We can't believe we've been home for a week, and still can't get Mexico out of our minds. Karen bought two Mexican cookbooks and we have enjoyed several delicious meals. Wish we could find a place to get some of the fresh ingredients, like napolito cactus and epazote, a fresh herb. Oh well, just have to make do.
We have been thinking about some of our general impressions and observations that might not have made it into the daily blog, and wanted to write about these to keep it for our memory book, and also to inform interested readers.
Let's start with the positive things, or reasons we would love to return to Mexico. First, is the people. They are very hospitable and courteous. While we were with Omar's brother, it was customary for every person to shake hands and share a verbal greeting each time you entered the house. Omar and all of his family made us feel like their home was ours, and went out of their way to be wonderful hosts. People on the streets, and even on the crowded subway were always courteous.
Next, is the food. The markets are full of wonderful fresh fruits and vegetables, that are extremely cheap. You shop daily for your food, and never get underripe fruit. How we miss the fresh mangoes already! The variety of peppers is amazing. The smell of food cooking on the streets makes your mouth water. And, the homemade ice cream vendors- Omar's son, Ivan, loves ice cream, so we made frequent ice cream stops. Roger liked the beer, Victoria and Indio are two of the Mexican beers he wishes would make it to the USA.
Of course, the scenery was amazing- volcanic mountains everywhere. Land that is too steep for farming is full of cactus “forests”, and shrub-like trees. Agricultural land is often terraced and every bit of arable land is utilized. The strip of grass between the corn fields and the highway was used for grazing small herds of sheep, goats, or an occasional cow, complete with a shepherd to watch them.
Although Mexico City is somewhat dirty and very overcrowded, many of the buildings, both old and new have architecture that is a treat. They seem to value design as an important part of the landscape. We hinted at the beauty of the buildings several places in the blog-it really is something to behold up close and personal. The way they use color is refreshing to the eye.
The public transportation system is enviable. Although the subway is crowded, it only cost 30 cents, for unlimited transfers. The bus system from city-to-city or village-to-village is fantastic, with 3 levels of service to choose from. And, you can always hail a taxi, which is relatively cheap, at least for tourists. We wish some of our tax dollars could be used to develop such an efficient public transportation system.
Although Mexico City is a bustling metropolis, there is still a laid-back attitude about time. Punctuality is not particularly important. During Meeting for Worship at the Casa, people wandered in all during the hour. A set time for something is not an absolute, so once you get used to this way of thinking, (which was not easy for us), it is something to enjoy. Meals are to be savored, not rushed. If your plan doesn't happen today, it can happen tomorrow. It's important to savor the moments as they unfold.
More observations tomorrow.
Your turistas again someday in Mexico,
Karen and Roger
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