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In large modern cities such as the capital, Mexico City, and tourist destinations such as Acapulco, activities can last long into the night. Outside these large urban (city) centers, people are generally farmers and live a simpler lifestyle with fewer modern conveniences (nice things for easy living).
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Many people in Mexico are poor and try to immigrate (move) to the United States to find a better life. American businesses have factories along the Mexican border with Texas where they can take advantage of Mexican workers who will work for less money than American workers. Mexico is struggling to improve these poor economic conditions. For instance, it is developing its resource of "black gold" (oil) which is found mostly along the Gulf Coast. |
RELIGION AND FESTIVALS
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About 96% of the Mexican population (people) is Roman Catholic. The Virgin Mary is an important figure (person) in their religion. Many pilgrims visit her shrine at Guadeloupe where she is believed to have appeared. Saints are also a central part of the average Mexican's life with many places and items having a patron saint.
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About the time Pride II will be sailing past southern Mexico, they will be celebrating the Day of the Dead on November 1 and 2. This festival is held to honor the dead. However, it is not a mournful (sad) occasion, but a time of merriment (happiness). Large groups gather in graveyards to enjoy lively picnics as families remember their happy memories of lost loved ones. In honor of the holiday, children enjoy decorated sugar skeletons. During the Day of the Dead, towns are decked with flowers which are offered to the deceased (dead).
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Another favorite Mexican custom is that the children role play (make believe) the journey of Joseph and Mary at Christmas time. They sing songs and ask neighbors for a place to stay the night. At a final house, they are invited in where the children have a party which includes the breaking of a paper piñata which is filled with candy and toys. Each household also displays a special Nativity scene (the stable and Christ child).
THE SPIRIT OF MEXICO
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Mexico is a land of contrasts (opposites) - from rich skyscrapers to poor tin hovels and adobe mud huts - from tropical jungle to dry unforgiving deserts. It is a land which challenges its people. As with the Day of the Dead, Mexicans have the strength of spirit to take tragedy and turn it into comedy. By celebrating this religious holiday, they demonstrate (show) that in death there is no end - that the spirit lives on. They are strong spirited people who should be admired (look up to) for believing in themselves.
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Hasta luego (See you later),
Leslie Bridgett
Photo credit: Thanks to the Acapulco Visitors Bureau for images of Acapulco, and to Paige Tompkinson for images of the Basilica of Guadeloupe and Spanish entertainers.
YOUR THOUGHTS
- Make a list of what you would do at home to prepare for a hurricane. Include preparations to the house and items you would gather, such as food.
- In early November 1998, a four masted tall ship, Fantome, reported 110 mph winds and 40 foot seas as she tried to out run Hurricane Mitch. The ship was reported missing shortly after this broadcast. If she was located in the vicinity of Latitude 15 degrees North and Longitude 87 degrees West, near what countries did this occur?
- Make a mini-weather report. After looking out a nearby window, record your observations in descriptive terms (words) for the following categories:
- Precipitation (rain, snow, fog, none)
- Clouds (clear, scattered, partly, totally gray)
- Temperature (freezing, cold, chilly, warm, hot)
- Wind (calm, light breeze, windy, strong and gusty).
- Name the three categories above that would be more exact if you used equipment that would provide a number measurement. Why do you think scientists prefer to make observations with equipment?
- Based on the description of the rainforest, draw a picture showing some of the animals there.
- Create a short story about a young monkey who sees the loggers on the edge of his forest. Tell how he warns the others and what they plan to do.
- Would you want to see a bull fight? Why or why not?
- List two differences between your school and a school in Mexico.
- Tell how The Day of the Dead is similar (like) to our Halloween. Tell how it is different.
- How does the children's celebration of Christmas in Mexico include many people in the neighborhood?
- If you were to visit Mexico, tell which of the following you would visit and why:
- Pacific beach resorts like Acapulco
- the tropical rain forest
- the huge (12 million people ) modern capital, Mexico City
- a small farm in the countryside
- ruins (old buildings) dating from the time of the early Indians
Return to the first part of the October 24, 1998 log.
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