USA DUers, how well do you know your neighbors to the SOUTH? MEXICO!

[radwriter0555]

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!!!!!!

[carolinayellowdog]

1. To know Mexicans is to love them

Have been in about half the states (almost every state north of Guadalajara, plus a couple in Yucatan) and found a warm welcome everywhere. But thanks to * now I wonder about traveling anywhere outside the US, even Mexico and Canada.

[Renew Deal]

2. Oh yeah. The Tequila will be flowing tonight.

I feel bad for my liver. I am not Mexican, but it's a good excuse to throw down some Cuervo.

[Red_Viking]

3. En Español, por favor

:P

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

I don't know how to add the upside-down exclamation point at the beginning, which is grammatically correct...

Yo soy de Austin. Tenemos muchos fiestas aqui.

OK, that's the limit of my Spanglish, unless you want me to ask for the bathroom or my car keys.

RV

[Fenris]

4. My brother's wife is a Mexican

and exposure to her family has made me jealous that I am not. Such polite and warm people! Completely unlike USers.

[candy]

10. Who have you been hanging out with?

I've met lots of polite,warm US citizens.

[GOPisEvil]

5. Do you know what Cinco de Mayo means?

In the spring of 1862, after receiving word that French forces were marching on Mexico City, President Benito Juarez (a native Zapotec Indian) sent troops to head them off. It was on May 5th, in the little town of Puebla, that a small, ragged, untrained, and under-equipped army led by General Ignacio Zaragoza met and defeated the invading French, a well-armed, professional army led by Napoleon III. Though the battle was only a temporary setback for Napoleon, it proved to be the catalyst which provided the Mexicans with confidence enough to persevere and ultimately triumph over the French in 1867. The French defeat must have surprised Napoleon III, the ruler of France, who was attempting to annex Mexico by taking advantage of the destruction and bankruptcy that existed there. Mexico's condition at that time was the result of the War of Reform (1858-1860), an internal political, economic, and religious struggle. At the end of this civil war, Mexico owed more than $80,000,000 to foreigners. France invaded Mexico, using debt collection as an excuse. Napoleon III's true motivation, however, was total control of Mexico and its potential wealth.

More: http://www.umkc.edu/imc/cincomay.htm

[Renew Deal]

8. It means lots of tequila and Mexican women.

Well, at least there will be tequila.

[radwriter0555]

6. Did you know that Copper Canyon is BIGGER than the Grand Canyon?

http://ojinaga.com/coppercanyon/
http://www.go2coppercanyon.com/


http://www.canyontravel.com/

[BigBigBear]

7. We go to Sonora every year,

rent a house on the beach. I like the Mexican people very much.

I'm not sure how much they really celebrate Cinco de Mayo down there - it's a big deal in Denver, but I thought it was a relatively minor deal in Mexico - Dios de la Muerta and Catholic holidays being a bigger deal. Dunno - never been down there this time of year.

[radwriter0555]

9. I'm buying my house in Playa del Carmen this summer...

arranging the $$ STUFF right now....

[Maestro]

13. God I envy you.

I was there in the late eighties and to this day I have never seen a prettier sunset than the ones in Playa del Carmen. I would love to own a summer home there.

[Ernesto]

11. I was hanging out in Zihuatanejo

when the 1st gulf war began. It was on every TV set. The people were very tense. Mexicans are scared shitless of their northern nieghbor's proclivity to use military force on weaker countries.

[Maestro]

12. I know Mexico very, very well

My kids are a quarter Mexican. My wife is half Mexican and my grandfather was born and raised there until he was nine. Then his family was kicked out of Piedras Negras, Mexico by the Villistas so they moved to Eagle Pass, TX just across the border. I have been to Mexico numerous times and the people are wonderful!!!!! However, I am very upset with the soicetal problems occurring now in Mexico. The narcos have taken over the border towns. It's horrible!

[felonious thunk]

14. We've been meaning to get to know them better

but it's hard finding the time. They invited us to a barbeque a couple weekends ago, but Nellie had to help her mom with some stuff. You know it's always something. One of these days we'll get over there. I love the landscaping they had done.