I am writing this at 4:30 A.M. on a Saturday morning. More than an hour ago I was awakened out of a sound sleep by loud music... music so loud that the windows were literally vibrating. I threw some clothes on and ventured out into the hall. I discovered that the deafening noise was coming from the apartment right above me. I went downstairs to the lobby. (Even eight floors below the music was faintly audible.) I woke up the poor doorman. I told him about the music and asked him if it was against the rules of the apartment building. He said that parties were allowed on Friday and Saturday nights.
I am reminded of something that James Michener wrote in his book "Iberia", a memoir of his travels in Spain. In discussing the character of the people, he used the term "Viva yo!", which translates as "Hurray for me!" and conversely "The hell with everyone else." As charming, gracious and hospitable as the Spaniards are, they can also be inconsiderate of others. I think that the Mexican people inherited a bit of that trait from their Spanish forefathers, especially when it comes to noise.
When I rented a house in Mérida earlier this month, the next-door neighbor thought nothing of letting her two small dogs bark incessantly in the middle of the night. One night, or rather one early morning, I went outside and yelled at the top of my lungs for them to quiet the dogs. I know that the neighbors were awake and heard me. I could hear voices on the other side of the wall. But they made no effort to hush the dogs.
And now as it is approaching 5:00 A.M., the party upstairs is still going strong, and the windows are still vibrating.
Maybe it's because I am sick with a cold, but my posts of late have been on the negative side. My grumpy side is coming out. However I would truly like to hear comments from my readers, especially those who are Mexican or who live in Mexico.
P.S. I finally went upstairs and banged on the door. They turned the volume down... although it's still too loud. I thought I heard a voice say, "Sorry." So perhaps my tirade is misplaced... perhaps it's a bunch of "pinches gringos" that have an apartment upstairs.
This is precisely the reason I want to live in a penthouse at the top of an office building. Dentists, accountants, architects and the like aren't known for throwing raucous parties at all hours in their offices.
ReplyDeleteAlso, even non-partier Mexicans propagate this kind of BS by never, ever, ever complaining. My ex, "F", would literally sooner have died than complain about anything. I mean, it was ridiculous. If the power went out, it was a huge battle to even get him to call Luz y Fuerza (in control at the time) to merely notify them that there was a problem.
Sorry you had to put up with this. Seems odd that you were fine until 4:30 AM, and I rather doubt that's when the music started.
I hope you get a nap today.
Saludos,
Kim G
DF, México
Where some similar comments could be written about motorists "vs" pedestrians.
It was around 3:30 when I was awakened. I suspect they had been out to the bars and then brought the party back to their apartment.
DeleteSaludos,
Bill
A good pair of industrial quality ear plugs are a must for Latin American travel. I have a pair that were made to fit my ears. I only wear them when I need them but they are always in the shaving kit bag.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, last night (or more correctly this morning) I don't think even the best of earplugs would have helped. The music was that loud!!
DeleteSaludos,
Bill
I, a Mexican, absolutely despise those people. When it happens I usually knock on their door and ask nicely, if they continue I put my own loud music or TV.
ReplyDeleteBut don't mind me, I am considered a pretty grumpy guy. Loud music in restaurants or unrequested live music in "fondas" also irritate me. And don't get me started on stores on opening day.
Besides that, the "Viva Yo!" attitude is very well expressed behind the wheel or, more tragically, in politics.
Thank you for affirmation from a Mexican. I hate to write negatively about the Mexican people. They are in so many ways wonderful people, and they are unfairly maligned by bigoted gringos in the U.S. However, there are some things which do drive me crazy.
DeleteThank you for reading my blog, and for taking the time to comment.
Saludos,
Bill
Having lived in Mexico 11 years let me say I can feel your pain. On the other hand I some years back turned the tables and joined the noise makers. I mean I purchased several sound systems that can produce very high decibels. Being a retired music industry person I have a GREAT LOVE for music and I crank it up as desired between 9 AM and 10 PM Central Time ;-) My sound systems have no trouble masking roosters, dogs, fireworks, hombres gunning their cars or driving by with bass boom stereos a blaring, clanking on tanks gas trucks, rolling vendors with megaphone announcers, late night parties etc. Fight fire with fire. For the hours beyond my aforementioned sound-off schedule I use some high quality earphones that stifle all outside noise to a very high degree.
ReplyDeleteIn a sense fighting noise with noise has become liberating. One neighbor complained. When I suggested his unruly barking dogs who do not respect my hours code were easily as bothersome than David Bowie or Stravinsky at 118 plus decibels, he went away and has never complained since.
Frankly if I had to return to the U.S. I would miss this sound battle zone. We live in a tourist area and close to the action wherein there are many musical events that play until daylight - somehow for virtually all of that I have learned to sleep around it and again enjoy the freedom of go for it sound levels for my own noise makers - that is my story - probably not one you wanted to hear ;-)
I had to laugh at your strategy for combating noise in Mexico! Although, seriously, I hope that you are not damaging your hearing with the high decibel music all day.
DeleteThis apartment where I stay is usually pretty quiet. There are the normal Mexico City street noises, and the music from the cabaret across the street is not too loud or too late.
But Friday night's party upstairs was beyond belief on the decibel level. I hope it didn't do any structural damage to the building! :-)
Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Saludos,
Bill