Cuanto?
Last year in Mazatlan the Mexican Peso was about 10-11 to the USD. This time the Peso trades about 15 to the dollar. I have been asking Mexicans how the fall in the Peso affects them.
One waiter at La Paraje, The Place, when asked if they had raised prices on their menu said, “If we put a sticker over the price every time the Peso has fallen this year, the stickers would be an inch thick. We plan on a new menu next year.” Asked where he thought the Peso would end up he said, “About 20 to the dollar!”
Most say it is great for tourists. “Your dollar buys so much more.” That’s true. Last night we had dinner at Los Zarapes and the tab was 676 Pesos. Last year that would have been about $67. Now that 676 Pesos is about $45. I asked a pulmonia driver, “Cuanto Pedro y Lolas?” “How much to take us to Pedro y Lolas?” He said $10.” I said, “Pesos?” He told me 100 Pesos!
They do acknowledge that imported goods at markets are more expensive, but they say, “We just have to pull in our belts.” A particular philosophical comment came from that same waiter. “I ask myself, can I do anything about this situation. If the answer is no, I just pull in my belt.”
It seems that many are very reliant on tourists and construction of condos and timeshares. For them the fall in the Peso brings more Americans with USDs and that means income and jobs.
I guess it is just bad everywhere…. Our dollar has fallen, but Mexico’s is even worse. What a mess.