While I was moving around London last week in the tube (subway, for the rest of us), all I kept thinking about was “minding the gap”. It was not just the gap between the train and the platform at some of the stations which I was thinking of, but all those gaps that exist between us and other people, countries, ideologies, etcetera.

For example, there is a gap between my son and me. After a year living in London, he is now a different person from the teenage boy who left home to live abroad by himself. There is a gap now that will help him become a better citizen of the world, as opposed to those youngsters who haven’t had the opportunity to travel or live abroad.

There is a gap between my generation and my children’s, just as I realize how different (and difficult) it was in my adolescence to move around, communicate and insert you in a somewhat closed society. Now, people become part of a multicultural and flat world where the Internet and social networks keep you in touch with friends and family, no matter where you are. Mobility has never been so great!

This was my second visit to Emilio in London in less than a year, just because I probably mind the gap too much, a gap created by his physical absence that feels wider and wider as days passed by. Even if I can get in touch with him through web calls via Skype, or cell phone and e-mail, I needed to kiss and hug him.

So I wonder: How could my mother make it through the year I spent in Italy in the mid 70’s? We spoke only twice by phone in 12 months! And she didn’t have the opportunity to visit me, probably because plane tickets were unaffordable to most people. This is certainly a wider gap than the one I am now experiencing with my children’s generation. I wrote letters to all my friends in Mexico, my mom and my dear yaya (my grandmother), and I had to wait almost a month to get a response. This is now unthinkable to the kids that were born with cheap telephone calls and instant messaging.

So these and other gaps plagued my brain while listening to the endless loop in the tube: mind the gap. There are so many gaps to mind about for those that don’t have as many opportunities to become citizens of the world…and among them the vast majority of Mexicans. This is a real gap that we all have to mind about.

Monicami :: Jun.30.2008 :: Familiy business :: No Comments »

Regreso de Orlando y me encuentro con la creciente y justificada indignación de mis compañeros corredores del Bosque de Tlalpan ante la intención del gobierno del Distrito Federal de instalar ahí, en esa zona ecológica protegida, en forma permanente la pista de hielo que ocupó el Zócalo.

Yo soy corredora aficionada y en buena medida le debo al Bosque de Tlalpan y a mis amigos corredores los tres maratones que he completado. Es un privilegio contar con una zona natural protegida al sur de la ciudad, pero quienes no practican ninguna actividad deportiva parecen ignorarlo. Yo quisiera invitar respetuosamente al señor delegado en Tlapan, el C.P. Guillermo Sánchez Torres, a que recorra el Bosque y experimente por sí mismo la delicia de respirar en la montaña y de disfrutar de un pedacito de naturaleza enmedio del asfalto.

Sé que el señor Sánchez Torres quiere complacer a otros segmentos de la población y por eso ha iniciado una serie de conciertos de rock en el Bosque, quizá sin medir las consecuencias en términos de todo tipo de contaminación (desechos inorgánicos, orgánicos, contaminación visual y auditiva) que esto implica.

Yo quisiera invitarlo también a que platique con la Asociación de Corredores del Bosque de Tlapan, con sus más de 10,000 asociados, para que conozca las muchas acciones que han llevado a cabo para la conservación y protección de ese espacio, como ha sido la donación de más de $2.5 millones de pesos al Fideicomiso de Tlalpan, además de diversas actividades que cotidianamente ejecutan sus miembros a favor del deporte y la salud.
El propio gobierno del Distrito Federal decretó esta área como zona ecológica protegida, por lo que yo espero que el señor delegado Sánchez Torres aplique el reglamento y ejerza la autoridad.

Si desea ponerse en contacto con nosotros, puede hacerlo por esta vía. Lo mismo Usted, querido lector, si es corredor y quiere apoyarnos para que protejamos las pocas áreas verdes que aún quedan en la ciudad de México, lo invito a que me deje un comentario.

Monicami :: Jan.24.2008 :: Familiy business :: 1 Comment »

I took this week off in order to have some time to spend with my son Emilio. He is 18 years old, just got off high school and on the 15th of August he is flying to London, where he will attend a three month Music course, but all together he will be away for almost six months. I am thrill, but I miss him already.

London is an exciting place to visit, and I am sure will be a bust for Emilio in more than one aspect. Studying music in the capital of rock must be a dream come true. Emilio began playing acustic guitar at age 7, and move later to piano lessons, then drums and during the last six or seven months he is being playing the bass guitar with a rock group. While attending this school in London he will have to find a job to support himself.

I had my own experience abroad when I was 14 years old, but it was a totally different story. I went to North Italy (Finale Ligure, to be precise) to meet my grandfather Francesco. I lived with him and his long time fiance Bianca. Even if I didn’t attend school because of reasons that will be annoying to explain, I learned Italian very well. Francesco was my private teacher for that matter, and a very disciplined one. I also met lots of kids my age and had a terrific one year sojourn in my father’s country. That is why I couldn’t be more supportive of Emilio having the opportunity to live and study abroad, and all by himself.

Anyway, as a protective Mexican-Italian mother, I appreciate any advice from you, tips and suggestions. Please, do so!

Mónicami :: Aug.09.2007 :: Familiy business :: 1 Comment »