I feel like I’ve been on a bit of a blogging vacation. That’s ok, though. I’m entitled. But why have I been so quiet lately? Mainly because I’ve been waiting to hear what becomes of the Mexico Today program that I’ve been contributing to since June. Our contracts expired at the end of the year and we’ve been told that we should just be patient for now as planning and negotiations are still ongoing. That’s fine, I understand… but it makes me a bit laid back and relaxed without a deadline looming. I so hope the program continues, keep your fingers crossed that it does, ok?
I have made such good friends and learned so much through this project. I’ve learned that there are countless people who love México and are passionate about challenging the biases we read in the mainstream press. The men and women who are my fellow ambassadors have greatly enhanced my knowledge of social media with one of the main lessons learned that sharing each others blog posts, tweets, and status updates enhances the reach for all of us. And enhancing the reach is important when you’re trying to tell a story that is charming and poignant rather than alarmist and bloody.
I’ll never understand how people can be so bigoted and closed-minded – and share their feelings openly online about it, too. Have you ever read the comments on an online article about Mexico? So many are filled with venom, anger, and generalities. I’m not just sad that they are saying hurtful things about México and the people who live here, but they seem to not realize that they are showing the world how ugly and small minded they are.
I’ll get off my soapbox now, and for the time being you can catch me out walking, or knitting my endless table mat or reading on my Kindle while petting a dog. Life is good and I am enjoying myself. I hope you are, too!/p>
At the top of this post is a picture of my endless table mat that’s nowhere near ready to be felted. I’d better get back to it now!
Steve Cotton
January 19, 2012Please don’t get off of your soap box. I have been shocked at the coverage in the Canadian press of the murder of a Canadian tourist in Melaque earlier this month. The death was a tragedy. The press then added a layer of hysteria that was, at best, a travesty. The fact that several long-time visitors to Melaque talked about pulling up stakes was one of the saddest aspects of the tale.
Zoe Jussel
January 20, 2012People who think “sheeplike” will likely never change and rags like BorderlandBeat perpetuate that type of thought with sensationalism to the max. Every time I see someone quote that rag, I immediately put fingers to keys, but then have to erase it. Makes ME venomous and I become like the perpetrators. Like you, so many of us love this country for all her warts and imperfections. As that quote goes I posted recently, “Love of one’s country is understandable, but why does it have to stop at a border”.
Susan
January 20, 2012I’m rooting for you and the rest of the Mexico Today group! Viva Mexico Today!!! Your post reminds me of my favorite travel quote, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain
PS – That table mat is going to be gorgeous – love the color scheme!
Contessa
January 20, 2012Love the table mat design but maybe you should just a smaller table!!
Steve, the RVing community is only a small part of tourism in Mexico yet has been very affected the past few years by all the media hype. We hope that next year will be a better year for all of mexico.
The People's Guide to Mexico
January 20, 2012Keep up the good work. We like what you’re doing here, and we are with you in the struggle to dampen the hysteria and offer a different perspective of life in Mexico: http://blog.thepeoplesguidetomexico.com/2012/01/20/life-goes-on/
Nancy
January 20, 2012Steve, No worries, I will keep it up for sure. Plus I have the other website http://www.thetruthaboutmexico.com too.
Zoe, You’re right about Borderland Beat but people write the most awful things on articles everywhere.
Susan, Thanks for the positive wishes, I hope MT continues, too. I love the quote, too. Mark Twain was such an amazing guy.
Contessa, Unfortunately, the table stays so I keep on knitting!
People’s Guide, So nice to see you here and thank you for your atta boy. Very flattering to have you read my blog – The People’s Guide was an important book to us when we were in the dreaming stage.