Our Time Has Come
Posted by Brandyn on June 8, 2020, 11:35 am
Hi! I love going to La Manzanilla each winter as much as you do. Which is why I'm asking you today to stand in solidarity by sending economic support to our friends in La Manz but abstain from traveling for vacation this year. The Mexican people have worked their @$$es off to provide us comfort, diligently-crafted gifts beyond our most creative imaginings, love, nourishment, laughs, smiles, and healing -- even while they themselves have been suffering beyond our comprehension. We in Canada and the U.S. would pose a serious threat to their survival by going back this winter. I believe time has come to pool our money together and send economic support to our friends in and around La Manz WITHOUT putting their health at risk by physically traveling there, until we have a vaccine. These are people I love with all my heart. I have been to Templo Mayor. I have seen what we have done to them over the past 500 years. Please help change history for the better by making more loving, selfless decisions than we've made in the past. How can we accomplish this? Thank you. | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Tanny on June 8, 2020, 5:17 pm, in reply to "Our Time Has Come"
Each of us have to handle this situation in our own way, and we respect your position. HOWEVER, MY HUSBAND AND I TOTALLY DISAGREE WITH YOU. Covid-19 is a universal problem, not one created or spread solely by the US/Canada. To date, much information is unknown or not readily distributed for our intake. It is now a matter of personal decisions in the utilization of safety efforts regardless of where we are. | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by James on June 8, 2020, 6:03 pm, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"
Tanny, You must be a fan of Albert Camus. “To be happy, we must not be too concerned with others.” ― Albert Camus | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Tanny on June 8, 2020, 7:59 pm, in reply to "Our Time Has Come"
No, not at all; but we each have personal decisions to make and NEED to respect each other, even if we do not agree. Most importantly, personal behavior/responsibility is ultimate--wearing masks, practice social distancing, and washing hands. If others choose not to, then, we, as individuals, must make the personal decisions of how we, individually, will respond. This is the future of our new world. | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Evelyn on June 8, 2020, 8:31 pm, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"
I ‘hear’ both Brandyn and Tanny, and have a few of my own words to say. Many of us who may choose to return have homes in La Manz. It would be pretty hard not to want to check on them as we have invested both in them and the community over many years. Unless there is a total shut down, pandemic still raging, borders still closed, no flights available, it would be almost irresponsible not want to check on them, and our Mexican friends and families. That being said, it’s still a while before any of us probably need to worry about whether we can/ are going to go. It’s a very personal decision that we all will have to make as Tanny says, so let’s not get all worked up about it yet. If one is just a vacationer looking for a hot spot to vacation in for the winter, then perhaps they should consider not going this winter. I personally pay those locals/ friends who work for me all year round and wouldn’t be surprised to find that many homeowners do. Still, however we look at it, it will be a tough winter for the town, just like it is now with hardly anyone there. Such is life everywhere in the world at the moment, and sending money if needed is not a bad idea, just think we should give it a bit of time to see what’s what and if the pandemic does in fact have devastating second wave. My dos centavos. | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Neal on June 8, 2020, 10:01 pm, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"
I wonder what the local residents of La Manzanilla think about this. | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Brandyn on June 8, 2020, 10:13 pm, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"
White folks have a long history of going into places we feel entitled to be, bringing diseases, and wreaking havoc on Native populations. Can we just not wreak havoc on the people we love please? I understand wanting to check in on homes there. But what good does that do for the people whose land the homes are standing upon? We are nothing without our Nahua neighbors and friends. So, again, how do we best support them without invading their space while they do their best to stay alive through this wild situation? | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Daniel H on June 8, 2020, 10:19 pm, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"
I don't fit into the category of this discussion but thought I would let Brandyn know I think that whole line of thinking is illogical. | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by steven on June 9, 2020, 2:30 pm, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Stephanie on June 9, 2020, 5:35 pm, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"
...am confused...why do you not fit in Danial, why sad, Mokito, whose words I love to read by the way...and why amen Steve! | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Linda Mandala on June 9, 2020, 10:27 pm, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"
agree Daniel...very illogical and definitely not what the locals want. Linda | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Ron Smith on June 8, 2020, 10:13 pm, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"
We have used our Economic Impact Payment from the USofA (with his signature) to help local residents in need. | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Mazinka on June 8, 2020, 11:04 pm, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"
Mandatory testing for anybody traveling abroad would of course be optimum but whether that's going to happen, who knows. As far as the rest of your comment is concerned, I find it hugely patronizing, condescending and tinged with colonialist ideology. This community has survived ups and downs in the past (without the foreign contingent) and will continue to do so in its own way. A large enough safety net to accommodate any individual needs is in place. | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Robbie Boyes on June 9, 2020, 12:41 am, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"
Aww Mazinka . you have a calming effect about you.. As a snowbird with vested interest in a house and property in L. M. and over 20 years of spending most of the winters there, I am hoping with all my heart to be there again in November. BUT, the atmosphere and protocol is changing daily. Things are slowly opening up in some places, so by November there could be a more relaxed set of standards, and maybe airlines will have resumed business , etc.. If not, or if there is still a real concern to stay away, we will.Of coarse. I live in a tiny community on Vancouver Island and there has been no new cases for at least three weeks and we are all practicing social distancing. so I feel like if proper precautions are taken, I would be a low risk, but , as I said, we will see how things look in November. Also , for perspective, and I know that there are economically challenged families there, there are also a number of business owners in La Manzanilla that are a way more well off financially than I am. If I donated to those who need it, it would be nice to know that it went to those who really need it. Just thinking out loud. | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Stephanie on June 9, 2020, 8:13 am, in reply to "Our Time Has Come"
I have waited nearly 24 hours to respond to this as I was afraid to say at first how I felt about the initial message..so I slept on it! I do not know the person that posted this nor of how much time they have spent in the community of LM but have no doubt the intent to “help” is real as it is a pueblo to love for sure! However...if you were here now you would see an amazing community coming together to support those that have been impacted by this isolation both in financial and basic needs assistance. You would see innovation and new businesses thriving and homes and gardens nourished...and you would feel that although times might be tough..these folks have endured much more and prospered! Many of us who call this home year round have seen the changes, for better or worse that handing out money has caused both here and abroad! It creates that open palm mentality that “they” will prevail by just handing us money! The locals do not like this as it creates a small group just looking for handouts and diminishes their dignity and honor! Not a good situation! No doubt our,plans are just thoughts at this time as who the #### knows what is going to happen next week, next month or next season, but I would hope that those with houses are continuing to employ workers as they in turn are helping their families and the circle widens! IF...if you are able to come back support and buy locally...my 2 centavos on an early Tuesday morning! | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by CraigB on June 9, 2020, 9:51 am, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"
The situation could be greatly improved by November.
?t=4 | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Bryan on June 9, 2020, 10:21 am, in reply to "Our Time Has Come"
Brandyn, you are assuming people want a vaccine. This thread reminds me of words recently spoken to me by a wise friend... “No good deed goes unpunished”.
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Posted by Bryan on June 9, 2020, 10:26 am, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"
...also, the OP oozes with white guilt. No matter how much guilt you can muster up inside you, it will never be enough.
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Posted by Brandyn on June 9, 2020, 11:06 am, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"
@Stephanie, thank you. I did not mean to imply "handouts" or in any way diminish the dignity of the Mexican people. I do understand this aspect culturally. So maybe I failed in communicating my intent clearly. I just feel like the community there has provided us with SO MUCH already, and been so gracious and accommodating to our presence, we could perhaps abstain from putting their health at risk this year while simultaneously investing, somehow, in their ability to thrive until such time as we can be together again. @Bryan, I have no energy left for guilt. I'm here to heal, to repair, and to change the pattern of white behavior in a way that prioritizes gratitude for the Indigenous folks whose investment in my life has made my life worth living. | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by M Morgan on June 9, 2020, 11:42 am, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"
Brandyn, I live in Melaque. I have been admonished in the past at times that my comments do not apply to La Manzanilla as I do not live there. Ho Hum. I see so many of my La Manz. friends shopping here, going to the bank, catching the bus. We are joined at the hip. "....we could perhaps abstain from putting their health at risk this year...." At this moment Mexico is in a huge uptick of Corona virus. Where I live I see probably less than 3% of people wearing masks, there is no social distancing", which poses the question, ......who is putting who at risk....... To live in such a beautiful place with such a rich culture also comes at a price and part of that is the general low-level of education and that is playing out in the nonchalance among so much of the populace regarding the seriousness of the situation. Chicken Little was right. | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Brandyn on June 9, 2020, 1:48 pm, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"
@M Morgan, I hear you. The thing about risk, in this situation, is that if nobody has the virus there, wearing masks won't change anything. They will continue to not spread the virus, whether they wear masks or not. If someone travels from the U.S. or Canada though, and brings the virus to there -- whether from their country or the airplane or the bus, all the same -- then all those people who are safe right now without masks in La Manz and Melaque are suddenly at massive risk. You named my concern exactly. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Randy on June 9, 2020, 3:12 pm, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"
Pandemics are nothing new. The time honored tradition for travelers is to be quarantined after arrival. In the case of the corona virus, that means two weeks of no contact with locals. Same as we did coming home this spring. We had help with shopping to avoid contact, and once two weeks had passed, we continued to limit contacts, as we all should until such time... | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by mokita on June 9, 2020, 4:16 pm, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Mazinka on June 9, 2020, 5:58 pm, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"
What about Mexican tourism coming from Guadalajara and beyond which will certainly start happening from this Sunday on when everything opens up again? Doesn't this pose a more imminent threat of bringing the virus into our community than worrying about foreigners doing so in 6 months time? | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Jean on June 9, 2020, 6:12 pm, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Brandyn on June 9, 2020, 9:24 pm, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"
Absolutely! What remedies would you like to see to prevent that from happening? How do we collaborate with the community to support this prevention effort? | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Lynne on June 9, 2020, 10:51 pm, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"
IMHO, the only way to keep a community free of viral infections is to maintain a stable population, which is hardly possible in a tourist destination. Depending on whether you live in the northern or southern hemisphere, where the seasons are reversed, people from cold climates who travel to warm ones will inevitably bring along the latest influenza strain and infect at least some of the locals. Here in La Manz, the same folks who want to paint over the "H" in the Los Ingenios sign call it the "Canadian Suitcase Flu." Suitcases open; germs fly out. (Nevertheless, we love you.) Seriously, today I was thinking about Cat Central, where an angel named Maria took in every stray or abandoned animal for many years. When she died on March 1, 2014 and Julie of Ciscos had all of the animals sterilized, we told her elderly, widowed husband that we would care for his 27 "pets" if he agreed not to allow any more animals to live on his sprawling property. He did. In the six years, three months, and nine days that I've been feeding those critters, there have been accidents and disappearances, but not a single communicable disease has ever been transmitted between any dog or cat. This is just an example and, perhaps, during a pandemic, a bit of wishful thinking. | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Ani Mac on June 10, 2020, 11:25 am, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"
It's very simple as the world calls it quarantine , you go north you do it you go back south you do it! No reason not to support locals and yourself all season. | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Evelyn on June 10, 2020, 5:04 pm, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Mateo on June 11, 2020, 9:38 pm, in reply to "Our Time Has Come"
I hope everyone who normally travels to La Manzanilla each year will come back soon. The concern from my Mexican friends does not seem to be people importing the virus, but people staying away. | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Geronimo on June 16, 2020, 1:36 pm, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"
Hi Mateo. I appreciate the local Mexican citizens' perspective, as well as that of the expat community. We plan to return to La Manzanilla, in December, and still do. However, we're keeping a careful watch on the Covid 19 situation, both in the US and the LM area. If we come, we plan to make sure that we're virus free and that once we arrive (circumstances allowing), we take proper precautions, like wearing masks on the street and practicing social distancing when going to local cafes, restaurants, and stores, and frequent hand washing, as we do in our own community. | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Red on June 16, 2020, 4:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"
I have to agree mateo, not a one of the locals wants to starve. National vacation travelers are the current main risk, not snowbirds. Almost no one here is wearing a mask, some stores still have gel and practice social distancing, others, not so much. Mexicans can hardly afford to stay home for a month, let alone three. Now that cerveza is back in production though, you folks go ahead and stay up north, we are all doing just fine down here. rojo | ------------Re: Our Time Has Come
Posted by Rebeccah on June 19, 2020, 12:44 pm, in reply to "Re: Our Time Has Come"
Glad to hear you're doing fine, Red! I am still hoping to come down from November through February, partly for myself, and partly to help the local economy. Fingers crossed. I think the worst thing would be if people starting turning on each other. Be Kind!!! | ------------
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