St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1945-06-01
Mexico Our NeighbOr
Described By Marjorie Curry

in Austin. She had also given US
the name of her guide, Juan Trev-
emo. The Hotel Ancira was filed.
An official guide by the name Of
Menchaca literally took charge Of
US whether or no. He informed US
that the Mexican government
wanted to be sure that all tourists
were properly cared for and that
he would find US hotel. Since we
had kept our taxi waiting, we had
to pay five pesos for cab fare. Then
we went to five hotels in quick sue
cession. Always we were asked
whether or not we had reserva-
lions and when we said "no" there
were no rooms for US. We were
just about to decide that in Mexico
they discriminate against other
brown people when our guide took
US to the Hotel Zuazua. Someone
would vacate in an hour and we
could have their rooms.
The Hotel Zuazua was a small
hotel with a tiled floor. All the
rooms opened on to a balcony which
overlooked small courtyard. That
night we ate at the Imperial Cafe
and got our first taste of the ex-
cellent Mexican cooking.
When we left Austin for Monter-
reg, my friend had said that she
did not have enough time to go to
Mexico City because she had to re-
turn to Louisiana to pack and go
on to New York. Once in Monter-
reg, however, she began to wish she
could go on to Mexico City, be-
cause we both realized that Mon
terrey, although beautiful and full
of beautiful brown people was still
very modern city. Except for some
parts of the city one might be in
Minneapolis or Chicago so modern
were the stores. The plaza "a GEN.
trail park characteristic of most
Mexican cities) was the place where
one saw the people and plenty of
excitement. Here small boys asked
to shine your shoes. Young men
tried to sell us corsages or candy.
Young men and old sprawled on
the benches for their asiesta. At
night the place teemed with peo-
pie. Beautiful girls all walking to-
gether and going around and around
the plaza. Handsome men walking
together, looking at the girls and
walking around and around the
plaza. They do this until ten o'clock
when the curfew rings. Then the
plaza is suddenly still and quiet.
On the day following our arrival
in Monterrey, we found the guide,
Juan, quite by chance, and he be-
gan to show US the town. We went
to the Market Place in Monterrey
where one can buy everything
from Mangoes and tea strainers to
ladies' silk stockings. Things are
arranged clear to the ceiling.
Everything for the household. Bas-
kets, furniture, silver, leather goods
or clothing, it can all be found
here.
1t was while we were climbing
about the ruins of the Palacio Del
Obispado that we decided to hire
Juan and his car and tour Mexico
at least as far as Mexico City,
Cuernavaca and Taxco.
By six o'clock that evening we
were bidding Monterrey goodbye.
Juan was as excited as we were
about going, although he goes fire.
quently. Everyone came out to
wish US good trip. They also told
Juan that he was fortunate to be
taking two such charming ladies to
Mexico City and so on. At Juan's
office, one of the men told US that
we would know true satisfaction
when we saw Mexico City. And
then we were off. In another day
with Gods help las Juan expressed
it) we would see Mexico City. We
shall see what the road to Mexico
City is like.
Editors Note: This is the first in
series of articles on Mexico to
be written by Mrs. Curry.