In response to my “Cruise Ships Por Peñasco? Just Say No!” piece last week a reader posted a comment suggesting that El Gitano (aka: MOI) is less than positive about Peñasco. This person, “anonymous”, wrote: “…and the frequently grumpy and negative Gypsy…”
That comment was followed a few hours later by another “anonymous” person who apparently shared the same opinion, stating that: “I don't know why Gypsy is negative, which is why I don't like to look at this site anymore.”
Well, I believe of the hundreds of my ‘rants’ that have been published in the RPTides over the years most have been anything but negative (about Peñasco or Mexico). But in case you two “anonymous” people happen to drop in this week for a peek let me kick off the New Year with some really great news that will clearly demonstrate that I’m not as gloomy as you both suggest.
Starting January 1, 2012 the hard-working Mexican labor force in this wonderful Nation is getting a long overdue pay raise: Their minimum wage will increase, on average and depending on the ‘zone’ (region) wherein they live/work, a 4.1% increase. That means they will now earn about $4.20 (USD) per day!
And that good news gets even better. I read, for example, that in some ‘regions’ (there are 3) in Mexico the local bartender will be earning a salary of $5.49 per shift (day); that the maid cleaning the motel/hotel room will bag as much as $5.80 per-shift (day); and that security guard watching out for everyone’s safety and belongings, etc. will rake in as much as $5.36 for pulling the graveyard shift!
Most everyone welcomes this news but some local working folks are concerned that the cost of a kilo of tortillas will continue to increase and that their new-found windfalls may further be eroded by an increase in other goods and services including, perhaps, federal, state and/or local taxes.
Now why they are being negative is beyond my wildest imagination. After all, if they work really hard and save up their Pesos an (e.g.) electrician making $5.91 (per day) can, once in a while, take his spouse and children to the neatest US type ‘Brand’ fast-food restaurant chain (like, say, a Burger King) and for a mere 4-5 days worth of labor he/she can treat the entire family to a feast befitting Royalty!
Feliz Año Nuevo!
A Gypsy can always dream!
¡Viva Puerto Peñasco y México!
Gypsy
elgitanopenasco@gmail.com
