For this weeks Ciclothon, there was a Japanese flavoured treat on Reforma. Which included, rather bizarrely, a Lucha Libre contest. I’m still trying to figure out how this is Japanese. But what the hell. I like Lucha Libre. Ok, so they didn’t manage to get Mistico to turn up, but it was still a bit of fun.
I often hear expatriates bemoaning the fact that outside influences are ruining Mexican culture. My experience is that Mexican culture can easily digest anything and meld it into the culture in a distinctly Mexican way. I recently had strawberry rollup pancakes in Puerto Vallarta marketed as “French crepes.” They came with chili powder and lime juice spread on top. And they were good.
Steve, I’m not 100% sure what you meant, but are you suggesting that masked wrestling from the US has influenced (for good or bad) Mexican culture? I just ask because Lucha Libre is the original….masked wrestling is a Mexican phenomenon that was exported to the US.
I could have got you wrong of course. But I still know what you mean. Mexicans take many foreign elements and add them to their culture with a very Mexican twist all the time. Wal Mart excepted.
Of course, that’s been happening for hundreds of years. Ever since the Spanish came at least.
Pingback: Coliseo, AAA taping schedule, LA Park « luchablog
Lucha libre is getting popular in japan. Form time to time they have international competitions with mexican, japanese and wrestlers from the united states.
If i remember correctly. last time the japanese won, beaten the mexicans in mexico.
Lucha Libre has just got to be more interesting to watch than sumo wrestling! Although to be honest I’d have kinda liked to have seen a sumo bout there!
there was a total mix of Japanese and Mexican cultural stuff because the festival celebrated 400 years of friendship between mexico and japan…
Well spotted! See, this is my problem. I whizz by everything on my bike, pausing only to snap and shoot, never to ask!