Wednesday, July 04, 2012

cuatro de julio

There are times I really enjoy living in Melaque.

Such as opening to the first page of The Oregonian and finding this headline:

"Hump-day holiday a dud for travelers"

I am right with you.  Headlines are supposed to attract our attention and provide a hook summary of the news content.  I had no idea what to expect.

But it worked.  I read the article.  Now, I wish I hadn't.

The article was about the great dilemma faced by American workers and the "leisure activities" industry.  And what is the genesis of this angst?

For the first time in five years -- the Fourth of July falls on Wednesday.  My goodness!  Can you believe it?  No wonder the world is falling apart.

Workers are torn whether to give up a full week of precious vacation time or to simply stay at home for the stand-alone holiday.  One of the few holidays that is still tethered to a specific day.  The fact that "Fourth" shows up in the title is a hint.

Hotels are reporting a lack of bookings.  Campgrounds have open spots.  Airlines have open seats.  What is a nation to do?

Of course,it is easy for me to make mock.  The Fourth of July is not a big holiday in Mexico (except in some of the American reservations that dot the country).  Americans may have stolen Cinco de Mayo from Mexico (a holiday almost unknown here), but the Mexicans have very little interest in celebrating American independence from the Hanoverian tyrant.

But there is something else in the story that simply would not happen here.  The land of my birth seems to be turning into neurotic central.  Getting upset about a holiday on a Wednesday in Mexico would not be a problem.  If it happened here, workers would simply take the day off and stay at home enjoying festivities with their family. 

And then, they may or not show up for work on Thursday or Friday.  Amazingly, the world would keep rotating around the sun. 

Americans seem to think every day off has to be a major event.  As if they were starring in a Bertie Wooster novel.

So, I will celebrate the Fourth of July just as I celebrated the Third.  On my patio.  In the breeze.  Reading about President Polk winning a war that expanded the United States by one-third.  And left my neighbors not very interested in how many fireworks I am not going to shoot off today.

29 comments:

John Calypso said...

Here in our part of Mexico if a single day holiday is on a Wednesday they simply make it a five day weekend - no problema - Viva Mexico! Where every day is Saturday for the Calypsos and there is no such thing as a single day holiday. ;-)

Francisco said...

The beauty of being retired is that everyday is a holiday.  Although we can never go on vacation.
 

DonCuevas said...

We are in the midst of extensive preparations for a family cookout in the back yard. That is if the sun comes out and there's no further rain.

There's a lot of work involved, so some of us may take a day or two off afterwards to recover.

Saludos, Don Cuevas 

Kim G said...

I love my country, but am a bit discouraged by the idiocy and profligacy of the federal government these days.

Here in Mexico, I plan to celebrate by looking into buying a house in DF.

Saludos,

Kim G
DF, Mexico
Where we love the fact that this place is New York City, Washington DC, and San Francisco rolled into one crazy Mexican taco at less than half the price of any of the above.   ¡Viva México!

sparks said...

It's also the last day of school and graduation day in Mexico.  Just attended at our small local school in Pinal Villa

Ireneadler51 said...

No angst here. It is just a nice break in the middle of a work week. Will spend the day taking advantage of the sunshine and find outdoor things to do.

Andean said...

Most people are off today, regardless that it is a Wednesday. And most people have made it a five day weekend -- Celebrando el Cuatro de Julio -- everyday will be a cookout, or cook-in, if there is rain. 
Where it is not where you are, but who you are, to know how to celebrate.

Steve Cotton said...

We seem to have the same holiday calendars.

Steve Cotton said...

I thought that was true, as well.  But my trips abroad this year certainly felt like vacations.  Vacations from what, I am not so certain.

Steve Cotton said...

Enjoy your gathering.  Last year I attended a Fourth of July party in San Miguel.  I could have been in Houston.

Steve Cotton said...

For me, it is a great place to visit.  I suspect my cosmopolitan days are behind me.

Steve Cotton said...

I didn't know that.  Now, the true tourist season will begin in Melaque.

Steve Cotton said...

It is also a sunny day here.  Maybe I should fire up the pig grill.

Barbara said...

You'd be hard pressed to identify a holiday here in Jocotepec.  Pretty much everything stays open at least until 2pm on any holiday.....Christmas, Easter.....you know, the big ones down here.  

On the other hand, Steve, you should come over to Sahuayo for the Tlahualiles festival on July 25.  Stores may be open, but it is parade central and not to be missed!

Nancy said...

Today's favorite bumper sticker:  "God bless the whole world...No exceptions!"

Kim G said...

 My parents live in a somewhat redneck area of Northern California and have such a bumper sticker on their car, and take a surprising amount of flack for it.

But I'm with you. (And them.)

No exceptions.

Kim G

Elke Gazvoda said...

Just another day in paradise. For the first time EVER, we're not BBQing and having people over. We're going to Seamasters for dinner...

Steve Cotton said...

 Well, I am taking the day off.

Steve Cotton said...

Strange that anyone would react negatively.  After all, it is the very essence of the Gospel message.  We are to pray even for our enemies.  Best theological bumper sticker I have heard of.

Steve Cotton said...

I went to Hawaii today to get some BBQ fixings.  I ended up buying ingredients for an egg dish, instead.  The pig grill will remain unmolested for another day.

Steve Cotton said...

Unfortunately. I will be flying north to deliver a speech.  But I need to see that part of Mexico one of these days.

Laurie Matherne said...

I was surprised at the fireworks I have heard today. Normally, the Fourth of July is ignored by most, except a few Americans in the city. Honduras emulates the US more and more. If only we were more worthy of that adoration. 

Mcotton said...

It has been quiet today here in Bend.  I kept busy washing and ironing, weed pulling, filling the bird feeder and cleaning their bird bath, plus all the other things that popped up needing attention.  Now I am going to fix me a burrito and eat.

Steve Cotton said...

Well, that was an interesting Fourth.  No BBQ at Darrel's?

Steve Cotton said...

No fireworks here. My neighbors must ave used them up ay the last saint day.  And the automatic weapon firing is usually reserved for New Year's Eve.

Mcotton said...

Now that it is late enough and dark enough, the fireworks are going on,  I stepped out on the porch to enjoy all the colors and sounds.  The displays are not as elaborate this year.  It seems the economy has taken its tole on the fireworks.

Tancho said...

Luckey you, your part of the country still has some sense to it. We are visiting N.Cal, where the firework police are in force! Seems the overworked and over paid fire departments banded together and passed some nanny laws to arrest anyone wanting to light of a Roman Candle.....Kinda funny since those groups depend on a burning field or garage for their justification, another goofy contradiction.....

Steve Cotton said...

I did miss the fireworks last night.  But nature filled the gap with a distant lightning show.

Steve Cotton said...

Reminds me of the twist in Fahrenheit 451.