Chronicles of Mexico 1962April 6

Chronicles of Mexico 1962

Excerpts from a teenager’s diary/scrapbook

(The full names of locations have been added to the Transcript of the scrapbook for clarification.)

Friday, April 6, 1962

Fridays are market days in Mitla (UNESCO World Heritage Site, Prehistoric Caves of Yagul and Mitla in the Central Valley of Oaxaca), but on the way there, we stopped in a small town to look at pottery and woven material.  In the Casa Buena, I bought a tan and black pitcher for Nana. Before going much further, we stopped to watch some pottery being made. It was here I purchased candlestick holders for Mother.

Once at the market, Bob and I walked around. He was making some very interesting observations, until we came to a pineapple stand. There, he bargained at 4 peso pineapple down to 4 pesos!. Because the woman rattled out Spanish so fast, he got confused and decided to take the pineapple at the first price.  Then, when he came to a flower stand, he bought me a huge bouquet of purple and white Zinnias for 3 pesos.

When we got back to Casa Bueno, Bob and I were thirsty, so, we went up to the bar and the bartender asked:  Que quieran?  Martinni? Bacardi?”  The drinking age is 16.

We just smile and said: Manzanta, por favor.” This is carbonated apple cider, which is very tasty. He winked and served it to us.

That afternoon, we   went for a swim and into the Oaxaca market, where I bargained for a beautiful, large  knife for Sandy; 21 pesos to 13 pesos which was $1.04.

It really turns your stomach to see these cute little kids with a head full of lice and to think they eat the moldy food we saw, but, Esta es la vida de ellos; although they are very proud of their heritage.

Back at the hotel, we were again thirsty, so, we sat at the bar and the same bartender as before asked, Agua? Manzanita? Rather teasingly.

We smiled and said no. Quieramos Bicardi, por favor.

The bartender smiled and said, “Si. Si. Bacardi: Bob ordered it, but we both drank it with two straws.  When it was done, I noticed there was a little bit of it left in the shaker. I pointed to it and inquired if I could finish it. At this, he shook his head emphatically yes and handed me a long straw.

That evening, after dinner, we went back into Oaxaca to listen to the mariachi bands. We were late and only heard one song, so, we just cased the town, witnessed Miss Bog purchase her fifth fish serape, and then went back to the hotel.

At the hotel, Barb and Marla, Bob, and I went to Bob’s room to demolish the pineapple.