#1: Going to Mexico

First, educated Chicanos love going to Mexico. Why? It’s the safest and easiest way they can say that they have “traveled internationally.” Also, they like to go and play tour guides for their white and black friends (as if their broken Spanish is really a big help in trying to find a taxi). Watch them try to order a beer. And listen to how they get their verb tenses wrong. (They’ll say, ‘Dame el cuento, por favor’ instead of “Dame la cuenta, por favor.’ The waiter will break out in story instead of bringing the bill.)

ECHs, however, like going to the Homeland because they think that by venturing to some area in the country, they will get closer to their roots. This is true for Chicanos who visit Mexico City (even though abuelos are from Juarez) and for Chicanos who travel to Cancun (even though their great abuelos are from San Luis Potosi). Somewhere, in that vast land, ECHs are looking for answers. When they don’t find them, they sometimes get frustrated and drink a little too much there like all other Americans.