Job Discussion Forums

vieux canaille · Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 4:48 am Post subject: The "Real" Mexico

In perusing the Mexico forum, occasionally I have heard this or that about the "real" Mexico...Is it possible for one destination, say Oaxaca, to be more "Mexican" than another such as Coahuila or Durango?
When I try to imagine the "real" USA, for example, I kind of draw a blank.
For that matter, where is ther real Australia or the real Senegal, Canada, etc...In My Humble Opinion, such places do not exist. What are your feelings or impressions on this one?

wildnfree · Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 134

I don't know, but my guess would be that being a very diverse nation, what constitutes as "Real Mexico" could be any number of things. Maybe you mean short, fat guys wearing the ponchos sitting under tall cacti eating taco bell?

Just to add to the OP's question, I would be interested in knowing how "gringoised" the North is (ie Monterrey and Guadalajara).

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

PlayadelSoul · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 346 Location: Playa del Carmen

The "real Mexico" is just an elitist term, used by tourists who want to show you how cool they are because they choose to visit places a little off the beaten path. Go to a small village in the Yucatan and tell me it is the same as a small village in the center of the country. If I were enlightened, I could claim both were the "real Mexico". They are nothing alike, which just means that Mexico (like most large countries) is diverse, and its all real.

sickbag · Joined: 10 Jan 2005 Posts: 155 Location: Blighty

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

"Real" Mexico can probably never be known, at least not in its entirety. I think it's something you can only really catch a glimpse of if you are a foreigner. Too big a country and too diverse. And if one finds one little truth, it can all change the next day.

Here is a set of glimpses, put to song....

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3337665111206324094&q=mexico+en+la+piel

The lyrics to the song help...

Like a view made in Sonora
Dressed in the Sea of Cozumel
With the color of the sun over all your body
This is how Mexico feels on your skin

Like good tequila made in Arandas
Or all the honey of Yucatan
and the weavings of Aguascalientes
or spun wool in Teotitlan

This is how Mexico feels, this is how Mexico feels
just like lips on your skin
This is how Mexico embraces you, this is how Mexico tastes
This is how Mexico feels on your skin

Like seeing the Sierra of Chihuahua
or the crafts of San Miguel
like looking down from the cliffs of Quebrada
This is how Mexico feels on your skin

Like speaking Tarasco or Zapoteco
Or saying 'Bazasiachic Tzin Tzun Tzan'
'Matanchen Janitzio or Lambitieco'
in Xcaret, Tlapax, and Tenochtitlan

This is how Mexico feels, this is how Mexico feels
just like lips on your skin
This is how Mexico embraces you, this is how Mexico tastes
This is how Mexico feels on your skin

Like a good sarape from Saltillo
like a welcome in Veracruz
with the emotion of a face-to-face kiss
This is how Mexico feels on your skin

Like discovering chocolate
or like the steam of hot coffee
eating nopal, beans, and avocado
and by a woman who knows how to prepare them

This is how Mexico feels, this is how Mexico feels
just like lips on your skin
This is how Mexico embraces you, this is how Mexico tastes
This is how Mexico feels on your skin

This is how Mexico feels on your skin
This is how Mexico feels
on the skin

Xcaret version of the song

MELEE · Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 2:27 pm Post subject:

I live in fake Mexico myself. You all think I'm in Oaxaca, I'm really on a set at Hollywood studios. Wink

Okay, now that I've had time to mull it over, I will give a more in depth response. vc, I know exactly what you mean. I hate it when people think that Sex and the City, or 90210, or any movie, represent America, as I think most American's do (or should! Razz

) But yet, so many of us easily fall into the "real Mexico" trap. Is any part of Mexico fake? Are any Mexican's living their life unathentically? Certainly, some parts of the country are more Americanized and less traditional than others. I live in a small city that has often been describe as "real Mexico" by teachers. Part of me finds that somewhat insulting and condesending, but I understand what they were getting at, and know they didn't mean it as an insult, but more like a compliment.
Mexico is a fairly large country, it harbors a lot of diversity within its boarders, each teacher's Mexico experience will be different, even if they are in the same place, but especially if they are in places as different as Oaxaca and Coahuila. The north and south are very different. I often feel as if Mexico might as well be two different countries divided around Mexico City. I think the best bet for the visitor who wants to get to know the place is to visit a broad section of the country, but spend an extended period of time in one or two places.

Mejico! Mejico!

vieux canaille · Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 2:34 pm Post subject:

That song speaks a thousand words...hoo, I've got the shivers!
Guy, how does the tune go; can you sing it?

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Just click on that Google Video link and turn up the volume...this is the Luis Miguel version, set in Mariachi. The orchestral version sung and performed at Xcaret is much much better. Give it a listen here

It's become something of a touristy, alternate national anthem for Mexico, especially after Luis Miguel released his version. I can't sing it..haha. Maybe I'll try on the 30th if Leigh joins me for a duet.