MEXICO CITY – Taking part in the Youth Journalism International Global Conference in Mexico and the peaceful neighborhood of Coyoacán was beyond fascinating.
Mexican culture had so much to offer, and I immediately knew I needed to come back after realizing how wonderful the culture really is.
One aspect I found both familiar and exotic was the friendliness of the people.
The Korean concept of “jeong” – unconditional acts of caring and kindness – shape my everyday life in Korea. Practicing jeong meant that we asked strangers how their day went and restaurants gave out free samples for the sake of making people happy.
But I began to realize that Mexico took these thoughtful acts of kindness to another level, to the point where I felt jeong significantly pales in comparison.
I recall a time when our team was walking past a bakery and waiting to cross the road when our tour guide began talking to the driver of a car that was waiting for us to get past. She seemed to have a very warm-hearted discussion with the man in the car as she gave him a goodbye before he drove off.
I realized after everything took place that she was apologizing for making him wait for our giant group of people to cross the street. This surprised me not just because she didn’t really have anything to apologize for, but also because our tour guide went out of her way to explain to the man how she was taking us on a tour and we would make our way across as quickly as possible.
This is just one of many moments I encountered the kindness prevalent within the culture. The service of organ grinders to provide playful music for the streets while being paid low wages from the government was also another notable example.
All of these experiences made Mexico all the more welcoming for me. Considering how I was aware of the crime rates in certain other parts of Mexico, my experience was far distanced from any of these potential dangers, but connected to the joyful and energetic atmosphere of Mexico.
Taking guided tours also opened my eyes to the immense pride Mexicans have for their culture. When I realized that burritos were not entirely Mexican but Tex-Mex food, I was devastated that I was in Mexico without fully being able to embrace the culture for what it was.
But as I navigated my way around numerous museums and historical sites, I realized that background knowledge would counteract the enriching experience I had without such preparation. Immersing myself in a country so welcoming of both foreigners and the curiosities they brought enabled me to enjoy myself more than I had expected.
I was thrilled to have a proper piñata experience while singing the strangely addictive piñata song, and the cuisine I enjoyed there was everything my taste buds had dreamed of.
Who would’ve thought guacamole could take on the form of diced avocados? I will remember Mexico as a country of kindness with a fascinating culture, where genuine human interactions flourish and a proud Mexican identity flows in the air.
Damian Nam is a Reporter with Youth Journalism International from South Korea. He wrote this commentary and contributed some of the photos.
