Mexico and Her People of To-day: An Account of the Customs, Characteristics, Amusements, History and Advancement of the Mexicans, and the Development and Resources of Their CountryWinter, Nevin O. (Nevin Otto)
History
Mexico and Her People of To-day: An Account of the Customs, Characteristics, Amusements, History and Advancement of the Mexicans, and the Development and Resources of Their Country
Winter, Nevin O. (Nevin Otto)
Mexico; National characteristics, Mexican
The Mexican customs examination is a very formal affair and causes very
little inconvenience to the traveller, for the officials are usually very
courteous. An ignorance of the Spanish language will not cause a great
deal of trouble to the experienced traveller in the cities, as it is a
very easy matter to find some one who can speak English. In the remoter
districts more trouble will be encountered, so that one should have at
least a few stock phrases to use.
The money of Mexico is easy for one to familiarize himself with, as the
peso is equal to fifty cents in American money. The only inconvenience at
times is the trouble of carrying so many of these pesos, each of which is
the size of one of our American silver dollars. The minor coins are all
on the decimal system, the peso counting as one hundred centavos.
Hotel accommodation in the cities is fair, although it will take
the traveller some time to get used to the large rooms that he will
oftentimes be placed in. The charges are generally based on the European
plan, but occasionally one will find a hotel on the American plan, and
the charges are reasonable. On arriving at a hotel the guest is usually
shown a room, and, if it is accepted, he may then register and his name
is written on a blackboard with his room number. The cab charges are
usually reasonable. In the City of Mexico there are three classes of
cabs, indicated respectively by blue, red and yellow flags, the latter
being the cheapest class. The driver always expects a small fee in
addition to the regular fare.
Good stores will be found in the cities, and the prices are not
excessive. Most people are interested in things that may be purchased as
souvenirs of the country. The famous drawn work can be bought to the best
advantage in northern Mexico, and especially at Aguas Calientes. Mexico
is also noted for her onyx, opals and the turquoise.
The proper clothing to be worn is that used in the United States for
spring or fall in the higher altitudes, and a light coat should be a
part of the wardrobe. In the lower levels lightweight summer clothing
can be worn at all seasons of the year. Most people visit Mexico during
the winter months, but summer, which is the rainy season, is likewise
delightful.
IV
BIBLIOGRAPHY
BALLOU, M. M.: Aztec Land. Boston, 1890.
BANCROFT, H. H.: History of Mexico. 6 vols. San Francisco, 1888.
BANDELIER, A. F.: Report of an Archeological Tour. Boston, 1885.
BEART, LUCIEN: The Aztecs, their History, Manners and Customs.
From the French. Chicago, 1900.
BISHOP, W. H.: Old Mexico and Her Lost Provinces. New York,
1883.
BROOKS, N. C.: History of the Mexican War. Philadelphia, 1849.
CHARNAY, DESIRÉ: Ancient Cities of the New World. Translated
from French. New York, 1887.
CONKLIN, HOWARD: Mexico and the Mexicans. New York, 1883.
CREELMAN, JAMES: Diaz: Master of Mexico. New York, 1910.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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