Growing up in Mexico

Being one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, with 16 boroughs and more than 300 neighborhoods, Mexico City is a fascinating capital that provides its visitors with plenty of opportunities for sightseeing, entertainment and cultural experiences.

Now, as she is far from her hometown, Norma Casillas Pitol, an exchange student from Mexico reminisces about the place where she grew up.  Norma was born in Mexio City in the 1990s and she remembers this period as extremely favorable both for the country and for herself.  Similar to many other countries in the 90’s, Mexico was going through a transition period.

“At that time we were changing our president. We had a party  that was ruling the country for over 70 years, so people were hoping for good things and positive changes. Most people were kind of employed and we did not have as many problems with unemployment as we do now. Generally, we were economically stable.”

Norma loved living in the big city and she remembers spending her childhood years playing in the park outside her house and riding her bike around the neighborhood.

Every morning she would get up at 7am and walk to her kindergarten. After her classes, Norma enjoyed going to Hawaiian dances in the afternoon. Then it was time for games and entertainment. Apart from the mainstream hide-and-seek, Mexican children enjoyed playing games such as Pisoton – trying to step on other players, and the so-called “Stop” game.

“There are a lot of people in a circle. They usually choose the country that they want to be. One of the players declares war on another and then they have to run. When the person who has declared war says “Stop!” the other needs to stop. Then the first person has to reach them by calculating the steps in advance. If they manage to do it, they win.”

Norma liked Mexican music, but she was more fond of performers, such as Queen and Robby Williams.

Her favorite books and movies in the 90’s were The Little Mermaid, Anastasia and “everything related to princesses.”

When it came to food, Norma was a great lover of traditional Mexican cuisine.               Meals prepared with tortilla and tacos, Chilaquiles and Fajitas were and still are among her favorite tastes.

One of the most precious memories Norma keeps of the 90’s is going to interactive museums together with her parents.

“These museums are specially designed for children, because they don’t just give you information, but also encourage you to do and arrange things with your hands, so you learn while having fun.”

Norma finds it a little bit disturbing, as she sees all those children unable to entertain themselves without their iPods and computers in the technological era that we live in.

“I am glad that I learnt to have fun just by being close to nature, running around, playing in the park and riding my bike.”