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Cinco de Mayo is one of those holidays like St.
Patrick's day: people back in the old country don't
even get a day off from school, but their immigrant
paisanos in the United States get to go out and get
hammered. Cinco de Mayo is exactly the kind of
holiday you'd expect to find located within four
days of Mayday. "Cinco" is a holiday whose origins
are, perhaps deservedly, obscure. Originally the
term meant exactly what it sounds like--and sink
full of mayonaise. How this would have happened and
why it should be celebrated is mysterious, but just
one more example of how little we gringos know
about our amigos South of the Border. Those who
have elected to remain south of the border, that
is. Why, for instance are so many Spanish love songs
about cortisone? Why the big deal about La Bamba,
but not the Samba, mamba, or Caramba? Why do the
license plates on the back of cars say "Front"?
When the bull wins a bullfight, why don't they give
him the matador's ears? It's all pretty perplexing,
all right, so the Weekend Warrior has thoughtfully
provided this little glossary to straighten out
some of the terms you might come across at a Cinco
de Mayo celebration. Mariachis.....mexican equivalents of Pagliachi,
but not as sad Hope that helps. Of course San Diegans have the
novel option of going over to Tijuana and
celebrating the Mexican holiday in actual Mexico.
In which case here are several phrases guaranteed
to make your international visit a bit more
memorable. Hasta Lumbago, Baby. WEEKEND WARRIOR'S TJ PHRASEBOOK Good Morning Bogus Dias Good Evening Bonus Nachos Thank you Muchas Garcias Please Poor Sabor Which bus to the border? Autobus por Guadalajara? Where are the mariachis? Me gustan maricons A light beer, please. Doble tequila,por favor. I'm going to be sick. Mas Tequila, con gusano. To the bullring,cabbie. Hasta un bordello, pronto. Buy you a drink, miss? Cuanto dinero, puta? What's wrong, officer? Chinga tu madre, cabron. I'm an American citizen. Soy loco y con pistola. Call the American Consul. Soy traficante de drugos. Why am I in jail? Vender mis favores sexuales. |
