Job Discussion Forums

[vieux canaille]

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]

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]

[PlayadelSoul]

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]

[Guy Courchesne]

"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]

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


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! ) 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]

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

[Guy Courchesne]

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.

[lozwich]

Just jump on any bus on the Estrella Roja line, and you'll have it blasting through your brain while you're trying to sleep every time they change the soothing sounds of the incredibly violent action movie.

But thanks Guy, got Mexico-sickness at the moment, its nice to be able to resurrect some of my memories!

I was talking about the "real Bogota" with someone the other day. Unless I'm living in some kind of hallucination, I think everywhere is real, isn't it? Each person's own experience is unique, but no less 'real' than another's. (And yes, Buddhists, I know what you'd have to say about that. )

[vieux canaille]

Muy agradecido, Guy!
Beautiful song, will be stuck in my head all day working outside in the freezing rain here in the Montana rockies, dreaming of steamy jungles and sun-scorched hillsides in Mexico. Soon come.

[some waygug-in]

I've always taken that term to mean any part of Mexico that is away from the northern border region or not a part of the overly-comercialized tourist areas. (Cancun or Acapulco among others)
But I suppose it is a matter of perspective.

[Samantha]

Good discussion... reminds me of myself as a tourist in the Dominican Republic a few years back. Tours were being sold from the all-inclusive resort areas to see the "real" Dominican life. The tourist vehicles climb into the hills and we all filed through this nice little old lady's dirt floor house complete with chickens running around the kitchen (the floor had been pecked clean!). Turns out the lady was being well-paid by the tour company and was quite well off. We walked in one door and out the other. Speaking of Hollywood sets, Melee. There was a drunken pig laying near the entrance to the yard. All quite "real" looking. It was an embarrassing tour.

I guess this is the scene that plays through foreigner's minds when they utter the words "live like a Mexican" in reference to staying within their budgets! It's my pet peeve. Anyone who has lived in Mexico for any length of time knows that just as there is no specific definition for "real mexico" there also is no defining "live like a Mexican". That's just like saying "live like a Canadian" or "live like an American".

[Guy Courchesne]

Spoken like a true Canadian, eh?

[ls650]