By Nathanael Hernandez
Peña de Bernal, One of the tallest Monoliths in the world. -Getty images
While many people travel to Mexico, most visitors will miss the important values that people have there. Life in Mexico may be similar when it comes to the same old working a job, going to college, eating, sleeping, getting married, violence but there's something drastically different when it comes to what life is like compared to what I have lived in America. During winter break I went to Queretaro, Ezequiel Montes in which I learned quite a few things and one of them was contentment. Not just for the good things we have in America, but also being protected from the violence in Mexico.
I don’t know what it's like to live in other states or countries, but I do know that America as a whole is entirely blessed in all aspects of life. There are tons of options and hundreds of different kinds of food to choose from. The ability to choose to have knowledge in the palm of your hand. The opportunity to choose multiple clothes or styles. I mean colleges have so many options and students can get support. I can’t say it's the same for everyone, but the opportunities are much greater compared to those in Queretaro, Ezequiel Montes.
From visiting multiple times and hearing from those who live there about what life is like, taught me something we could all learn from. Something I think us Americans, have at times been missing.
In Queretaro, people are grateful for what they have and live simply to provide for their families. Even those with homes, life isn’t that easy as people may barely have enough to buy food. One of my cousin's husbands who works as a garbage driver would in fact pick up clothes that were left in the trash to use. Another of my cousins have to at times borrow silverware from each other or don’t even have microwaves. Washing clothes isn’t as easy as tossing it into a machine. People have to wash it hand by hand or save water in order to use it for showers. I have cousins that have degrees yet don’t use them since it doesn’t pay enough.
In Ezequiel Montes, people may be poor or homeless, but they work regardless if they still can. People switch from job to job constantly living to provide for their loved ones. People are grateful for the little they get. I have cousins that wear the clothes given to them a couple years ago as if it's the only thing they have.
Eating in Queretaro has never been better, not just because it's Mexican food, but because you understand what it's like not having that many options as we Americans have. You understand to value the little you have. People there, at least from what I experienced, are content. They aren’t like here in America where people are constantly seeking to obtain more in life when they already have enough. Not to say everyone is the same, as everyone seeks to have a better life. What I am trying to say is that people here in America, people can be ungrateful for what they do have.
Empty street lined with colonial houses and old vintage cars parked at the curb in the historic center of Queretaro, Mexico - Getty Images
It's important to recognize life at times in Mexico may be scary as cartels and violence is rising. I believe my Uncle's son went missing after being involved with the cartels or with people associated with a cartel. We still don't know what happened to him till this day. During Christmas, a shootout happened which killed over 11 young people at a Christmas party in Guanajuato. I remember my mom mentioning how her friends' sons I believe or a family relative were killed because they refused to give up their business. Since 2018, over 30,000 people have been dead in Mexico each year due to kidnappings, criminal violence and including the state. The states causing war against the cartels have left people dead as well. Journalists are targeted highly since they speak on corruption and injustice. In 2022, it was the deadliest year to be a journalist in Mexico. Overall, violence is increasing in Mexico compared to those who live in America.
I think it's important to be grateful for what you have and how protected we really are compared to those in Mexico. Being thankful for what you have since there are others who would want to live here in America. Being content with what you have is something that could be lost in one's life. Often we take for granted the security we have here and our rights. We don’t know if one day we could lose it, so appreciate what you have been given.
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