And the image of the «desperado» Antonio Banderas with a guitar always comes to mind. But at your very first acquaintance with Mexico, having barely set foot on its hot soil, you suddenly discover that you seem to exist in two parallel worlds. One resembles a magical fairy tale, the other confronts its guests with real, harsh reality, with its inevitable rough edges. Let's start with the pluses that delight us.
Here it's an eternal celebration
The first thing that catches your eye – is the extraordinary warmth of the Mexicans. They also adore entertainment and music, which pours out of the open doors of the numerous cafes and little restaurants. At times you get the impression that the festival of merriment will go on forever. This feeling is heightened by the colorful and spectacular Mexican carnival. It is usually held in the port city of Mazatlán, to which more than 300 thousand people from all corners of the world flock every year.
Inexpensive medicine
Medicine in Mexico is simply astonishing. And in a good sense of the word. The local doctors are very caring and know their business well. Treatment, by the way, is not so burdensome for the patient's wallet. Unlike many European countries, even paid medical services – are inexpensive. Mexico is literally dotted with pharmacies, many of which operate around the clock. And the prices of medicines remain consistently low.
They love and pamper children
For Mexicans, children – are a true comfort for the heart. Little ones are allowed any liberty here. And no one will reproach them for bad behavior or start reading them long lectures. A child in Mexico grows up in an atmosphere of love and tender care. «My joy», – that is exactly how it is customary to address children, who constantly receive sweets and the toys they take a liking to.
Delicious food
Mexicans love to eat well and heartily. And the national cuisine is bursting with the most diverse dishes. In any little restaurant the menu will be sure to include the famous quesadilla, fajita, taco, and burrito. True, these dishes are seasoned with various spicy sauces. Note that in Mexico fruits and vegetables are very cheap and always fresh. The same can be said about seafood. Mexicans seem obsessed with the cult of delicious food. After a hearty dinner or lunch, especially on Sundays, – whole families settle on the picturesque beaches, which many tourists have also taken a fancy to.
Always upbeat
Mexicans are very fond of life. And the Latin saying: «Remember death» – has a completely different meaning for them. In the small town of Xcaret there is a cemetery that is saturated with a spirit of fun. And each grave is made in an original style: for example, like the headboard of a bed with fluffed-up pillows. And every year, from November 1 to 2, the country celebrates the Day of the Dead. A grand carnival in the center of Mexico City, dancing, singing, – and the joyful faces of the merrymaking Mexicans in no way square with grief. According to belief, on this day the souls of the dead return for a time to their once-native homes. And every family strives to demonstrate with their whole appearance well-being in their affairs, peace and order in their relationships with one another. The city shops are literally bursting with miniature chocolate skeletons, coffins, and skulls, which will disappear from the shelves within a matter of hours.
What we said about Mexico above, – is one side of the coin. But there is also another, – not so pleasant.
A high crime rate
In the country's big cities, crime flourishes. The local police, as the Mexicans themselves admit, exist merely for show. In broad daylight you can be robbed or beaten. And no one will pay any attention to such a crime. And with the onset of darkness, no lady will risk appearing on the street. Alas, it is precisely at night that gangland showdowns often occur – and people die. Only one thing is comforting: in small towns and settlements life is much calmer.
No one is in any hurry
Mexicans are very slow: they can rightly be called dawdlers. Unfortunately, they always work at a snail's pace, blowing every deadline. And such an attitude toward one's duties – is considered the norm. To tell the truth, Mexicans have no concept of punctuality whatsoever. Naturally, this carelessness is perceived extremely negatively by Europeans.
Reckless drivers on the road
It also gives the impression that traffic rules, for Mexicans, – are a worthless scrap of paper. The police simply watch with their eyes as the reckless drivers, with their cars, nearly leap onto the sidewalk. A heavily drunk driver behind the wheel – is a common occurrence. As a result, Mexico has recorded the highest number of accidents in the world with various outcomes.
A dreary bureaucratic machine
The level of bureaucracy in Mexico, it seems, breaks all records. And in the eyes of ordinary Mexicans, an official is associated with an eternal evil that is impossible to eradicate. Once, the residents of one small town, driven to despair by bureaucratic red tape, even took the head of the municipality hostage.
They can't stand cats!
Curiously, Mexicans don't like cats. They seriously believe that these animals steal the human soul. That's why you won't hear a cat's meow in a single house.
