Poverty in Mexico
I recently witnessed poverty in Mexico first-hand.
I just spent a week in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. I didn’t know it during my visit, but 44 million Mexicans are living in poverty. More than 14 million of them live in conditions that can be described as extreme poverty: their children have to work in the streets in order to supplement the family’s income.
The book Five Families: Mexican Case Studies in the Culture of Poverty
The tiny Mexican house had no finished exterior. Just bare bricks and mortar. At first I thought it was still under construction, but when a woman and a little girl stepped out, I realized that a family was living there. Through the open door, I could see a white plastic table and a couple of plastic chairs. The yard consisted of dirt and a few cacti.
We ended up in the small, dusty Mexican town on Thursday, when we took the wrong exit off the highway on our way from the airport to Cabo San Lucas. Instead of going straight to the posh resort, we witnessed poverty in Mexico.
We also witnessed death. On the highway, numerous roadside signs implored drivers to fasten their seat belts, keep their distance, drive carefully and avoid driving when tired.
As far as I could tell, there was no explicit warning about drunk driving, but the roadside was littered with empty beer bottles. It was also marked with crosses: simple, wooden crosses adorned with flowers. Later that day, the hotel concierge explained that the crosses were placed by grieving family members in memory of people who died in car accidents.
Many of these roadside crosses are lovingly maintained by family members for many years: the cross in the photo is nearly ten years old.
We saw at least 20 crosses during a 10-kilometer (6 mile) drive. This is hardly surprising. Those very long and scary ten kilometers on a Mexican highway taught us that many local drivers drive as though they have a death wish. Add to that the bad roads, no lighting and drunk driving, and the results are devastating.
Once we realized our mistake, we turned back and headed to Cabo San Lucas. It was a good weekend, filled with beautiful images of the picturesque beach, the carefree laughter of children playing in the pool, huge margaritas, great seafood and some serious pampering at the resort’s spa. But I couldn’t shake off the nagging guilt. My thoughts often wandered to the little brick house and to those awful roadside crosses. The contrast between the posh, well-manicured resort and the tough reality of the locals is absolutely mind blowing.
Sources: El Financiero, Mexico Facts.
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artiphys responds:
Posted: April 27th, 2008 at 11:38 pm →
My sister-in-law got married at a strange, off-the-chart place in rural west coast Mexico. We drove through a town with a main dirt road and donkeys. I saw one old car, on blocks.
In the whole immigration debate, what I find strange is that we have a bordering country that is so unbelievably destitute, and yet there seems to be zero political will to do anything at all about it. Think of how Germany absorbed East Germany after the cold war. We helped tear down that wall, and now we build our own? Why are we obsessed with the quixotic idea of “Bringing democracy to the Middle East” when we have such a pointlessly corrupt and ultimately cruel and undemocratic country in our backyard? They’re an ally even, it’s not like Hugo Chavez runs the place. We have influence and impact there, but we do absolutely nothing. I can’t help wondering if we’d care a bit more if they weren’t so, well, brown and non-english speaking.
Ach, here I go sounding like another NPR liberal. I don’t want to redistribute wealth; I want to use democracy and capitalism to make things right. But, when there’s so much cynical BS being thrown around (the hypocrisy of decrying illegal immigration while in reality accepting it as a source of cheap labor) — it’s hard to stay on my libertarian talking points.
Bonnie responds:
Posted: April 27th, 2008 at 11:43 pm →
Wow. That is amazing. The whole thing. The photos. The story. The contrast. Makes me think !
Thanks.
Pinay Jade responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 12:42 am →
Our world is definitely full of contrast. The view on the road was sad,
But hey we cannot prevent ourself from living our life. Let’s enjoy it to the fullest while we have it.
phyllis responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 4:50 am →
i have always wondered what the people who live so close to resorts like that think about it. do they notice the stark contrast between their lives and those of the resort guests? or does having the resort so nearby mean that they have a roof on their small house, instead of open sky? i don’t deny that what you saw was poverty, but perhaps there are still blessings there too. the resort may have been a shot in the arm to the area, providing work… perhaps?
Sassy responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 5:50 am →
I just spoke about this very subject on my blog under “My Sermon”. It is amazing how careless people can be in their vehicles, until a life is lost.
The fact that you are thankful for what you DO have is awesome. Thank you for sharing!
carrie responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 5:57 am →
Unfortunately, you don’t always have to travel to another country to see that. Living in the LA area, I have found myself in “not very good” areas where you almost cannot believe that people can live in those conditions – in America! The contrast between that and Beverly Hills, even my street (which is a far cry from BH, but still), it is so sobering. When I finally get home to my great house, full of food, clothing for all, and many, many unnecessary diversions – I feel so lucky and blessed, but so guilty at the same time. It isn’t like we work harder than those in poverty, in fact many of them work much, much harder.
Thanks for the reminder to be charitable – great post and photos!
Brittany responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 6:37 am →
That last photo is amazing!!! Great Best shots!
megan responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 7:34 am →
i agree that it’s a fine line to walk between supporting the locals through tourism and continuing a cycle of poverty. Nice post and photos!
Jaimee responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 8:33 am →
Oh, that last photo makes me want to be there! And, there certainly is a stark contrast down there…it is a good reminder for us all of the realities of other parts of the world!
susiej responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 8:40 am →
Your pictures are telling an amazing story. Thanks.
Golightly responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 9:01 am →
I actually worked in Mexico helping building houses for the poor. I was so blessed by these people that had nothing. They were loving, caring and thankful. Before they had the brick shelter over their head (not even a cement floor – still dirt) they had mud huts or tents to live in. It is very sobering.
We do have so much in the US.
I’m glad you had a nice vacation, too. What a beautiful photo. What contrast.
kim responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 9:06 am →
Such a bitter-sweet post!!! Love that last beautiful photo, but you’re right, we often head straight to the resort and never see the conditions the locals live in…. it’s quite an eye-opener.
JEMi | Tips for Life, Love, You responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 10:46 am →
*sigh* that contrast is stark indeed. I understand how you feel – the nagging guilt. I sometimes feel that here in NY..
But one of the commenters (Phyllis) made a great point. Perhaps blessings have come with this resort..
Nevertheless, what a beautiful view!
Chris responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 10:51 am →
I have been to Mexico. It is actually no different than the Philippines. It’s a country of contrast. You have the miracle of nature framed with the dehumanizing affects of poverty and degradation.
Jan responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 11:04 am →
One thing to consider, when you’re considering the contrast. Most, if not all, of the employees of the resort you stayed at, go home to places like you encountered. The resort gives hope and jobs to people who really need it. In my experience, Mexicans are honest, hard workers, they just need a place to work. Too bad their government doesn’t do a better job for them.
MomGrind responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 11:14 am →
@ artiphys: “I can’t help wondering if we’d care a bit more if they weren’t so, well, brown and non-english speaking.”. Possibly. This could also explain similar situations that are going on in the U.S., as some of the other readers pointed out.
@ Pinay Jade: true… but the guilt is still there.
@ phyllis: the resorts do bring them work and shelter. But I can’t imagine it’s easy for the resort employees to see all that excess and compare it to what their own families have.
@ Sassy: when you see poverty, it does make you grateful for what you do have.
@ carrie: “It isn’t like we work harder than those in poverty, in fact many of them work much, much harder.” This is one of the things that bother me most of all – that they are in such a dead-end situation, and even hard work can’t get them out of that.
@ Golightly: it’s amazing to think that those brick houses are an improvement over previous, even worse, conditions. “They were loving, caring and thankful.” – they are. I was uncomfortable at first dealing with the hotel staff. But they really are warm, generous, and caring.
@ JEMi: it does make it easier to think that these resorts are actually a good thing for the locals.
@ Chris: I didn’t realize it was liked that in the Philippines too. Thank you for sharing.
@ Jan: “In my experience, Mexicans are honest, hard workers, they just need a place to work. Too bad their government doesn’t do a better job for them.” I couldn’t agree more.
Christine responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 11:17 am →
Wow! What a contrast! I read about a woman who went oversees to visit a child she was sponsoring through Compassion International. She detailed her story with pictures. It was so sad and eye-opening to see how some people live… some children barely have even 4 walls. Makes us realize how much we take for granted! Great photos!
Jen responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 11:56 am →
Wow. Those photos are amazing. And the crosses – heartbreaking.
emily responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 12:32 pm →
Thanks for sharing both your story, and your photos. It is amazing how much we take for granted sometimes, and hopefully your words, photos, and memories will help to remind us that there are many out there who are so much less fortunate than we are.
Ann responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 1:54 pm →
Thanks Vered.
As a friend and I commented the other day: we’re living in a cocoon within a cocoon. Your photo is a sobering reminder of that – and we should remember that we don’t have to leave the country to find poverty and want.
Crunchy Domestic Goddess responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 2:06 pm →
thanks for sharing your photos. what a huge contrast btwn the two worlds.
Amanda - The Mom Crowd responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 3:46 pm →
I am with GoLightly, the people there are so welcoming and happy. I got to visit a few families in a Colonia with homes much like the one in the photo. When I went in I was surprised by how neat and tidy their little home was. They had the basics and they were happy. I think if anyone ever has a chance to go and serve the poor on a trip or at a day event they should do it! The blessing goes both ways between you and them.
MomGrind responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 8:30 pm →
@ Christine: “Makes us realize how much we take for granted”. Exactly.
@ emily: yes, we are very fortunate, and should be grateful for what we have.
@ Ann: “we’re living in a cocoon within a cocoon”. So true!
@ Amanda: I wanted to ask them if I could go inside and maybe take pictures, but I was worried about invading their privacy. It’s comforting to know that they are doing the best they can with what they have.
Shilpan | successsoul.com responds:
Posted: April 29th, 2008 at 6:46 pm →
Vered -
This is my favorite post. You’ve shown us all that here in the states we are lucky to have life that most world is envious about. Instead of self pity, we should celebrate life and be grateful to have such a blessed life on this beautiful earth. Thanks for sharing this story.
Shilpan
nottryingforaboy responds:
Posted: May 12th, 2008 at 9:05 am →
It is heartbreaking to witness. We’ve been on numerous trips (Mexico, Dominican Republic and various other islands) where we witnessed houses and villages like that on the way to our posh resort. It makes me feel horrible. I bring extra cash to tip them – everyone from the bartender to the maids to the guy sweeping up the resort paths. My sister gave $100 tip to the lady in charge of the kids’ club at the end of our visit and she was in tears. She’d never received a tip like that before. And, yes, I’ll agree that the resorts do bring in income for the locals, but the hotels don’t pay them all that much. They don’t need to. That’s why I try to do something extra.
MomGrind responds:
Posted: May 12th, 2008 at 9:17 am →
Thanks, Shilpan.
@ nottryingforaboy: I think it’s great that you do that. We thought about going back to Cabo next year, but frankly, I am thinking that we will stick with places that don’t make me feel so guilty, such as Hawaii. (Even if that would be a burying-my-head-in-the-sand type of thing).
kathleen responds:
Posted: March 26th, 2009 at 5:49 am →
cool resorts
lisho responds:
Posted: April 4th, 2009 at 5:28 pm →
What do you about Mexico?
You only stay here for a week.
I belive in the freedom of speak about whatever you want
But I think too that if you going to talk about a culture
or a city, a country, about a religion, you must live like their do.
I don’t talk about americans or cubans ’cause I never live like.
I love you blog. But I hate this post.
MomGrind responds:
Posted: April 4th, 2009 at 9:37 pm →
@ lisho: You’re making a good point. I know very little about Mexico. All I know is what I saw during my stay.
Cabo San Lucas | responds:
Posted: April 15th, 2009 at 9:45 pm →
[...] year I had a very hard time enjoying the resort, after an unplanned detour to a small, poverty-stricken nearby [...]
tim responds:
Posted: June 11th, 2009 at 4:32 am →
tru,, kool blog hae,, im doing poverty in mex 4 a speech in spanish i got at skool in nz,, was just in mexico with school trip b4 the borders closed and managed to take the h1n1 swine flu back to new zealand with me hehe.. allgood now tho