### What Mexico Has Taught Me
I’m a docent at the Autry Museum of the American West, where I guide students on tours during the school year. Whether they are in grade school or older, I always begin with the impressive exhibit of a huge stuffed bison. This gives me the opportunity to explain how Native Americans utilized every part of the bison for essentials like food, tools, and clothing—demonstrating their ingenuity and the importance of trade among tribes. Similarly, Pacific Coast natives crafted goods from ocean resources, with shells trading as valuable commodities far inland.
This lesson of value and trade resonates personally when I’m preparing for trips to Mexico. Friends frequently request items they find better or more affordable there. For instance, Voltaren gel, stronger and less expensive in Mexico, quickly became a popular request among friends after they learned I could bring it back.
Coffee is another sought-after item; the diverse beans from Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Veracruz are favored by a family friend. Cuban cigars and locally-produced olive oil also find their way into my luggage. Menthol cigarettes, banned in California, were once a request I had to decline due to legal concerns.
Over three decades of visiting Mexico, I’ve witnessed and engaged in a small-scale form of international trade, providing goods going north and bringing requests south, like un-baked buttermilk biscuits or high-end American craft beer. While some exchanges lead to amusing or frustrating stories, they highlight the cultural connections we share through trade.
Whether bringing mole sauce that helps mend friendships (or tries to) or just sharing a case of cherished IPA with a friend, these experiences enrich my journeys. It’s a reminder that while borders and customs differ, shared desires and commerce often bring us closer together.
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### Further Insights into Cross-Border Commerce
#### Traditional Trade Routes Still Live
Mexico and the United States have long been intertwined through trade, harkening back to indigenous trade networks. These connections continue today, though modernized, through items ranging from pharmaceuticals to artisanal goods.
#### E-commerce’s Role in Modern Trade
With the rise of e-commerce, both local and cross-border trade have taken on new dynamics. Platforms allow Mexicans and Americans to purchase and exchange goods like never before, reducing the need for physical travel, yet also changing the landscape of traditional trade.
#### Cultural Exchange Through Trade
Just as goods cross borders, so do cultural elements. From culinary traditions shared via ingredients like mole and coffee to cultural artifacts discussed in museums, trade fosters mutual understanding and appreciation beyond commercial transactions.
This multifaceted trade relationship between Mexico and the U.S. highlights a blend of economic necessity and cultural enrichment, revealing just how deeply interconnected our societies continue to be.