Independent Mexico...independent mind

Tonight is the 200th anniversary of Mexico's independency. 200 years ago, a priest gathered the people of Mexico with an unusual cry of freedom, ringing the bell of a local church and shouting: "viva Mexico!". 200 years ago that act symbolized the beginning of a free country, then a constitution followed stating, among other things:

"...en libertad de constituirse del modo que más convenga a su felicidad, y con representantes que pueden manifestar su voluntad y sus designios, comienza a hacer uso de tan preciosos dones y declara solemnemente por medio de la Junta Suprema del Imperio, que es una nación soberana e independiente de la antigua España..."28 de septiembre de 1821

"...freedom to form in the way that suits their happiness, and with representatives who can express its will and its designs, begins to make use of such precious gifts and solemnly declare by the Supreme Board of the Empire, that is a sovereign and independent nation from Spain" September 28, 1821.

200 years had past and Mexico, the free country, is not in its best shape. Economically, politically and socially, the nation has challenges that are only aggravated by the lukewarm actions of the politicians. Frustrating it is to see how the crime gets more organized while the law enforcers get, well, not so much.

But not everything is as scary as it seems; all countries have their bad angle, and usually is the one that gets more exposed.  Mexico is also a country full of tradition, culture, gastronomy (is not just tacos, you know?), music, bright minds (does color TV and contraceptive pills ring a bell?), architecture (from prehispanic ruins and pyramids to colonial cities, to art deco buildings and eco-friendly construction), hard work-high spirited people. Mexico is a rich magnificent land offering a wide variety of landscapes, climates, spectacular mountain ranges, water falls, pristine beaches, deserts and jungle... the majority of it, still unexplored, virgin...tourist attractions, such as spring breakers in Cancun, tequila drinking Cinco de Mayo parties and a stiff - off tune mariachi band is just the cheesy-cliché part of a country that is still a mistery, even for the very own mexicans.

I was born in Sonora, a northwest state bordering Arizona. A state that has been taking a big hit by the drug cartels, corruption, injustice and individual interests...but my state nonetheless. And today, I want to open my heart and think of Mexico as the great nation that I want it to be, I invite you to free up your mind and think outside the box...to believe that an independent mind is capable of anything.

Sonora: the real one.