Mexican Immersion

I totally recommend traveling and experiencing other countries...not just immersing yourself in a resort pool at 86 degrees...but actually immersing yourself in a pool of culture... at 98.6. So while in Cabo...PaulA and I decided we would tear ourselves away from the swim-up bar and do just that.

First of all we would have to change our names so we would fit in. The names "PaulA" and "Kat" SCREAM AMERICANS ON VACATION...so we decided to go with Paulo and Gato. That way we would blend in with Maria, Alberto, Senor Frog, and Frito Bandito. We were determined to be igncognito and not stick out like a couple of gringos. We also decided losing our black socks and fanny packs would help.

Seeing it was Sunday and too early to be drinking margaritas...we decided to go to church...a spanish mass. Not to be confused with a spanish moss. A spanish moss is much longer than a spanish mass...which is generally an hour...like in the U.S.

The best thing about attending a catholic mass is that it is always the same, no matter where you are. You could be in South L.A. or South America...same/same. So even if you can't follow the language...you can follow the mass. Plus you always know that the basket being passed around means..."Fork it over, Amigo." Dinero...mula. Money talks in every language.

I found that the few years I took of high school spanish actually paid off. I just needed the priest to talk slower...so I could comprehend faster. I knew "Dios" was God, "Jesus" was Jesus, and "Amen" was Amen. There was a bilingual mass we could have gone to, but we were not interested in a mass for gringos. We were Paulo and Gato...a couple of Mexicans. GuacamOLE.

Anywhoooo....

One thing that takes some getting used to is seeing skeletons. I know a few of us have them rattling around the closet....but these skeletons are out in the open. They are seen everywhere...art, sculpture, figurines, paintings.

In the Mexican culture skeletons are not considered to be spooky and scary. They stem from their catholic heritage. Death is seen as another stage following life and is celebrated. I think I prefer to celebrate life with a birthday and balloons instead of a Day of the Dead and bones. (Note to self: A total Mexican immersion might be harder than I thought. Where's the hotel pool?)

Skeleton figurines of all sizes and materials (clay, plaster, paper machete) fill the shops.. They're dressed in different costumes from everyday situations and occupations. I've seen a bride, mariachi player, Michael Jackson, cupcake chef...and my favorite...the pole dancer. I was looking for an insurance man skeleton to give to Paulo. I admit...I was feeling left out...I couldn't find a blogger skeleton. Maybe Mexicans don't want to waste their time blogging when they have a siesta to get to . Adios Amigos.

gatoOUT
ps. conejo, conejo, conejo....and for you gringos...
rabbit, rabbit, rabbit