Mexico has raw materials that Switzerland does not have: iron ore, coal, petroleum, gold, silver, copper and more. In the state of Veracruz, tobacco and coffee are grown. In the state of Jalisco, the blue agaves, the raw materials for Mexico’s national drink: Tequila. Two large breweries, Tecate and Modelo, ensure that the Mexicans do not suffer from thirst. And it is a very thirsty time now. We drink more than four liters a day (no, not beer), but water!

Now, at the beginning of June, is the high time for the mangoes. The trees are full of these deliciously sweet fruits. On the side of the road they are offered in boxes that cost less than a large Pacifico beer, 1.2 liters, which is called Ballenón (large whale). (Such a beer is enough for Roberto and both of us in the evening!) The papayas are also ripe, they hang heavily on the thin stems. Every now and then one crashes under the weight of the ripe fruit. And there are the cute little bananas! And there are also pineapples, ciruelas, goyabas and pitayas – cactus fruits. No wonder we eat less bread than usual with this range of fruits. This is also because I can’t bake bread here – like at Charly’s!

PS: At temperatures above 40° C the appetite drops markedly. This is good for my line! (Robertos place is situated at 900 m above sea level; the one of Charly, at 1,700 m – it is a few degrees cooler up there.)