mexico is a big country, far older than the U.S. It has a deep cultural tradition and is populated with beautiful, warm, hard-working and courteous people. They have a strong religious and family tradition, and work hard to provide a good life for their families.
• Mexico has probably the largest indigenous population in the Americas (when Columbus discovered the “new” world in 1492, Mexico City was already bigger than any city in Europe). That fact continues to shape Mexican society, and makes Mexico a very special place.
• You can still see older people wearing traditional costumes, especially in rural areas. But when the older generation is gone, you will likely see mostly baseball caps, T-shirts and jeans produced in China and Indonesia.
• Once in a while (but still rarely), you will now see a man or woman in shorts. Middle- and upper-class people are talking on cell phones and staring at text messages (just as here), and a few of them are smoking (but nothing like here). Obesity is rare (unlike here). Despite a declining birthrate, you still see lots of babies (unlike here).
• Artisans are worried about the economy and the future. Many struggle to make a living, and traditions are at risk of being lost. Industrialization and cheap imports continue to replace traditional local crafts. Without viable and appreciative markets, traditional hand-made crafts and know-how will eventually cease to exist. --JM, August 19, 2009
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