The "Real" Mexico

I think what is indelibly etched in my mind as the "real" Mexico is the image of the Tarahumara (Native American peoples of north-western Mexico) in the state of Chihuahua.  We met three little girls waiting for the zip-liners in Copper Canyon (Barranca del Cobre).  They and their puppy quietly watched us with their big brown eyes as they sat with their display of pine-bark earrings their mother (presumably) had made.  The only noise was from a very young blue-eyed kitten who squeaked when one of the girls held her tightly.  There was a little box in front of them for donations or payment.  A few of us dropped coins in there.  The girls were all under 5 and as quiet as could be.  It seems unusual to me, but the Tarahumara and their dogs are all very, very quiet and watchful.  Not unhappy or dejected.  Just quiet.  I'm too used to children, even my own which are quieter than most, being noisy.  Another thing we noticed, while zip-lining (tisolera) through the canyon, was that there are homes nestled along the canyon walls.  With tiny foot-paths everywhere.  

This morning, as I walked along a beautifully manicured roadside and admired the mangrove-lined canals of Nuevo Vallarta, I thought of how this isn't the "real" Mexico.  The "real" Mexico, or so I thought, includes poverty and dirt streets strewn with garbage.  I had to then chastise myself - even after two months, I've only scratched the surface.  The real Mexico does contain the poverty and the wealth.  Just because we were first introduced to the poverty doesn't meant that the wealth isn't as real.  The owner of the resort at which our boat is berthed founded a charity to provide homes for the families that live and work at the local dump.  There are weekly excursions there to provide food and goods.  There are many other charities - some created by locals and others by transplants from the US and elsewhere - to provide many, many other services.  For example, one group stuffs small duvet-type covers with gently used plastic bags to create mattresses for children that currently sleep on the floor.  

I must admit that after seeing the poverty, the luxury makes me uncomfortable (guilty????).  We try to do our part: make sure our garbage is handled properly, donate supplies that we brought from the US to schools and families when we can, be generous in our tips and so forth.  But as transients, it is hard to make a lasting impact.  Perhaps our lasting impact is helping our children realize just how many ways there are to live and many opportunities to help others.