I
love Mexico as much as I love Malaysia
When I saw an advertisement on Cultural Exchange
Programme to visit Mexico, there was an instant
attraction on my part to go.
Apart from the long 22 hours flight time and 18
hours of endless transit & waiting time, everything
else about the trip was pure bliss thereafter (at
least for me!). We were tired when finally our UA
flight touched down at Mexico City airport and were
so excited upon seeing Martha, Javier
and Javier Junior waiting for us. They
recognised us instantly!
The first thing I noticed when the plane was landing
was the endless stretch of lights that was visible.
I realised later that the congestion with many cars,
buildings, residential areas and people are all
due to the fact that the population of Mexico City
is 23 million !! (1 million more than the whole
of Malaysian population!) If I used to think Malaysians
are driving fast, I got to see the many cars in
Mexico City going even faster. But what amazed and
impressed me most was I did not see one car accident
on the road in my 11 days in Mexico City. It goes
to show how alert and careful these drivers are
compared to us here! I couldn't understand the route
system here though, it appeared to be very complicated
for me but I had the privilege of sitting beside
the pro: Ms. Olimpia (my host) who is extremely
well versed with all the roads in and out of Mexico
City. To the extend she is nicknamed "'the ex- taxi
driver"' by some of Mexico members!!!
I'm thoroughly impressed with the historical sites
and how well they were preserved and maintained
after all these years. The Archeological Museum
is full of artifacts that our one-day trip enabled
us to finish barely 60% of the displays. The Teothehuacan
pyramids are majestic and beautiful. Most of the
old churches are ancient and I was dumbfounded to
see how breathtakingly beautiful the carvings are.
Our boat ride in Tochimilco canal was such a relaxing
experience. Flowers grown at both side of the canal
beautified the site and the canal has a long history
to it as related by the boatman. We were so excited
when another boat with Mariachi musician passed
by. Their fee per song was a bit too exorbitant
that we pass.
One other thing that is very impressive about Mexico
is to see the culture of Mexico still alive everywhere.
There are so many talented musicians who could still
play all the traditional music, people who are still
dancing and singing to the tune of pure Mexican
music and dances like Salsa, Samba, Rumba and many
others. (I can't remember all the names I was introduced
to).
The activity time was next which we had most fun.
Kids were excited over the dances and games we played.
We exchanged ideas, we sang and learned languages
of many countries. Suib and I had the pleasure of
telling everyone here of Malaysian culture, Malaysia
lifestyle and taught a few Malay, Chinese and Indian
word!
It's beautiful to see how far apart we are geograhically
and yet close in many language similarities. How
wonderful it feels to accept one another's differences
as unique and embrace it with amazement. For me,
that is what Mexican is all about: we are one big
family in homestay program, ultimately. I'm looking
forward to having Mexican members here in Malaysia
so that we could share Malaysian friendliness and
hospitality to all the wonderful people of Mexico.
I enjoyed every moment I spent in Mexico. I'm glad
that I stick to my decision to go there and did
not allow any negative views of people whom I tried
to seek input prior to the visit shook my stand.
I'm proud to say that I love Mexico as much as I
love Malaysia and I'll be going there again.
by Marry Voon, Executive
Penang |
