Rainy Afternoon in Chacala re Gringolandia

I just ran into a blog by an ex-pat living near Guanajuato, I think. It's called "The Plain Truth About Living in Mexico." It's not what you might think. His blog is on My Space, which I think is a huge mistake, ( very confusing). But the posts are very very interesting. We share similar views on at least two topics.One is the impact of Gringolandia's, and the people who live in them, on Mexico towns. "Gringolandia" is name given to closed (usually with security gates) developments for wealthy people. Often, in Mexico, they are created specifically for gringos. Apparently as safe havens where they can pretend like they still live in the U.S. or Canada.

It's a little different in the Chacala. The lots and homes in development at the north edge of town have mostly been bought by wealthy Mexicans. Lately some gringos have been buying in there. It's funny. Three times I have heard a gringo/a realtor or realtor wanna-be, who is trying to sell lots or homes in that development, mislead their customers about who lives in the development. I assume they are trying to avoid telling their potential customers that most of the owners are wealthy Mexicans. People who are unlikely to want to socialize with gringos.

This mini-carnival arrived in Chacala a few days ago.
It's parked in the street across from the church.

But I suggest anyone who is interested in this topic read this guy's blog.

This writer also discusses an issue he sees as a primary difference between gringo and Mexican cultures. He says that one of the things that is really different in Mexico is that people generally don't give themselves, or have cultural permission, to display their anger and rage and rudeness publicly.Looking back, after 5 years in Mexico, he remembers (and sees on U.S. news) that rage is displayed and exhibited everywhere and often in the U.S.. And rudeness.

Rude behavior about normal people (excluding politicians, criminals, law enforcement personnel and the military) seems to be very, very unusual in Mexico. Except by tourists. I agree with him about that. Actually, I think there is rudeness, but it's kind of subtle (for non-Spanish speakers), and not very obvious, especially if you are too busy getting want you want to pay attention to body language, etc. The author, Doug Bower, didn't express his opinion on how the this cultural permission to freely express my rudeness, anger, rage, and aggression anywhere, any time plays out in personalities of Mexican-Americans coming to Mexico. I am thinking about people who have Mexican families but spent time in the US growing up or as young adults. This guy runs a dart game. You get one dart for 10 pesos.

The prizes are "food": pop, cookies, etc.

I think I know how it plays out with some of these people when they arrive or come (back) to Mexico after living in the US. I have seen it here. Rages, temper tantrums, aggressive threats, and violence. They have adopted gringo cultural values, I guess.

Anyway, I hope I haven't misrepresented his ideas. Here's a link. Take a look. And here's the link. I hope it works.

The Plain Truth About Living in Mexico
http://blog.myspace.com/Mexicanliving