Tag Archives: mexico

in english

Mexicans can’t let go of the past


México espectacular
Originally uploaded by Chiva Congelado

We visited Xcaret during our trip to Cancún, and attended their evening show. In general it was very well made, and for example it is the first time I have seen the mesoamerican ball game being played live (no human sacrifice, though).

There was, however, one thing that bothered me in the show, but it wasn’t about the quality or anything like that. It was a segment where they had somebody singing “Mi México de Ayer” by Chava Flores. I actually have one of his CDs and think his music is quite good, but at the moment I was really annoyed by one very simple fact: Mexicans can’t let go of the past. This is also reflected in the way we are taught about own own history, where everything was better before than it is now and whatever comes from abroad is a threat.

We can’t start building a future if we keep on looking at the past.

No podemos construir un futuro si seguimos enfocándonos en el pasado.

in english

The two sides of the Mexican economy

I bought the "1000 most important companies in Mexico" edition of Mundo Ejecutivo magazine for my trip to Cancún, hoping to find some insightful understanding of the Mexican market and how are they driving the globalization process.  Instead I found a horrible, boring megaleaflet where all sorts of companies where trying to sell their product or service, but without focusing on the added value, only on market domination.

When I came back from the beach to Mexico City, I found the airport "maleteros", or luggage trolley employees, that offer their services to carry your luggage from the arrival gate to your car.  This service in many other countries is not provided, as you would be able to get a trolley yourself for free.  These guys, however, are unionised, and not only they not allow the introduction of trolleys, but they also forbid the entrance of competition.  Again, the same situation, no focus on added value, only monopolies.

With this kind of thinking pervasive in the economic activities of the country, it is no surprise a significant sector of the population perceives globalisation more as a threat than an opportunity.

in english

Seaside guacamole economics


Cancún beach
Originally uploaded by Chiva Congelado

When I was still having fun and enjoying the sun, sea and sand in Cancún, I had an insight that may be good to explain the concept of added value.

Whereas the ingredients for a plate of guacamole would cost you around 15 pesos (1 EUR) if bought at the supermarket, when I ordered it at my hotel it costed more than 80 pesos (5 EUR). If we take into consideration that the different farmers got probably a few peso cents for selling the individual avocados, onions and other individual ingredients this begs the question: Why the increase?

For starters, I didn’t have to grow the crops myself. I didn’t have to go to the supermarket and buy the ingredients and I didn’t have to prepare it either. Furthermore, I was at the beach and had a very nice view.

All these extras are called added value. This is why higher profits are not in the production of raw materials, and why I think that the strategies being followed by many Latin American countries in focusing on extraction of raw materials are not right for the medium/long term.

in english

American Spanish speakers

I was very pleasantly surprised when I found many Spanish-speaking WASP-looking Americans while visiting Cancún.  Even though Spanish in the United States is still a minority language, it seems that at least for some people outside of the original native speakers it has become important to learn it.

Before the Spanish-language skills of Americans used to be a joke amongst Mexicans, now I'm not so sure.

in english

Strong euro

With the current exchange rate, having expenses in US dollars or Mexican pesos and earning in euros is quite a nice value proposition.  I could truly see that my money would last longer, and get more for it.

I have to say it was really nice since I already have a shopping list before arriving in the place.

in english

Mexican breakfast

Most foreign visitors to Mexico (including Latin Americans) can’t understand how Mexicans eat that much for breakfast.

Instead of just coffee and a piece of bread, in Mexico you will start with a plate of fruit with or without a yoghurt topping, then move on to the main dish (usually eggs prepared in different ways, but might also be a spicy tripe soup or even a steak with nopales) accompanied witha glass of fruit juice and finally coffee and bread.

The best way to start the day. Comparing this to the Finnish institution of “riisipuuro” it’s no wonder they are hungry again at 11.

More chronicles on the Mexican breakfast available here, here, here and here.

in english

Henna “tattoos” and Asian tourists in Mexico

Japanese travel agent in Cancún
Japanese travel agent in Cancún

During my travels in Mexico I have found, surprisingly, many Chinese; Korean and Japanese tourists in the country and travel agencies specialising in catering to their tastes.  The diversification of the origin of tourists is very important for the prospects of the local tourism industry since most come from the United States and the weakness of the U.S. Dollar means an overseas vacation is not as enticing as it once was.

I have also found that henna body art has become fashionable in Mexico as well, as I found it advertised in Acapulco.

Mexicans are also part of globalisation, whether they want it or not.