The blight on the communities continues and sadly will continue because someone somewhere sometime figured that it was artistic expression……bunk! The last past generations no longer wish to express themselves possibly in ways that we did growing up, in sports, hobbies, having after school jobs, which I think is extremely sad since somehow it became illegal, to channel excess energy and provide some time work ethics.
Now the kids get money from their parents and blow it on whatever without understanding the toil that it took to earn that. Therefore tagging as well as excesses of other sorts have unbalanced what was the norm for years. Certainly there is no immediate gratification for litter free streets and clean buildings. Possibly more punishment for the offenders might work, but someone would just call it illegal or not politically correct….in that lies the frustration of the teetering value system we have grown found of. It doesn’t doesn’t help either that parents wanting to be “pals” with their offspring do not want to discipline them away from competeing value systems….

Tancho – I think the thing that is most bewildering to me is how these young people do not see the damage they are placing on their own communities. Are they truly so brain dead that they don’t mind fouling their own nests – I assume they do not care and their expression by way of tagging is a message to the rest of us that are not interested in a well lit descent place to live.

Tegucigalpa has never been a pretty city. Now it’s downright ugly. Since the Zelaya crisis this summer, the city has been deluged with graffiti writers. I am continually reading words that are offensive, political, and incite violence. There’s a nice statue near the airport that was defaced. Thank God I haven’t seen an increase in graffiti in the past 2 months, but I am hoping more people would take the effort to paint over all the mess soon. Teguz is in need of a makeover!

John, unfortunately, it is now recognized as ‘valid’ form of expression and even taught at your neighborhood Colleges and Universities, both HERE in Mex. and USA.

It is a horrible situation, but then, I see most of Pablo Picazzo’s paintings and look pretty much the same as these.

Have you ever seen the movie Idiocracy? Perhaps we are living in the twilight zone.

Laurie – Tagging walls for one’s political point of view – hmmm – see Leah’s comment.

Ignacio – how could defacing others property be a valid form of expression? Like Picasso or not (I do) we can enjoy or not his work in art museums and books – not on the walls of innocent people.

Leah – Yes I have seen that film on the dumbing down of people – perhaps that is what is going on. Very sad.

John, I was being sarcastic, of course I do NOT agree to defacing or otherwise using other’s property without their consent.

I was trying to say that unfortunately, this practice has been ‘approved’ at both USA and Mexico, by being offered in the curriculum of the Colleges and Universities.

What you are saying has a Sinapoe soluion, but only if wanted. Quite frankly, I wish you would concentate and write more about the good life that I know is there too. You are at your best when you do that. Buen Dia Ami.

Ignacio – I think I understood and was playing along – except for your not liking Picasso

Carlos – A simple solution – pray tell? It truly is wanted. Thank you for encouraging the Good Life – it is here

When I was in Xico a few years ago, I pitched a tent at the upper Texolo falls and then walked to and from town. I was annoyed by the litter too, especially in the area by the falls that was otherwise so beautiful. One day I took matters into my own hands and went on a trash sweep of the area. It was very satisfying. I hope to live in Mexico some day, and Xico is certainly a destination I’d consider. If so, I like to think I’d take on volunteer trash sweeps as a hobby — show the locals what a childhood of being lectured by Woodsy Owl can do to a boy.

Too bad your neighbors can’t afford to paint a wall with blackboard paint, thus giving it a specific purpose, or do as we did when our kids were preschoolers 35+ years ago, tape a long (8′-12′) section of blank newsprint to the floor, and encourage them to scribble, doodle, and draw to their hearts desire.

Is “blackboard” paint even sold here, and does it adhere to block/plaster covered walls?

In addition to the graffiti problem, there’s the awful problem of refuse on beaches, often left by locals, who seem to think that walking away from their pile of beer bottles, and other debris is acceptable.

I like Moorlock’s suggestion of spearheading a “trash pick up” and leading by example. Perhaps we should all carry a garbage bag along with us on walks, or similar casual outings, and do a little picking up along the way.

I’m thinking now, that I should keep one handy in my “string bag” and do a little cleaning up when I’m walking or whatever.

Juan… When I came down in ’67 the graffiti was all political in nature. Death to Capitalism…Free the Opressed…Gringo go home.. stuff like that. At least it was readable. Now it would take a hieroglyphics expert to figure it out. They say the best thing to do is paint over it right away, again and again until the Graffiti artist gets frustrated. If its a gang name like los lobos or los vatos I write over the top of it Los Gay…. just to give them a Reputation. If they think a rival gang did it maybe they’ll kill each other. Signs of the times… I see magazines on the newstands they tell how to paint graffiti. Puebla has passed some strong laws but it doesnt seem to slow them down. Punk movies out of hollywood make graffiti look romantic,,,bad import.