Different Latin Americas

I find it pretty facinating how non-stressful Mexico is. Of course Venezuela and Mexico are going to be very different from one another, but I really was prepared for a more Venezuela-like experience. So far, Mexico has been incredibly kind, relaxed and peaceful. There's this open gentleness that makes me realize how tense things can get and stay in places where the culture in more wound up.
While I loved Venezula, and the pace of political life there was absolutely stimulating, this taste of the Mexican spirit is making me realize how rough it was there. I just thought this was the nature of landing in another world.
The Spanish here is much easier to understand, and Mexicans are familiar with Gringo spanish from generations of being neighbors with the US. Our Spanish is certainly better than it was, but people we talk to here wait for us to finish a thought before giving up on us. I would highly recommend these parts of Mexico for those wanting to learn Spanish through immersion for these reasons. The language also reflects the pace of life here, its a pace suitable to listening to each other. I'm know that I'm over generalizing, but its a definite impression.
The other major difference it street safety. Almost every Venezuelan warned us about walking anywhere in most cities and towns there after dark. Our freind, Carolina, told us 'the middle class don't walk the streets at all after dark'. She was very objective, not prone to exageration, and it points to both the sharp class divides in Venezuela and the different histories of the 2 countries. Mexico feels safer than most of Rochester, NY. The border towns might be the exception, but we've been throughout a number of central Mexican cities and every one strolls the streets, Markets are open late, and theres lots of people hanging out in public space.
Anyway just some pleasing impressions to go with the photos,

Andy