Transcription
[Music] Hey remarkable lifers. This is Craig and this is KJ and welcome to truly remarkable life. Truly remarkable life. in YouTube. See pavore and back to English.
So definitely, um, have had a little bit of a shift lately in kind of how our channel is being not only received but the feedback that we're getting and interactions that we're having. And so, um, there's a lot of things that are going on in the world right now that might not surprise you, but we kind of figure it's our job because you're on that side of the camera for us to say, "Hey, this is what we're hearing and this is what we're seeing."
And also, we're getting a lot of inquiries from subscribers, you know, through, um, our through our website, through DMs on on social media and stuff asking about stuff that they're seeing in the news. And so I'm going to go ahead and jump off right here and say, yes, this video is going to have news, current political events, and all that kind of stuff. If you don't want to hear us talk about politics, go ahead and just don't watch the video. And you can avoid putting negative comments below. You know, it's okay. It is what it is. We, we really do have to address some of these issues that our subscribers are asking about, right?
Yes. Absolutely. And it's, it's, you know, we're not, this isn't a political channel. isn't talking about all of that, but what we're doing and, you know, living in another country can sometimes be political. It can be viewed as political, especially with the way things, you know, are happening up north right now. Um, it's being polit politicized and more about that later in the video 'cause there actually is politics going on.
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, there is. There really is. Yeah. And we're back to having a list. Yes, we have list on, we have a list on the phone because this is a, we, we want to make sure that we get everything that that people are asking about in in this video. So, one of the big things is, so most of you all have probably seen that there are protests and whatnot going off going on in various cities in Mexico. Um, namely Mexico City.
Yeah. Yeah. There's been a few others, but the big one that you've probably seen was Mexico City. And, um, the the the big thing about it was gentrification and gringoes go home and this sort of stuff. And, you know, did did that happen? Yes. Is there that sentiment? Yes. In some, in some areas there is. And the first thing I'm going to say is it doesn't matter who you are and what country you you you go to, there's always going to be a group of people who don't want you there.
Right? It just is. Right. This is not uniquely Mexican. It's not, it's not uniquely American or US or anything. Yeah.
And I'll I'll I'll elaborate on that and say that there's a lot of people who don't understand, right? Why we're here, how we're here, what we're doing, how we got here, and what our intentions are. And so I'm being attacked by a dog over here. If you see me being jerked around, she'll show, she'll make an appearance in a minute. Um, but this is just a part for the course of, you know, while we're trying to do our videos, we're getting attacked on the side. I don't. She's not attacking you. She's attacking that toy in your hand.
Take it. No.
So, but that's kind of what's happening in our social media these days as well. You know, the the the the protest and stuff that you've been seeing, you know, um, a lot of it is geared towards gentrification. Is that a reality? Yes, it is. Now, with that being said, we've also seen several articles written by Mexicans, um, that live that live in Mexico City, have lived in Mexico City for decades, walada, various different places. And they their viewpoint is very much that gentrification started decades ago. This is not something that is new. Um, it's just, it, it's coming to a head now. And, you know, the articles that we read, you know, the authors who are Mexican, you know, basically took responsibility for being involved in the early stages of it, you know, decades ago. Um, I read an article this morning, um, where the government, um, of Mexico City is actually going to be looking into ways of having rent control and some different things in order to help, you know, help lessen the effects of gentrification for the local for the local population and all of that. And I, I can't say I have a problem with whatever that you know, whatever needs to be done. Um, I, I know that we definitely can, you know, probably contribute as, as foreigners here. We probably contribute 'cause a lot of times you don't know what to pay, what the economy is and it's, you know, seems fair and so you pay it and then end up finding out that it's a overimproved building and it's, uh, extremely expensive. And if they can get those rents, why are why would they rent to anyone else?
Yeah. And so I understand that and that's where it comes in of understanding the culture and, not the culture but the economy.
And and and comparing and contrasting and and and getting reliable referrals to, um, you know, business people who can help you, um, and get you the cultural side of it as well and the the econ economic side of it.
And it is, I mean, I, I agree 100%. It's, it the economy is so critical because you're, if you're, if you're an immigrant, um, to another country, you are bringing in your concepts, your cultural, um, economics into that area. You need to find out what are the cultural expectations. What is the economy? You can't come, I could use, we'll use Mexico as an example because that's where we live. You can't come to Mexico and think about tipping and convert the pesos into dollars in your head and make a decision that that's too small.
Okay. That, that because that's arrogant and it is, it, it ends up messing with the economy here. You need to understand how you're supposed to tip and what you're supposed to pay for things.
Yeah. I mean, there's people who come here and they'll tip 50%. Because in their dollars, wherever they're from, it's a lot. It seems so little, but what ends up happening is that, and I won't go into the whole detail again, but then that shows that we're willing to pay more. So, the prices get raised and it prices the local people out and then that becomes a gringo restaurant which or a gringo business which, hi Jojo.
Hello Jojo. Say hi. This is our little gringo. But she, uh, but, uh, but they end up, you know, not being able to afford those places that we can afford because of the the exchange rate. It's not that we're wealthy, it's that we can afford it because of the exchange rate. And once you learn, you go, "Wait a minute, I've been going to that that place and I'm paying 50% more." So, it doesn't always last, but it, it definitely makes it more difficult on the people locally, especially with houses, you know, especially with, uh, apartments and those types of things. So,
Yeah, so it is, it's really important to understand that. So, you know, from a cultural perspective, you know, I have to, I have to, we, we, you know, we talked about this earlier and I think it's really important, especially for, um, the Mexicans here that, you know, that have welcomed us into their country. Um, you know, the gringo here, um, we're trying, um, we're trying to learn the culture. The vast majority of us absolutely love Mexico. We love living here. We love everything about it and we're trying to learn the culture and we're trying to learn the language. Um, we're not, we're, we're not perfect at it for sure and we're going to mess it up, but we're trying. And every, every Mexican person that I know where we live is so thankful that we're trying to learn the language and the culture and and and and integrate with everything. And if you're tr, if you're, you know, if you're a gringo and you're thinking about moving to Mexico, I think that's going to be the attitude that you're going to encounter the most. If you're trying, if you come down here expecting this, expecting this country or where you move to in Mexico to be a carbon copy of where you're coming from, my question to you would be, why are you coming?
Right. Yeah. If you were, if you're walking in here and you're like, I, I don't plan to try to learn English or Spanish. I don't try to, I'm not planning to try to learn Spanish or I'm not trying to, um, understand the culture. I'm not going to go to any cultural events. So, I'm not going to, um, try to get to know any of the Mexicans. Um, don't come.
Why? Why are you coming? Even if your reasoning is pure that you love the weather, you love, you know, it's just a beautiful place, that kind of thing. Um, it's not fair to just try to come and and and enjoy that without understanding the people who live there and getting to know them. I'm telling you right now, some, I mean, some amazing people that we've met and gotten to know and the language is the bridge to that and they're trying to learn English. We're trying to learn Spanish. Um, we're trying to understand each other and, you know, it's, it's kind of a beautiful thing. We live in an area that's very uniquely multicultural. It's very interdependent upon each other. You know, we, we, it's, it's small. So, we rely on the local expertise, the local businesses, the local people to help us get around, to help us, uh, find what we need, those kind of things. And they rely on us for business in addition to the local business. And and it's a mutual relationship here. And I think a lot of the Mexicans in this area actually appreciate that like broader view of things. Um, this has been an area that's been, I don't want to use the word gentrified but, um, you know, full of foreigners since for 100 years really, um, people started coming here back in the, you know, I think late 1800s even, um, not just the Spanish conquistadors but, you know, people who discovered the thermal waters and the beautiful lake and the climate and all of these things and then the the lovely people. I will say that this is the closest culture that I've run into to the old-fashioned Aloha Hawaii spirit.
Um, it's been, and I say old-fashioned because that's changing even. Um, sorry, dog, dog toy.
Um, we're just letting her be on video now. We're letting you play fetch with us. It's, that's how it is.
Yeah, it's constant. You know, with, um, you know, there's been, you know, questions coming in, you know, is there an anti-immigrant, um, attitude, you know, and the tone and the mood. Has it, has it shifted that way? No. Um, does it exist? Yes. Um, and I will say there are a lot of people, um, that, you know, are, we, we talk to our friends and stuff and there are questions, they're like, you know, what's going on in the states that is directly impacting Mexico? People from Central America, Latin America, South America. It's, it's, it's, it's horrible. And is that going to bleed over into these countries and the anti-American sentiment? Absolutely it is. And I mean, and kind of rightfully so. Um, you know, so it's, it's one of those things where we, as we, as greeningos, as immigrants, um, into this country and everything, it is critical that we behave appropriately. It is also very critical that if you are a gringo and you are down here and you see someone who is from north of the border or something and they are behaving badly, you need to pull them to the side. You need to call them out.
Well, and and and you can do so kindly if you wish, but, um, it's, it's, uh, you know, or help them understand like what's happening. If you've been here longer and they're just frustrated because they're confused about what's happening or maybe it's a cultural like just misstep,
Help them. Yes.
Um, you know, and and and try to diffuse that situation. And if you're being, if you find yourself in that situation where you're frustrated, you don't know what's happening, you're, you get step away, take a breath, be humble, and and and and let somebody else help you if they offer. Um, it's, it's definitely important to not assume that you know what's really happening when the language barrier is sometimes and and sometimes you might be saying the right words. It's not understood the right way. It, it's,
Yeah, it's not understood the same way. What you're saying is not understood the same way in both languages.
Right?
And so it's important, um, and we want to be good stewards of our time and our place here and what we try to do is to dispel a lot of the myths that come from up north to explain, um, the differences and to show a lot of the things that we got. Now he's getting Jojo, um, to explain a lot of the things that we were confused are blind spots for us. And one of the things that I've noticed recently is that our, there's a lot of comments, especially on anything that shows us or not us but as, you know, the gringoes that live here, um, that is getting a lot of just random hate messages. Yeah, I get it that social media, you know, blocky block.
But it has, there, there's been a recent severe uptick. So, one of the things that we are trying to do right now is to really understand why we're seeing a shift in how people are responding to our channel, especially the Mexican people. And what I think I've figured out is obviously we are gringoes from another country. And it's a blind spot for us that we are not there seeing and feeling that tension that's happening up there. And when we are just simply trying to post something beautiful, it may come across insensitively. Um, and so we're, we're looking at that and we're trying to be responsible with what we're sharing and how we're doing it. I don't think we've shared anything at all that was arrogant, but I can understand where the interpretation would come in. And I'm going to start putting things in English and Spanish. That way there is a, um, there is an outreach to those, uh, Spanish speaking people. One of the things that I've realized over the time I've been here is that there is that gap. And so, for example, there was a protest that for the No King's Day here, like 400 people came and that entire thing was a, hey, we don't like what's happening up north. We are here trying to show solidarity for the Mexican people that this is not a bad country. Um, that, you know, we love this country. So, you know, the only thing that was being seen on some of the signs that were in English was maybe it was in red, white and blue, the, you know, US colors and then the name of a certain person. Well, it may say I don't like what that person is doing, but if you don't speak English and you can't read English, then all you can read is that one word, that name.
Yeah.
And so you see a bunch of people with red, white, and blue and it's and a name. And it appears to be a rally in, you know, supportive, not, um, for change. And so I understand why some people, not all, many people did absolutely get what we were doing and thought that's great, but I understand why people maybe on the outside that aren't paying attention or that don't have the language, um, you know, to to understand it. It look, it did not look good. So, I'm actually imploring you if you are here and you are doing those kind of things to put your signs in Spanish to make sure that you're not, um, that you're clear about what that message is. If you're using a name, put a big red X through it. If you're against it, if you're for it, good luck because down here, you're not going to be received well.
No. And that's,
If you are coming down here with your merch, if you know what I mean, your red merch and your attitudes of that kind of attitude. Um, whether you're, you can be any political party, but if you're coming down here to promote that, um, or feel like you you have a right to walk around like that, you're not going to be received well at all.
No, not at all.
Um, you're going to have a very small world.
Yeah. You know, and the other thing is like, um, with, we, we have been, we've been having some some issues with, uh, some hate coming in on one specific social media type. I'm not going to go into it because I don't want to draw anymore. Um, but it hasn't been on our YouTube channel per se. It's really on something else and it's on a very specific type and structure of post that we create. Um, what I will say is this. Um, I think most of y'all are probably moderately intelligent and you've come to realize that news media, politicians, all of those people, they are going out, they are looking for things that they can purposefully take clips from, corrupt, twist, turn into something for their own personal gain.
Yes.
And so I think that we all need to really start watching this kind of stuff. You know, we're dealing with it. You know, we, we know social media stuff, but I think it's a broader conversation, you know, and and you need to really watch what you're seeing and if somebody is saying something and it's being taken out of context, it's completely appropriate to step up and say, that is not what that person meant.
Yeah. And and and feel free to comment on our comment, the comments that we receive. Please be nice. Please engage. Don't,
Um, just fight. But if you want to, you know, reassure, 'cause I've had luck actually with some of the comments, you know, saying, "Ah, there's just a bunch of, you know, who supporters there." Um, actually, you know, what I found is that we're mostly not. We actually just love Mexico and, you know, are very much in saddened by what, you know, any mistreatment, blah, blah, blah. And it's educating and the people come back and say, "I'm so glad to hear that. I thought it was a bot. I'm glad I did that experiment because I feel like we're, you know, letting some people know what what's really happening."
Yeah. I think we all have to educate and help each other understand where everyone's coming from because the truth of the matter is is we're all just normal people trying to live our lives.
Yeah. And,
Everyone is.
Yes. Yes.
So, all of us.
And we can do that together and help each other. And,
And I feel like I found a home here. I absolutely love this place. Love Mexico. Love the Mexican people, the Mexican culture, the Mexican food, the Mexican everything. And that doesn't take away from anything I feel about my home country. I can, two things can be true at the same time.
So, you know, if you're going to argue on the other side of this fence, shoot, don't. I've expanded my my, uh, my world. I haven't replaced it.
It's not one or the other.
Yeah. It doesn't have to be. No. But for the Mexicans out there, I do want to make sure that you guys know too, there's a lot of people that see our videos or see our stuff and they're like, "Ah, just a bunch of illegal people that live coming to our country." No. Um, the, it's while it might not be right, the majority of people that are here come under qualifications that are set by the government.
And actively discourage other people from coming in illegally.
Yes. And we, we actively discourage that. And we, it's a, it's kind of a, you know, many many-step process. It's not cheap and all of those things to get this done. And you have to continuously stay up with it. And you have to make sure that you're doing everything right so that you don't, you know, uh, risk that status to get temporary or permanent residency, um, here. And and I understand that's very different than what it is up north, but we're not just flooding across in reverse.
No.
Um, and taking up residence here. Um, it's a mindful, thoughtful process. Um, it's in my opinion, how it should be going the other direction.
Absolutely. And I'm hoping that we can set that example and in future that that can be something that sets better with different administrations. Um, it's again, our whole goal is to try to educate about what the realities are about the beauty of Mexico, the the kindness of Mexican people. We're talking about a handful of people here. Okay.
Yeah. You know, the the few are the loudest and that's what's happening. Um, and I think it's on both sides of the border and of political parties and of any argument and, um, the majority of us just all want to get along. We literally just all want to get along.
Yeah, exactly.
And I think that goes for everybody.
No, I completely agree. You know, but, you know, to go back and answer, you know, some of the questions that we've been getting, yes. I mean, is it a topic of conversation more now than it has been? Yes. As things get worse and worse and worse north of the border, it does bring the conversation up more and more here. And it's naturally going to, it, it's just going to force some really, some really hard things. And so we're trying to help, um, our Mexican friends and family know that why we're here and that we love it here and that we are, we are ashamed and appalled of what's going on and that that we, we can bond together and try to try to overcome what's going on. And when we see bad behavior or people who are taking advantage of system here, um, we definitely call it out, um, and and discourage it at every turn. So I think it's important to know too that, you know, while the, we, we're, we're mindful of how we behave down here as far as economically as well, the majority of people don't, while we may qualify for some of the the government health care or whatever, we don't use it. We go to private care and we pay full price. Um, now I understand that can be an impact as well. But, um, most Americans and Canadians actually will go back to their home country, do all their health care stuff and then come back down here. So that's not always the case about why somebody comes down here is for free healthcare, um, or for free, um, you know, anything or for better prices. Um, people just love Mexico. Come on. I mean, you're me. If, if you're Mexican, you know why I love Mexico. And if you're not Mexican, you, you still know why I love Mexico 'cause we're showing it to you. So, it's, h, it's a hard, hard topic and we're just doing our best and I'm sure we've gotten some things wrong. Um, I'm sure,
We're still going to get things wrong, but we're trying.
And we're, we're going to, we're continuing to try to learn and I'm open to any engagement in the comments below. If you're just going to post something mean, that's not productive. So, skip it because I will skip you on that because we don't have the energy or the time and it's not productive. But any comments, things that you want to share, as long as it's positive, please do so down below. And we hope that we can continue to at least be some sort of light in the darkness in this weird, weird world,
That we're all living in all of a sudden.
Right?
I know. What else you got? Um, well, let's see.
Give her a, Give her her. There she is.
Give her her cameo.
Jojo says just be nice.
That's right.
Jojo says just be nice and take care of each other. And by the way, Jojo is the most Mexican dog I've ever seen in my life. She absolutely loves loves loves loves to be outside. She loves to play. She's a dog. She plays hard. And she was running around in the rain today and couldn't get enough of it. And yes, she knows Spanish commands.
So she does.
So she's a little sweetheart.
We're raising her bilingual because we feel that's important. And she is rescued from an organization here. And we do, we are falling more and more in love with her. And I think she's falling in love with us.
Uh-huh. She says it's cuddle time on the couch.
That's right.
Okay. Thanks for listening to us ramble. We hope we made some good points. If you haven't already, go find your truly remarkable life. Thank you so much. Bye.
Adios. Adios. [Music]