It was shoulder to shoulder in Playa's main square as locals and tourists alike gathered to be in the center of it all. The focal point of the night was a live broadcast from Mexico City where the country's president reenacted the call to freedom made by Father Hidalgo some 200 years ago. Father Hidalgo, tired of being ruled by Spain, rang the bell of his little church calling everyone to fight for liberty. This was the beginning of the Independence War, which lasted 10 years and eventually ended in Mexico's freedom from outside rule.
What struck me most about the celebration wasn't anything I saw or heard - rather it was how I felt. Numb - like I didn't care. I felt absolutely no emotion even among the crowds chanting "Viva Mexico" (Mexico, live). The Mexicans displayed such pride for their homeland - in their smiles, in their songs and in their celebration. I'm not Mexican, and I'm not proud of Mexico as a country. I'm not ashamed of it either - it just doesn't evoke strong emotions either way.
I began to realize that we're really outsiders here. Allan and I are just visitors - hopefully not temporary ones. If something were to go awry, it's the US we'd flock to. The US is our home - where our friends and family live - where we were born and where we have our allegiance.
Granted we've only been in Mexico just over 30 days. We're still newbies, and there's plenty of time to get acclimated and to develop some sense of pride for our new homeland. It's not like I hate it here. On the contrary, I love living here. The weather is great, people are nice, food is amazing and landscape is breathtaking. I guess I just realized for the first time that although we live here, this is not really where we call home.
Playa del Carmen Condo and Villa Vacation Rentals
Allan checks out the various carts selling patriotic goods.
Celebrations outside the municipal square. In typical Mexican fashion someone from the roof shouted "that'll be $5" after I shot this photo".
Eating panuchos and empanadas at Dona Marias. Panuchos are like open faced tacos while empanadas are like dumplings.
Fireworks Mexican style.
Allan reviews our marketing brochure. Why sit behind a desk when he can relax?
Beach front condos - great in the sunshine, awful during a hurricane.
I try my hand at boogie boarding. It's been about 15 years since I've last tried. Being out of shape and overweight certainly helped me miss every wave!
I try to hide the 10 or so pounds I've gained since leaving Boston.
4 comments:
In time this new land will feel like home. Sure you are American (born & raised), but Mexico has a way of growing on you. I've visited there for the last 25 years (several times a year) and I feel that I'm half American and half Mexican. (really I'm Italian) Things are very different there, but in a good way. Home is how and where you make it. Enjoy!
You're right, you will never be Mexican but in time you will be a recognized member of the community and it will feel different.
About the weight gain - stress is probably what did it to you - you have been in so much change and stress for a while now. So be good to yourself, try to let things go, and don't worry about it.
I just noticed that you live around the corner from me. It took about a year and a half for me to feel like I had connections and really felt like home. Last summer was the first time I felt more comfortable in Playa than in the States. I'm back here now; can only live in Playa part time right now. Be back soon. Playa grows on you, it just takes a bit of time.
What a sad post but I know exactly what you mean. We are not Mexicans and never will be. The most we can hope for is that we get accepted in our new home and community of choice. It takes a while though. Just keep a smile on your face, flow with the punches and you will do fine. And the most important...speak Spanish whenever you can to a Mexican. Don't worry about the grammar or correctness. That alone will get you further than you can even think.
(p.s. After Monday night, I am going to be shunning large gatherings of people for awhile!)
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