September Celebrates Mexican Independence Part 1/5
Tradesmen of Jaltemba Bay Series
Tara A. Spears
The month of September is bursting with tradition and Mexican pride- a perfect background for showcasing notable local individuals. There are four federal and state designated holidays in September so be aware that there will be bank, business, and school closings plus heavy influx of visitors to the beach towns.
This swelling of love and loyalty towards their country, its history, its culture and its symbols will be celebrated with food, fiestas private and public, fireworks and lots of beer to show their patriotism. These men are a new generation of worker that are redefining the essence of modern Mexico while carrying on the traditions of their country. Although they have diverse backgrounds, all of the men showcased share the values of modern Mexican culture: a deep love of country, a profound commitment to faith, family and community, a reverence for land besides embracing technology.
While Jaltemba Bay is a predominately hospitality driven economy, it is the skilled labor force that makes life better for the vacationer and residents. Trade skills are incredibly valuable, and people are always going to need the expertise of a tradesperson to maintain a comfortable, modern lifestyle. We live in a society that places a high value on the professions and white-collar jobs, and that still considers blue-collar work lower status. This bias against vocational education is foolish.
Many of the skills most needed to compete in the global market of the 21st century are technical skills that fall into the technical/vocational area. JB is fortunate to have the local vocational high school, CONALEP, that is producing workers that excel in many technical and vocational fields besides those graduates that successfully pursue university degrees. CONALEP’s rigorous curriculum includes 35% general subjects and 65% vocational subjects.
Many educators will explain that there are multiple types of intelligence of equal value and that those individuals with a high degree of bodily-kinesthetic and spatial intelligence are frequently those who are successful in varied technical trades. The following local tradesmen take pride in their work and it shows. Their confidence results from their training and repeatedly doing a job well. You can click on the photos and save the contact information to your cell or computer for future reference.
Between the potholes, tompes (speedbumps) and crumbling cobblestone roads, this is a tradesman you can rely on. He is on the highway at the second electric signal in Guayabitos. Open every day but Sunday. Speaks English.
For those that drive cross country over the continent, having AC in your vehicle is a priority. I always get excited when the repairman has the proper tools! Victor accepts drive ins or you can make an appointment. Closed Sundays.
Everyone needs a reliable refrigerator, stove or washing machine. Another Conalep grad, Marco Munoz, is terrific getting your appliances running topnotch. His shop is on the highway kitty corner to the Guayabitos Pemex traffic light. Due to the quality of his work Marco is in high demand but worth the wait!
Mexicans are very proud of their country. However, this generally relates to the culture and people rather than the nation state or its institutions. According to Livescience.com, the population has become very skeptical of the government and authority figures due to pervasive corruption at all levels of society. Therefore, national pride is generally directed towards Mexican traditions and cultural awareness. Many Mexicans feel their country has great cultural depth and wealth in comparison to others. There is a saying “como México no hay dos” (There is none other like Mexico), which reflects how people believe Mexico has a particular uniqueness.
The local tradesmen have earned the respect of their clients through their hard work and skill.
I am thankful that these tradesmen enjoy working with their hands and enjoy what they do: makes my life so much easier! “A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.” (Anonymous)
Next week will feature the talented young chef, Jesus González Castorena.
