Charles and Josh have gone to Puerto Escondido and Tony and I have hit the road again. First we made it Tehuantepec, where few tourists venture. We went to the market and each stall holder called to the next "Hey look at that woman". It seems they have never seen a gaintess before. Many of the old women and some of the young wear the traditional dress of a full length huge skirt with a velvet embroidered top, they tie ribbons in their hair and look really great. Of course, they are lucky to be over 5ft, so I looked like a freak. The means of transport, which we did use, is a three wheeled motor bike with a tray on the back. You just stand on the tray and off you go. What a good idea!
It happened that our hotel was opposite the university of foreign languages. I happened upon two young Mexican women about to sit an English exam. We spent the evening together and they told us a little about their lives. It is hard to grasp. They were beautiful and confident, in no real hurry, and under to real pressure to acquire boyfriends or husbands. Quite independent in thought and behaviour in many ways. They enjoyed a joke and were sophisticated in so many ways. But, like all Mexicans who want a tertiary education, they have to pay full fees. This means that they are supported by their families and thus are obliged to their families. They both spoke with great admiration and reverence of their parents, their desire to do the right thing, their sense of a really strong tie. They also spoke of the desire to live their own lives and make something of themselves. It was a delightful evening and a little insight into the importance of the family.
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