FORUMS & LETTERS

Editor,

My American mother went into labor in San Miguel de Allende 25 ago today. She still lives in the house where I was born. Growing up in San Miguel, I know very well the various trends that shape my hometown alluded to in Jim Atkinson's article, “The New Old Mexico.” ( http://www.nytimes.com/2008
/11/21/greathomesanddestinations/21expat
.html?_r=1&emc=eta1 )  My grandmother had visited in the early seventies, studying art and Spanish at Instituto Allende. My mother studied there in 1977 and met my father, the owner of a long-gone bar called La Hoja Seca. I know better than to idealize that time, when corruption and lawlessness gave it an edge that is all but gone today in the scrubbed-clean streets of the World Heritage site, in the shadow of a Disney-pink version of the Parroquia.

Beyond the Starbucks and the mall, which are extremely popular with Mexicans and Americans alike, the real challenge posed by the newcomers is very basic. Culture and water. No longer is the reigning mentality of the expatriates that of Americans and Canadians from 30, or even 15 years ago intent on moving to Mexico. Now the expectations are all about the comforts of gated community life with cheaper Mexican medications and maids asked to learn English. More troubling still, San Miguel is in an extremely arid region and the water used for its ever-expanding golf courses and manicured lawns will soon be the largest point of contention between newcomers and their predominantly Mexican neighbors. As a son of San Miguel, as an American and as a Mexican, these troubling realities make it unlikely I will ever return to the city that 25 years ago greeted my birth.

Richard A. Contreras
Tulum, Mexico

Dear Editor,

As further proof that the most amazing people show up in San Miguel, a quiet, unassuming botanist by the name of Walter Meagher moved here seven years ago and became devoted to the study of our local natural treasure, the botanical garden of El Charco.

A testament to his knowledge and the beauty of these gardens was recently published as Wild & Wonderful Nature…in El Charco (www.wildwonderfulnature.com/) with spectacular color photos by Wayne Colony. Walter is able to convey his love and knowledge of nature in a style that is easy to read while very informative; the color photos by Wayne make each page suitable for framing.

On behalf of the board of directors of El Charco and Audubon of Mexico I would like to publicly thank Walter and Wayne for their generous donation of 100 of these books to our organizations.

The current financial crisis has impacted El Charco by a reduction in attendance and membership and this donation will be a big help.

You can purchase Wild & Wonderful at the Charco and the Biblioteca’s La Tienda.

Robert Haas

Dear Editor,

Surely every time you pass by old people begging in the street, you show your love, compassion and concern. Your heart is moved toward those who are oppressed by poverty, experiencing the harsh reality of not knowing where their next meal is coming from.

So Others May Eat (SOME) has been in action for 20 years reaching out to these grandparents. Aside from the nutritious sit-down comida, served with dignity, we feed them spiritual knowledge, alluring them to break the cycle of poverty in their minds and have joy in their hearts. Aside from their hot meal, a liter of milk, a can of refried beans, bread and fruit is their contribution to the family with whom they live. Unfortunately, those families are often struggling themselves to survive.

Once a year a medical team from the US gives the grandparents eye and body check-ups. Out of 135, only four of them have been diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes. The doctors also distribute reading glasses, sunglasses and medicine.

This Christmas season, they will receive sweaters, blankets, mittens and socks and other assorted gifts, courtesy of the veterans group, house church, and the preschool children whom we allowed to visit to learn the spirit of giving, respect, and compassion to the elderly.

With the dramatic changes taking place in the economy, The Spa, the major contributor of this project, was forced to close one of their two locations and consolidate their business at Recreo 38, keeping all the 17 employees, mostly single mothers, but leaving no option except to end the Thursday food distribution. We also may not be able to continue the Wednesday feeding program without considerable outside help.

Aside from the food, we have a ministry of visiting and praying for the sick and of organizing their "circle of friends" to be at their bedside to say good-bye in their final hour, and a benevolence fund earmarked to help a little with expenses when the time comes.

In these tough times, people are bonding together to help the needy. Let this time be marked by personal and community effort, witnessing a fraternity with expression of compassion, empathy, and love for these less fortunate grandparents and cast our gaze on those eternal matters of generosity, kindness and mercy to all of them as we extend to others that which has been given to us. Join and help us continue to fight the battle against hunger, the feeling of isolation, loneliness and neglect.

May you truly believe in this noble charity and feel good about donating toward a cause beyond what you can manage in your daily life, a cause combined with your invaluable contribution to support, and continue the work being done successfully and with love for two decades. This is the grandparents’ only social hour with friends and a break for them to leave their homes. Please help us continue their joy of fellowship and give these grandparents a chance to socialize with their closest friends every Wednesday in the back courtyard at the Parroquia.

For US income tax deductible, make check to: Mission Bases, PO Box 2279, Big Springs, Texas 79721 (earmarked elderly feeding program) or send check to: Recreo 38, San Miguel. 

Blessings,
Antonette and Joe Lim, Founders