Perspective....

I'm excited to be in Mexico (again) on Día de los Reyes Magos- or as we know it "The Feast of the Ephiphany"- the day the 3 kings paid homage to the infant Jesus. Día de los Reyes is something unique to the Spanish-speaking world. It's the day when children wake to see what presents the Three Kings have left for them. It's a magical time to be in Mexico. It is exciting for me to see and experience different traditions. It is my goal to get to experience many holidays in different countries. I think that you really get insight into the culture to see how holidays are celebrated, what kind of food is eaten, what kind of gifts are given etc. Speaking of experience and perspective....I was thinking today about two quotes from two different leaders regarding U.S. - Mexico relationship General Porfirio Diaz- Poor Mexico, so far from God, so near the United States John F. Kennedy- Geography made us neighbors, tradition has made us friends I think if you were to ask the average U.S. and Mexican citizen, you would probably get similar responses to this. I always try to remember that Mexico is a separate country with its own rich traditions and culture and not an extension of the U.S. I would be willing to bet that my way of interacting with the locals will be a bit different as I keep the perspective of Diaz in the back of my mind this week.