Missing The Small Things In Everyday Life
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April 16th, 2007
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We're back from the earthquakes of Acapulco and I'm sitting here in Polanco for another half day alone without the children sipping some fine wine in a fabulous restaurant with Wi-Fi. I've been talking to a nice Mexican couple next to me for a couple of hours about the city. Every time I travel I'm reminded of how valuable traveling is for developing a wide perspective on life and the world. Much is learned regardless if experiences are good or bad. The things I miss from back home are often basic and closely related to life quality. It's great to be reminded every now and then of the many great things taken for granted. What do I miss during my long vacation here in Mexico? Mostly basic things than I think very little of. I miss the clean air of Sweden. Mexico City is dirty and one of the most polluted cities on earth. It sucks to look into a huge cloud of smog in every direction. While being outside for an hour I'm probably breathing in more crap than during a year in Sweden. The only bad thing missing in the air is radioactive fallout.
Sidewalks. How can I miss such a little thing? I miss walking. Going for a walk here is almost impossible. Oh how great it would be to stroll around with the kids sleeping in the stroller without being surrounded by a million cars, worrying about kidnappers, robbers, and 100 lbs. angry Rottweilers jumping against the fence of every third house I pass. Sidewalks are narrow, broken, and impossible to maneuver with a stroller. Most streets don't even bother with sidewalks. When I take the kids for a walk I have to walk on the street. The streets of the worlds largest city where traffic is so bad it's off the charts.
I miss basic security and being able to look away without fearing someone will steal my stuff. It would be great not having to constantly look around for possible threats. I'm a full time bodyguard here. Taking my eyes off the kids for one second means someone might snatch them. It's a terrifying feeling and not a relaxing environment. Today we went by a photo studio to look at some photos from last week. While we talked to the photographer Daniel was playing outside the door. Not even 10 feet away, and within sight. The guy asked me if I was crazy, he reminded me that it was really dangerous and I should bring him in immediately. And my wife lives in a fairly good and calm area. Can you imagine how it is in other places?
My visit to the very nice Antara mall in Polanco shows the problems with safety. Many people living in the area have money and criminals know it as well. I counted 15 armed guards during a short stroll through the place. This does not include security inside the stores, only guards looking for outside threats. Doesn't strike me as life quality but I could be mistaken.
I miss peace, quiet, and some green spots. Going for a walk without hearing 50 dogs barking at the same time as a zillion cars drive by. Or strolling by a little park where the kids can play while they hear the birds sing. In a playground with some grass and trees, not cement, where people leave plastic toys because the know no one will steal them and they will remain in the sandbox forever. There are some huge parks in the city but that's it. The city is nothing but cement. Wherever you look. To make things nicer a fountain is placed here and there. Of course made out of cement.
I feel so sorry about all the poor people. I can't help it. There are almost no poor people in Sweden and no little boys begging for scraps in the streets. It makes me feel guilty and uncomfortable. I give money as soon as I see a family with kids in need. I've been to Mexico countless times but I never get used to seeing all the suffering. The poor people make up a majority of the population. By some estimates as much as 80% are poor. Makes me feel like total crap.
I miss efficiency. Being able to get things done over the internet in a quick and effortless way. Or with a few phone calls. I miss being able to send a simple letter to another country without it taking 7 weeks. It takes 6 weeks and 4 days for transit in Mexico and a few days outside the country. I like getting boring stuff out of the way in an hour instead of spending a day in the car going from place to place.
I'm tired of facing traffic everywhere. Wife's family lives in a fairly good area where there is little traffic within a mile of the house. But try going further and you're out of luck. Traffic is less catastrophic between 10 Pm and 6 Am and between 10-12 am. for every week traffic gets worse and no one tries to do anything about it.
I miss not having to lock my doors. I like to leave the front door open and let Daniel run in and out playing in the front yard of the house here. Wife constantly reminds me I need to keep the door closed and locked. This is despite living in a good area and having a house surrounded by a 10 foot wall, steel gates, and a huge intimidating dog.
Next time you get sick of your child nagging, terrible two's are getting on your nerves, or the kids have a fever, take a step back and think about how many small things you can be grateful for. Take the kids and travel, enjoy great memories and other more challening times. Your everyday life will be much richer with a totally different perspective.
Yup, I hear you. Nothing like seeing how other people live to appreciate what you have.
When we were in Cambodia, there were so many kids begging. We were advised not to give money because they usually are forced to beg by bad people and never see the money. So we usually bought food and gave it to the kids. At least they get a full belly that few hours.
As a woman, I definitely miss the freedom and respect that I enjoy in N. America.
And people in the United States can’t figure out why the people in Mexico are willing to risk just about anything to get the hell out. Sheesh.
I’m glad at least that the MAJOR traumas of the trip are (hopefully) behind you, and that everybody is so far no worse for wear.
I haven’t had much time to comment, but have been following your fascinating journey. Thanks for sharing it all.
(BTW, based on this, I tagged you for a meme, when you have the time and/or inclination:
http://tripleventi.com/2007/04/17/thinking-blog-award/)
Apr 16th, 2007 at 11:46 pm
[…] austinfd wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptOh how great it would be to stroll around with the kids sleeping in the stroller without being surrounded by a million cars, worrying about kidnappers, robbers, and 100 lbs. angry Rottweilers jumping against the fence of every third … […]
Apr 17th, 2007 at 1:42 am
[…] Stone Martindale wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptOh how great it would be to stroll around with the kids sleeping in the stroller without being surrounded by a million cars, worrying about kidnappers, robbers, and 100 lbs. angry Rottweilers jumping against the fence of every third … […]