How The World Works: Mexico

Andrew is teaching me how the world works:

“Because people who have seasonal jobs in the states—landscapers, some types of contractors, etc.—they don’t like working in the colder months. They buy a few cars in the states in the fall, fill ‘em with stuff, drive them to Central America, sell the stuff, and then live off the profits for the winter like kings and queens!”

Mateo took a bite of his grouper taco.

Still chewing, he added, “Hey, I make $1,000 a week busting my butt driving a cab in Manhattan. Why would I stay there in the winter when it’s freezing when I could relax by the beach for a few months in my home country? It doesn’t make sense. Once I sell these cars, I’ll relax for three months in El Salvador and have a little vacation. Little! Hah!” He laughed at the simplicity of it all.