Mexico

Tomorrow, June 24, I will embark on a two-week trip to Mexico. No, I won’t be going to places where you spent your Spring Break. Neither will you find me at bars named after exotic reptiles chugging Tequila like water. I cannot rule out the possibility of enjoying a few sips of tequila here and there or the delights of Mexican cervezas, but I refuse to participate in the “I’m in another country” party-time pageant. Simply put, the rituals of excessive and/or conspicuous consumption are things I’m not interested in.

I am interested in getting lost like a flâneur, to feel the pulse of a city, and to become part of the heart that drives it. But this trip is not to be confused with mere flanerie as it has a productive purpose directly related to my research: to become acquainted with the major silver-producing regions in Mexico during the colonial period, most notably Zacatecas and Guanajuato. I will spend a total of ten days in these two cities, touring the mines, mints, and museums while getting lost on the old cobblestone streets. Prior to Zacatecas, I have a several-day stop in Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque to adjust. Following Guanajuato, I’ll spend my final two days in Mexico City to tour the historical zone, the numismatic museum, and the mints (both colonial and current, and I have clearance from Mexican officials as proof). I am not expecting any major research-related breakthroughs, but I do hope to become more familiar with the role of silver and gold in (colonial and current) Mexico.

Off I go, with camera in hand, away from the friendly, yet parochial confines of small-town USA. I would love it if I could promise not to post many updates. But the realities of having an already-worried family dictate otherwise. Therefore, expect an occasional post or picture if I can find a few hours of free time and a functional internet cafe (I don’t care what country or continent you’re in, all internet cafes are terrible and unreliable). Anticipate the next communiqué from Jalisco.