While Mexico still energetically retains its holistic traditions of herbal remedies and homeopathy, it remains na ve about the long-range effects of dangerous chemicals. Gardeners routinely dust with Diazanon and many natural healing clinics overspray pesticides for insect control. Animals are poached, exotic birds are illegally captured, and pollution by industry and automobile waste goes virtually unchecked. Mexico is just now learning the hard lessons of environmental responsibility the developed nations of the world have been forced to embrace. Other things, especially in the small villages of Mexico need some Getting Used To .
Houses are different.
Brick, concrete block and rebar rule, building codes are not regulated in most areas, and a kind of technological backwardness is everywhere. Native and time-tested building methods have not lost their value, but for those of us who insist upon the same sophisticated gadgets in our homes here that we had there, must prepare ourselves for difficult learning curves. Modes of dress are different. Modesty is still observed and European styles are emulated, but not necessarily North American fashions. Our middle class slouchwear, regardless of how much we paid for it, is not de rigeur .