What makes a country a developing country? Is it the fact that they do not have running water and indoor toilets like my stay in Central Africa? Is it that there is running water but no hot water as in Central America? Is it that most cook outside as in Uganda and there is only a common outdoor toilet, though there is running water in the shower?
Mexico is far advanced from the above. Yet, like most of the Central American and South American countries I have visited, there is much that is limited. Consider:
- A home of small space with little room for individual bedrooms,
- A small bathroom with lukewarm water to shower and only a shower, not a bath,
- Limited items in the stores,
- Individuals in homes and on the streets selling their wares,
- No health insurance. Limited hospital care.
- Primary education which may or may not be government funded.
- Infrastructure is poor or poorly maintained.
- Transportation is frequent but crowded and roughly driven.
- Yet there is good social welfare, such as orphanages
Take my new home for instance:
This is the living room, dining room and kitchen..
Everything is done here, other than sleeping.
The bathroom is basic, no problem, but there is only lukewarm water.
And as in most of Central America, one must put used toilet paper into a basket.
Though Rosa has a washer (other side) many homes only have a scrubbing
area like this. All clothes is dried on a line. With the beautiful hot weather,
why not!
I have been given the only bedroom with a door (lower picture). Rosa sleeps in an area at the far end of the kitchen and a divider allows for another bed for her daughter.
The reason I show all this, is that one has to ask if Mexico is a developing country. The main roads are excellent, flights go here and there as do nice coaches. Yet Rosa, who is a primary school teacher's aid is living like this. To be noted:
AVERAGE SALARY per month IN US DOLLARS
United States $4055 Info as of 2015
U.K. $3075
Canada $2283
Mexico $1018
Brazil $ 788
Slovak $ 706
So where does Mexico stand? Not all that far off from Canada. I think we need another category e.g. Low, high, and medium developed countries. I am thinking that I am not needed here. It really is a medium to high (the high being in richer areas) developed country. What do you think?





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