After all these years, my relationship with the country where I was born and its traditions is different from what it used to be. For example, I'm not afraid to criticise those things I don't agree, however sacred they may be.
However, that doesn't mean that I stopped feeling myself Mexican. On the contrary, I believe I'm more aware of certain aspects of our culture and am proud of it, but I've learned to keep what is worthwhile and discard the rest, which for me has had more to do with attitudes than with popular culture. I've kept the joy and the ability of improvisation, but added some further planning. I've conserved the family ties and my friends, but have become more open to new people and ideas. I've kept listening to Mexican music (traditional or otherwise) and still wear guayaberas or my tejana from time to time (in my wedding I've even used a full charro outfit), but it doesn't mean I won't use something else (Japanese yukatas are great after sauna, for example).
However, this is about Mexican Independence Day. This year I won't be able to attend the reception given by the embassy since it is on Monday and I'll be travelling, but usually I go and have a good time. My wife will represent our family. To make up for that, we decided to cook Mexican tonight and have the appropriate music with my wive's family, and it all went well. You can judge the results below.
As I've said, I'm not a typical Mexican, so what relates me to Mexico is different than otherwise would be. When I think about it, I think about my family, my friends, the food and the music. I would also like to use this occasion to remember those parts of the country we don't usually think about, like our countrymen abroad, the indigenous peoples and the immigrants to the country that are making a better life for themselves there. All these and more are also Mexico.
