Cinco de Mayo

It is the 5th of May. That is a big holiday in Mexico. While USA was busy fighting a Civil War, the French invaded Mexico and placed the Archduke of Austria as King/Emperor of Mexico violating the Monroe Doctrine. Since USA was occupied with its own war, it had no resources to enforce the Doctrine. Soon the Mexicans expelled the French themselves and killed their king. I can't remember what happened to his wife. A calendar I saw Sunday had today labeled as Battle of Puebla (southeast of Mexico City). That must be what Cinco de Mayo is celebrating. The past few years has brought hordes of Mexican immigrants to Iowa so the past year there has been sporadic celebrations of the holiday. I associate Cinco de Mayo with being called a white American bitch for the first time in my life. A lady who I just sold merchandise to asked if I celebrate Cinco de Mayo. I said no. She asked why. I said because I'm not Mexican. She exploded in an array of Spanish. Her friend snapped at me that this lady was speaking to me. I explained I could not understand a word she just said. Well lady leaves the store calling me in English a white American bitch. Her friend interogates me of my hertiage. Sorry to disappoint them, but I'm not Mexican nor descended from a Mexican family. Her friend shouts that I'm not really sorry I'm not Mexican. That is not what I said. She finally leaves yelling in Spanish so I have no idea what she said. My manager comes over asking what they yelling about. I told her that the woman should not ask questions she doesn't want to know the answer to. I don't celebrate Canadian holidays either. Every place I have traveled I run into people thinking I'm a native because they need directions. I simply state I don't live here. Let's see, In Arizona someone asked my Mom if I was half American Indian, that really insulted her. Visiting Mexico along the Arizona, a man asked me if I would like to go to the school we were sitting near. I said no, because I don't speak Spanish. Then while visiting Victoria in Canada, someone asked about the Canadian currency exchange. We pointed to our waitress. In England, Asians kept stopping me asking for directions not noticing my lack of British accent. Visiting Paris, only 2 people asked me for help. One was holding a translation book. I told her I'm not French. She was happy to meet another American in Paris. I think she said she was from New York. The other guy was British and recognized my lack of French or British accent. At my job in the airport, a customer told me I look exotic and asked if I was half Asian. I think Mexican immigrants assuming I'm Mexican is more wishful thinking because they don't speak English well than my actually appearance. So I'm not wishing anybody a happy Cinco de Mayo because it is not a holiday I celebrate. I'm an American. Post later. Bye!