Mexico Reflections

I've been thinking more about our experiences in Mexico and feel so fortunate for the opportunity to get out of comfy subburbia to emerse ourselves in another culture.  We did stay in comfortable accommodations, but we were not beached whales tied to a lavish American resort.  We rented a car and drove many miles off the beaten path of typical tourists.  We bought groceries where the locals shopped......Chedraui.......what a fun experience.  We much preferred it over the local Wal-Mart!  The most notable part of our trip was how friendly and welcoming the people of the Yucatan were towards us.  I know some of them were simply after our money, but generally, I think they were authentic.  We attended church twice while in Mexico and in both cases felt a welcoming feeling of acceptance with smiles and warm greetings.  It was incredibly comforting because we don't always feel this in our country. We especially noticed this hospitality in the capital city of Merida.  We felt welcomed walking around the city......and safe.  Before we began our trip, many friends and family expressed concern for our safety in Mexico.  Of course, there are risks traveling in a foreign country where the medical care is not what we are accustomed to and kidnapping and corruption is a real possibility.  However, we were not visiting a border town where most of the crime occurs and is dramatized in the US media.  We felt safe.  The thing I worried about the most was someone needing medical attention for trauma or illness.....espeically the kids.  Thankfully, we did not have to worry about such an event.   Yes, Mexico is different from our homeland and sometimes those differences create fears and keep people from exploring new places.   I'm glad our children had these experiences at their young ages.  We hope this teaches them to open their minds and hearts to new experiences, foreign lands and people with different customs.