Our trip was packed however, with our knowledgeable tour guide, great driver and an excellent group of travelers we managed to cover all the highlights. During the trip, we learned about the culture, business struggles and the revolutions that advanced the city by leaps. The Mexican people are true entertainers, sentimentalist, and proud of their ancestors and culture. Their colorful perspective on everyday life is evident in their business practices. Throughout our trip, we visited companies who openly shared their thoughts with strangers about their insights on conducting business in Mexico and in the United States. Interestingly, Mexican businesses’ feel short-handed by the NAFTA agreement. They had expected to gain more business contacts and better communication ties with the participants. Essentially, Mexican government failed to address the impact of one-side negotiations for businesses struggling to compete globally. In my profession, we are aware of the opportunities we have in medicine. Many patients come from Mexico to receive treatment they could otherwise not get. Mexico is making progress, however in a male dominating society, women continue to neglect their health. I am grateful of the luxuries and the independence women have in the United States.

One of the most interesting moments for me was when I learned what the Mexican flag represented to the Mexican people and their country’s history and how I interpreted the meaning by what I saw on the trip. Green is religion, which is represented by the strong Catholic influence demonstrated by the large and decorative churches. White is independence, for which the Indians bravely defended, colonial Mexicans fought so fearlessly to win in 1810 and what the future Mexican seeks with their northern economic alliances. Red is union, the color that symbolizes the country’s ability to come together as families to enjoy the beauty of the country during difficult economic times. Centrally placed is the eagle, that holds the visions of the Teotihuacan’s had when they first settled and the present day Mexicans as they look to their political leaders to carry them successfully through the next century.