Re: [ranchos] FOOD and old world traditions

[Joseph Puentes <makas@...>]

Erlinda Castanon-Long wrote:

>  
>  I found the customs in the area to still be from the old school.  I 
> wanted to walk alone at 6am to take photos and observe. I was told 
> this would reflect poorly on my family for me to walk the streets 
> alone, I was 58 at the time.  They got their daughter of out bed to 
> accompany me.  Old traditions still abound.  I was also told it was my 
> responsibility to go to the senior member of my family and offer my 
> respect.  I didn't even know I had family there when I arrived.  I 
> ended up going to 14 homes offering my and my families respect.  When 
> it was time to leave I had to go back and "despenser" sp.. myself.  At 
> 11pm the last night a family came who said I didn't visit them so they 
> came to me... I had no idea.. They also asked why their American 
> cousins had forgotten them?  I had no answers for them.  The senior 
> member was 96 years old and remembered my grandmother, her Tia.  They 
> pulled out photos of me when I wa! s 2 years old!  When it comes to 
> customs and manners I found I had a lot to learn from new found family 
> members and thier old world ways.  I'm sure others visiting the "Old" 
> country have found similar experiences.
> Linda
thanks for telling this story of your experiences. Our history is there 
in Mexico. Our family is there in Mexico. Our roots are there in Mexico. 
The genealogy records will wait but the oral history and our relatives 
will not.
thanks Linda,

joseph