Culturally Speaking

In Mexico Mother’s Day is always celebrated on the 10th of May which means that we had two celebrations for mom this year. Much is the same as in the US - flowers, chocolate, clothes, and a meal out are all appropriate for the day. We enjoyed a thoroughly Mexican meal of Pechugas de Pollo al Pimiento on Thursday, and then went to El Portón restaurant after service on Sunday. One church highlight was hitting the streets as a church body to give out roses as a Mother’s Day appreciation gift.

While I wasn’t able to be at the chicken shop, here is a first hand account of the experience. “Mom ordered four chicken breasts. First he took two of them and he weighed them to see how much they cost. He took the excess skin and cut it off with huge scissors. He put it into a plastic bag and slapped it until it was all flat. Then the lady we were with made her order. First he cut off the feet of the chicken. Then he cut the chicken open and scooped out its intestines and heart. Then he cut out the part she wanted and left the rest for later. Then he did the same thing with the second chicken. He scooped out the intestines and liver and stuff. Did you know they sell liver? He cut off the legs, wings and the head, except when he cut out the breast he showed it to me and the heart was hanging off of it. It was so gross. Christina started feeling sick and I went out with her.”

There is no doubt that soccer is king of sports here with nothing coming in as a close second. It’s interesting however that NASCAR is coming to Mexico. Just a few weeks ago Juan Pablo Montoya, a Columbian, won a race in Mexico City. Who would have ever thought that those Sunday afternoons listening to the radio with my Dad as Richard Petty and David Pearson battled it out could some day provide a cultural connection in Mexico?

Christiana has been losing quite a few teeth lately which brings us to yet another intriguing cultural tidbit. When we left the U.S. we left behind the “tooth fairy” and entered the territory of the “rat of the teeth” who also exchanges baby teeth for money.

Did you realize there is a minimum wage law in Mexico? It’s $4.78. Today I was in a government building with a Mexican friend on business and there right in front of me was a sign reminding everyone of the minimum wage - $4.78 per day!