Unsatisfied

I had an interesting conversation last night with some friends about my country and their country. It all started because we (Alex, Ruben, and JP) were watching a movie and then got to talking about movies that we want to see, and I mentioned the movie that is coming up about September 11. That got us talking about the United States, and the love/hate relationship that Mexicans have with the country. I can always come up with a bajillion things that I don't like about my country (of course there are lots of things that I DO like too!), and they can think up a bajillion reasons why the U.S. is way better than Mexico. I tend to disagree. And then I was given the harsh truth about why I like to live in Mexico so much and they don't. In the U.S. everyone (supposedly) has everything they need. I had everything I needed plus more when I lived there, so I won't disagree that my physical needs were met. In Mexico, people don't have everything they need. I mentioned that "half the population of the City of Queretaro is definitely not poor," and they laughed. They said that I just see the outside of people here - all my friends here have decent homes, a good deal of nice clothes, and can go do stuff like see movies, go out to dinner, etc. But that's because everyone spends all their money on STUFF. If you have money here, you spend it. Immediately. You buy a bigger TV, new clothes, take your family out to Italianni's Restaurant, etc. I like Mexico because the culture here is more focused on people then on time and efficiency. My friends say that I can enjoy Mexico so much because I am not in debt, I have savings, and I also have everything I need to live. I live comfortably. They HAVE THINGS, but don't have money. I went to Alex and Ruben's family's home last night, and it is nice. Anyone in the States would say that those guys live comfortably. They have a nice home, their mom has a car, they have nice clothes, and are able to go do stuff that costs money. Looking at how I lived at my parents' house, I had all the same stuff (plus my OWN car!!). But I had resources for in case something bad happened - in case a parent or myself got really sick, in case something happened to our home (flook, earthquake, etc.), in case we got robbed - if we needed money fast, we could get it. I still have that security here. I have seen how the family that I live with here does not have that security. It comes time to pay inscription for the kids' school, and we eat rice and hot dogs for the month. Then that makes me need to take a decision - should I just GIVE the family more money (I pay rent and stuff every month...)? I can. But is that wise?? I feel bad because Gaby knows that I have money in savings, that I will be okay if an emergency comes up.

I think I liked it better when I thought that everyone who has a nice home and a car is not poor. I remember having almost this same conversation with Suyapa in Honduras last December. I was telling her how I think they do really well for themselves - they have really fixed up their old home nicely, they now have a car, all three boys are either in higher education, or have graduated from university... She laughed. She said it's just because I can't see how they really are financially, and THEY aren't too bad off compared to most of the people in our neighborhood.

I almost feel guilty for coming from a nice middle-class family in the States, and for not having to worry (much) about finances. I think that we all hate things about our own countries and cultures, and always think that someone elses' is better. But I am glad that I'm here in this country, and ultimately, I am glad that I come from Oregon and grew up how I grew up. I know that God has a purpose for putting everyone in their respective locations.

So that was my little lesson in Mexican culture for the day.