Photos for viewing if interested...

[Randy G]

I have put some photos of my fiancee and I on a MSN community type site. The photos are not digital, they were taken with a disposable camera, but they work. Some of the thumbnails are covered by some kind of animation, and I don't know how to change it, but the photo is there nevertheless. I hope you can get an idea of what Mexico was like for me, but I warn you, they are kind of dull photos, as I was on a budget...Feel free to browse, the Photo Albums are in the left column, just click and go.   Randy

http://communities.msn.com/RandyGloria

[Randy G]

... in response to Photos for viewing if interested..., posted by Randy G on Jul 31, 2001

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[buzzy]

... in response to Thanks for the approval, everyone! I go ..., posted by Randy G on Aug 1, 2001

Great fotos Randy.  Thanks for sharing your success.  Remember Randy..there's a cowpoke behind every sagebrush so don't fall outta da saddle on this one.  Hold on tight and if you see any rustlers kick'em wit your spurs.  Good luck and happy trails.

[JunFan]

... in response to Photos for viewing if interested..., posted by Randy G on Jul 31, 2001

Nice to see another gringo who is not intimidated to put his pics on here...it's always easier to just hide behind the keyboard....best wishes...Mike

www.sparhard.com/colombia.htm

[bret]

... in response to Photos for viewing if interested..., posted by Randy G on Jul 31, 2001

hey,

bien hecho hombre! she is a lovely lady. you have done us all a great service by posting these photos. i have never really thought that much about mexico, but i do remember a few years ago when i was in san diego, i heard quite a lot of talk about how beautiful the ladies are in guadalajara.

now we all have proof! nice job.

i did have one chuckle at your expense, however, when i read the line about how she has 28 nieces and nephews. man 'o man, better buckle your seat belt. you know how mexican ladies like big families, especially if they come from big familes.

so, your a family man, right?

well, all i have to say is i'm jealous, and of course, congratulations!!!

aren't you the firefighter guy? have you been in wyoming, or is it under control now?

one last thing, what was your favorite town to visit outside of guadalajara? something in the hills maybe, palm trees, dry climate. hey, i never know, i might be in mexico soon!

[Randy G]

... in response to Re: Photos for viewing if interested..., posted by bret on Jul 31, 2001

...for your kind reply. And to answer your question, yes, I want to be a family man! But the times are a changin', even in Mexico, and most women (Glorias sisters included) seem to want to have three kids maximum. They more educated in the economics of the situation. But Glorias family seems to have a knack for producing twins and mostly girls at that. Gloria wants two children, which is fine because she is 36 now and to wait much longer increases the odds something might go awry.
As far as fires, I have only been on a local fire here for four days, but things are going to pick up in late summer like they always do. Southern Oregon is going thru its worst drought in many years. Right now I am kind of bored, as Gloria left two weeks ago today.
Favorite city in Mexico has to be Queretaro, Queretaro, population 400,000. This city is about five hours east of GDL toward Mexico City, which is two hours away. The best preserved 'centro' anywhere, and a modern, prosperous and clean city around the old colonial downtown. Favorite small town is Alamos, way up north in Sonora. A 450 year old, perfectly preserved town full of classic Mexican Hacienda architecture from the wealth that was brought from the silver mines. 6000 people, very quiet in a very scenic area with some very rugged, green mountains as a backdrop..Randy

[Jeff S]

... in response to Thanks Bret..., posted by Randy G on Aug 1, 2001

Randy: Great pics and what a lovely family! With 9 sisters-in-law and their families, you're going to have some busy Christmas shopping days - Lucky guy. I've spent lots of tome in GDL and really enjoyed my stays there. I also like Queretero and get there every year on business for a few days - what a great city! Best wishes to you and your new familia.
-- Jeff S.

[Randy G]

... in response to Re: Thanks Bret..., posted by Jeff S on Aug 1, 2001

...to be in a position to travel to these places on business. Actually, GDL is one of my least favorite cities in Mexico, as there are other cities that are much more livable and have all the things we as Gringos are accustomed too. But it was a good starting point, but I would not recommend it as a great place to learn Spanish, as there are so many people who speak English and want to practice it. But, GDL minimized the culture shock, and when we get married in Nov. I will be the only Gringo in a town of 50,000...I will really have to use my Spanish then. As far as family goes, I was looking for a significant other with a nice, large family, as my immediate family is just down to mother and I. What a pleasure to have all the sisters and their husbands to be within a few years of my age (31 to 46) and another plus for me, none of the family smokes! Crazy odds for that in Latin America, huh? Anyway, thanks and good luck.  Randy

[Michael B]

... in response to Thanks Bret..., posted by Randy G on Aug 1, 2001

vive mejor.    Finally! All those billboards, subway posters and TV & radio spots they made in the 70's have taken hold, ja ja.  My favorite city in Mexico is The Rich Village of the True Cross (aka Veracruz) ever been there?. Second favorite is D.F., although I have to agree that Queretero is very nice also (so are Tasco and Cuernevaca). Well, congradulations and best wishes. My Colombiana that I plan to marry also wants two kids and she says that twin girls also run in her family (hope so, she's 37, so not much time left). Be careful in those fires now...say, if you need, I can send you a couple of Dallas engine companies on mutual aid.

Mike

[Randy G]

... in response to La Familia Pequena, posted by Michael B on Aug 1, 2001

...among the more educated people of Mexico, but if you still go to the poorer areas of the country, there is still a tradition of large families, which in turn keeps everyone poor. I hope I don't sound callous, I just like to tell it like it is. Mexico is a wonderful country, but it has it's share of serious problems, one being overpopulation.
I have never been to Veracruz, Taxco or Cuernavaca. I explored quite a bit on my own or with Gloria on the weekends. One state that I love is Michoacan. High elevation mountains covered in dense Pine forests, beautiful lakes with Islands and Indian villages on them and the very colonial capital city of Morelia. The state reminded me of eastern and central Oregon somewhat.
I haven't been to D.F., but would like to take it in just once, but it isn't that high on my agenda. One place I will check out when I go back is the southern state of Chiapis.
Randy

[El Diablo]

... in response to Yes, it is finally starting to sink in....., posted by Randy G on Aug 1, 2001


"" there is still a tradition of large families, which
in turn keeps everyone poor. ""

Randy,

This sounds Malthusian to me and also anti-Catholic.  I have five brothers and sisters yet my family is not poor.  My best friend is a Catholic priest, he is Mexican American, has nine brothers and sisters, yet his family is thriving.  In Russia the birth rate is 1.14 children per family, one of the lowest rates in all the world, yet poverty exists everywhere.  Japan is one of the most densely populated countries yet it is also one of the most productive despite a lack of natural resources. The start of the industrial revolution was closely proceeded by large increases in population. These are anecdotal stories but they are true and I think they help illustrate that poverty is not as simple as your statement implies.  More people can exasperate an already bad situation but population is not the root cause of it in my opinion.  The problems of poverty are complicated for sure, the economic policies of the government are a part of it as is the generosity and willingness to share of a given community, however I think large families plays a minimal role.  

Anyway, I apologize for going off on you but I wanted to at least offer a more Catholic perspective.

El Diablo

[bret]

... in response to Re: Yes, it is finally starting to sink ..., posted by El Diablo on Aug 2, 2001

get a clue, bro!

you made some very broad generalizations, and i'm sure you enjoyed the entire hour it probably took you to write these meaningless statements, but waxing poetic doesn't really change the ecomomic realities of the world, does it?

take a little trip down south to some poverty stricken areas, find a family of 15, and then try to tell them about how "the industrial revolution was closely proceeded by large increases in population". when you are finished with your pro-cathloic speech, kick back for a few moments, take a good long look at their surroundings, and notice if your religious mumbo-jumbo actually improved their economic misfortunes.

wake up and smell the coffee, hombre. more children to feed means less money per child, and less money per child means lower a quality of life.

if some friends of yours are from big families, and they have done well financially, that's a beautiful thing. but it doesn't mean every family in the world has the same opportunities, especially if they are from a less devoloped country in the first palce.

maybe you should keep your personal religious beliefs to yourself, right were they belong!

[El Diablo]

... in response to Re: Re: Yes, it is finally starting to s..., posted by bret on Aug 2, 2001

What I was suggesting, if you read more closely is that population is not a root cause of poverty, however it is often presented as such. The causes of poverty in the modern world are much more a result of government policies than larger families, at least this is my belief.  Population can exasperate an already bad situation however the solution is to remedy the bad situation by providing an environment where people can be productive.  The economic problems in Latin America have to do with lack of infrastucture, lack of education, corruption, poor government policies and the list could go on.

I mentioned it from a Catholic perspective because quite frankly this is the religion of 95% of the people in Mexico and all of Latin America for that matter.  If their religious beliefs and traditions offend you then my apologies.

[bret]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Yes, it is finally starting ..., posted by El Diablo on Aug 2, 2001

no, their religious beliefs never offend me. and yes, i did read your post closely.

to "remedy the bad situation by providing an environment where people can be porductive" is a great idea, but is going to happen in the here and now? does it sound a little like pie in the sky to you when compared to accepting the economic realities of the modern world, and making an effort to limit (birth control) the size of one's family, keeping it in line with an economic situation?

[El Diablo]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Yes, it is finally start..., posted by bret on Aug 2, 2001

Let's be honest, your strong reaction to the point of telling me to keep my opinion to myself, was/is based on your dislike of Catholic tradition on birth control.  You are certainly entitled to your opinion but again what I was suggesting more than anything is that the root causes of poverty are not based on population.  

In the 1980's, when Jeane KirkPatrick was our Ambassador to the United Nations, the U.S. cut off funding to U.N. agencies that were promoting population based remedies for poverty.  The new administration felt that the programs were often times more about social engineering and ideology than about helping a community within the framework of their belief structures.  As an example, the United Nations had been holding less developed Catholic countries hostage in affect, offering funds for beneficial development projects and education but not releasing the funds unless the countries accepted programs promoting artificial methods of birth control and abortion.  Interestingly enough, these programs were often opposed by the very people they were supposed to help.  Many indigenious leaders in Peru and Bolivia, viewed the programs as an attempt by the ruling class to limit the numbers of their people.  I'm not sure this is the case however I do believe the organizations to be somewhat arrogant and disrespectful of the traditions and religious beliefs of a people.  When power in Washington changed in 1992, one of the first acts of the new administration was to reverse the policy that existed before.  There was quite a lot of noise made about this in the press at that time.

Anyway, I don't want to get off on this too much as clearly this is a controversial topic.  I'm probably outnumbered by all you good Democrats and Protestants anyway.   (-:

El Diablo