moisheh
North America
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Recent posts from Bobofthenorth inspired me to write this post. Mr. Evans constantly refers to parts of Mexico as “ Mexico Light”. He especially uses this term to describe Kino. I admit at first I was offended but this post is not in response to his dislike of Kino ( and maybe me as well!) but rather is a post about the “ REAL MEXICO”.
What is the real Mexico? Is it the ruins at Palenque or the crowds in Puerto Vallarta? Is it the beach at Zihua or the tramway in Zacatecas, is it the silver in Taxco or the RV park in Teacapan, is it the Sunday market in Tlacalula or the hundreds of quads in Penasco, is it the Gringo enclave of Chapala or the surfers at Escondido. The answer of course is that it is all of the above. There is no such thing as Mexico Light. We all have our personal preferences. Many of us have stereotypes of Mexico. Perhaps some think that if an area is underdeveloped and primitive this is the real Mexico. I am guilty of that stereotype and it is wrong. Would you call Florida not part of the real USA because there are thousands of Quebecers or Cuban immigrants? That would be wrong as well. The culture of Florida includes these people just as the culture of Jalisco includes the 100,000 or so expats who live in gated communities. Countries evolve and although we may wish that Mexico would remain as it was say 50 years ago that is impossible. Mexico is a diverse nation and it is this diversity that allows winter visitors to get the experience they desire. You can party in Cancun, study in a University in Guad or learn Spanish in Patzcuaro. You can fish in the Sea of Cortes or eat like king in Oaxaca. One can boondock like Chris on the East Coast or stay in a high end RV park in Baja. All of these places are the REAL MEXICO.
Moisheh
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Deputy Chief P.O.
Linden, California
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To: Moisheh,
Couldn't have said it better. Well written from a Mexico expert.
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Turtle-Toad
Wherever I park (orig Kingston, WA. USA)
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I whole heartedly agree. And, if you don't mind, I'll include it on the website.
Mike
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Hpymils
Mazatlan/Marylandi
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The real Mexico is living in a casita in a working class neighborhood where none of your neighbors speaks English.
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qtla9111
Monterrey, Mexico
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Well said. Mexico is something different to everyone. A lot has to do with who you are, where you come from and what you like to do.
If I can ever get that close to the West coast, I might just try one of those high-end parks. Problem is, with limited vacation times its too far away. But retirement is right around the corner  .
1998 Nissan Pathfinder
2004 Shadow Cruiser 18ft.
Living and Boondocking Mexico
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stanbnv
Goldendale WA, La Peñita de Jaltemba, Nay.
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Well said moisheh, Well said. Stan
Stan & Linda
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"The Chief Warrent Officer was unimpressed by everything and seldom spoke except to express irritation."Joseph Heller,Catch 22
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bobofthenorth
Nipawin, SK
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moisheh wrote:Recent posts from Bobofthenorth inspired me to write this post. Mr. Evans constantly refers to parts of Mexico as “ Mexico Light”. He especially uses this term to describe Kino. I admit at first I was offended but this post is not in response to his dislike of Kino ( and maybe me as well!) but rather is a post about the “ REAL MEXICO”.
Moisheh
Methinks the lady doth protest too much. Of course Moisheh's post is a response to my posts. If it weren't, why mention my name? And who cares if it is a response to me? Maybe I should be flattered that my opinion matters so much. 
As usual Moisheh has missed the point of my references to Mexico-light. A gated community in Kino or Chapala is no more representative of how 99% of Mexicans live than Las Vegas is representative of how 99% of Americans live. To suggest otherwise is just silly and the content of Moisheh's post merely confirms that.
And, for the record, I have no particular dislike of Mexico-light destinations - if that is your desire then hop to it and visit those locations. I just want potential Mexican visitors to understand that those locations present a gringo version of Mexico that is atypical of how most Mexicans live.
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Deputy Chief P.O.
Linden, California
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To Bobofthenorth:
Que poco sabes de la majoria de la gente que viven en La Bahia de Kino!
Since you think you know so much about Kino as referenced, I am sure you will be able to translate.
* This post was
edited 04/12/08 01:24pm by Deputy Chief P.O. *
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jdtrotter
San Diego/Bahia Asuncion, Baja Sur
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I agree with moisheh. While we like to joke and say that the REAL Baja does not begin until El Rosario, Tijuana is also real Baja---a part of Mexico.
One of the things we have always loved about traveling Baja and the Mainland is how different so many areas are, and we have our preferences as to where we want to be.
The term Mexican- light I find interesting and confusing. Yes the gated gringo communities do not represent how most Mexicans live, nor do the fancy mansions in Zona Rosa in Mexico City, or the mansions in Merida, but those are owned by Mexicans, so I guess they would not be Mexican-light.
There was an interesting book written many years ago called "Many Mexicos". It would be interesting to take the many Mexicos and name all of them, but then again, those names would very apt to involve judgemental labels.
On the other hand, we are guily of such a label. We live in what we call Old Baja because it is like what much of Baja used to be, even that glitzly place called Cabo.
JMHO
Diane
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RCMAN46
NorthWest
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Joined: 02/24/2008
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bobofthenorth wrote:moisheh wrote:Recent posts from Bobofthenorth inspired me to write this post. Mr. Evans constantly refers to parts of Mexico as “ Mexico Light”. He especially uses this term to describe Kino. I admit at first I was offended but this post is not in response to his dislike of Kino ( and maybe me as well!) but rather is a post about the “ REAL MEXICO”.
Moisheh
Methinks the lady doth protest too much. Of course Moisheh's post is a response to my posts. If it weren't, why mention my name? And who cares if it is a response to me? Maybe I should be flattered that my opinion matters so much.
As usual Moisheh has missed the point of my references to Mexico-light. A gated community in Kino or Chapala is no more representative of how 99% of Mexicans live than Las Vegas is representative of how 99% of Americans live. To suggest otherwise is just silly and the content of Moisheh's post merely confirms that.
And, for the record, I have no particular dislike of Mexico-light destinations - if that is your desire then hop to it and visit those locations. I just want potential Mexican visitors to understand that those locations present a gringo version of Mexico that is atypical of how most Mexicans live.
I agree most Americans would not want to live in the real Mexico where most Mexicans do. I do not see many Americans risking life and limb crossing into Mexico illiaglly because they can not find a job in the USA.
Several years ago Westinghouse Electric sent me to Naco Mexico to work on a motor generator set. I assure you I could not believe the conditions that people live in. Now this was a border town but the people in Naco told me it was typical of most small out of the way towns in Mexico. I was never so glad to get back into the United States.
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