When Audrey Hoffnung came as a very young bride to Mexico, she had stars in her eyes and, fortunately, a good sense of adventure and sportsmanship.
She was thrust into a country and a culture that she was completely unprepared for. Trying to meld into a German family that had emigrated to a Mexico with few supermarkets, highways, private telephones or English-speaking people sometimes seemed like a Herculean task. But she managed to not only survive, but to thrive.
Hoffnung is well known as the musical director (she had extensive musical training as a child and a young woman) of many professional and community theater productions in Mexico City, Guadalajara and at Lakeside. She was the initial force behind the Jalisco State Choir and formed countless successful singing groups. She is still musically active. She directs a Barbershop choir that she formed and has recently put together a “pop” music quintet, “The Lollipops,” that you’ll soon see and hear at various venues in the Lakeside area.
Her most recent book, “The Mexico I Remember,” is a series of verbal snapshots of middle-class life in mid-20th century Mexico. Her perceptions remain surprisingly those of a young, energetic and hopeful woman aching to experience all that there was. From her description of the cobblestone streets of Guadalajara to industrialized Monterrey and water shortages in Mexico City, Hoffnung tells her story with joy.
Here, Hoffnung talks with the Reporter’s Jeanne Chaussee about her early days in Mexico.
Your first home in Mexico was in Guadalajara. What was the city like in 1949?
Many of the main streets were still cobblestone, a lot like the ones in Ajijic. There was livestock roaming around all over the place: cows and horses. Of course, we were living near Los Arcos, which at that time marked the city limits. There were lots of little neighborhood stores but no supermarkets. We lived in Guadalajara for the first year we were married and then we moved to Mexico City.
Mexico City was already a sizable city at that time, but nothing like the 28 million who live there now.
There were two and a half million people then. It was manageable, though. I could find my way all around the city. I drove everywhere with no problem. I couldn’t do that any more. I actually sometimes get lost even in Guadalajara now. It’s changed so much.
Early on during your life in Mexico were you conscious of political or national problems?
If you would count attending lectures by communist artists like Rivera and Siqueros … It didn’t take long to figure out that the “gringos” weren’t the most popular people living in this country. We were tolerated and they saw us as a source of income. I suspect that to some extent that is still the case. Mexican people are polite and sometimes foreigners misinterpret that as actually being friendly. Much of the time, though, I’m more comfortable with Mexicans than I am with expats. It probably helps that I learned to speak Spanish “by ear” so I sound like one of them when I talk.
I notice that you often use the term gringo. Why? Some foreigners find the word offensive.
That depends upon how it’s used. Sometimes it’s loving and friendly. I had a student who called me “La Gringita” (the Little Gringa). From him it was always warm and friendly.
You said that you doubted that Mexicans really liked expats. Do you know why they don’t like us?
Because we’re different. Our language is different. Out demeanor is different. Sometimes you don’t like those who are different from you – especially if you aren’t very analytical. I do think that many one-on-one relationships between English-speaking folks and Mexicans are very good, but the general relationship is often strained. I was often embarrassed by Americans when I first came to Mexico. Many of them were so loud and so incensed when Mexicans didn’t understand English. I think Americans are better and more experienced travelers than they used to be – not quite so obnoxious.
What were the things you would have most liked to change during your first years here?
I had a hard time finding food that I was used to. I couldn’t find tender meat anywhere. Shopping was a lot of work. We had to go from store to store to store to accomplish what was necessary.
What are the most drastic changes that you’ve seen and when did they come?
Technology has come to Mexico and they are really good at it. The roads are good now. Education is improving. It used to be that most kids only went to school for one or two years of primary. Today, finishing Jr. High is a requirement. I think the kids are smarter in general.
Are you glad that your life brought you to Mexico?
Oh, my yes! I’ve been able to do things here that I would never have been able to do in the United States because I didn’t have a degree. I’ve been able to form and lead musical groups, teach language, meet incredible people, do the musical direction for many productions. All in all, it’s been a really good fit, offering me endless opportunities. I’ve had a fabulous life here.
Audrey Hoffnung will present her book “The Mexico I Remember” at a book signing and special art exhibit on Friday, May 25, 4-6 p.m. at the Velazquez Gallery, Calle 16 de Septiembre 7 in Ajijic. Hoffning also authored her autobiography “The Magical Symphony of My Life” and a musical play, “Shandor,” based on her father’s life.