Press Notes
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 22, 1957, Page 7
By Julia Kaufman
“The body travels more easily than the mind, and until we have limbered up our imagination we continue to think as tho we had stayed at home. We have not really budged a step until we take up residence in someone else’s point of view.” — John Erskine
After tucking the body comfortably in the seat of the plane –in preparation for the five hour non-stop flight from Tiajuana to Mexico City — I proceeded to follow the sage advice of John Erskine, by reading the handy hints on conduct befitting a tourist in Mexico, found in a kit supplied by Mexicana De Aviacion along with other useful information. The advice, I thought, would be easy for me to follow. I must remember to say “Por Favor” (please) and not wear shorts or slacks while shopping — to restaurants-movies-churches, etc., “where custom favors regular street clothing.” With the added security of two pocket sized instruction books on phrases in Spanish, I relaxed and accepted the bottle of Mexican beer proffered by the airline stewardess … my first step in the good neighbor policy since I expected champagne and have no particular liking for beer.
My traveling companion was Esther Silberman, a concert pianist from New York City, who is visiting in San Diego. Since our trip was conceived on the spur of the moment, it was decided that all details would be left for Mexico. Each emergency would be faced as it presented itself. The local Pan American World Airways had arranged for a one-night reservation at the Hotel Alffer, one of the newest deluxe hotels in Mexico City.
The plane arrived on schedule although we had lost two hours because of the difference in time, so it was 11:30 p.m. when we landed. Emergency number one was faced when the clerk at the hotel (such a nice boy, too) advised us that the only accommodation available was a “Junior Suite” at $25.00 per night. “Junior Suites” were not included in our budget. Since this was an emergency, we decided to relax and accept our beautiful fate. We learned the next day that the clerk had not exaggerated. All the first class hotels were filled with tourists and conventions.
Traveling within a limited time always creates a feeling of urgency with me. I became obsessed with the idea of covering as much ground as possible in the short two weeks I had. Having arranged hotel reservations through a tourist agency, I settled down to some serious sightseeing in and around Mexico City.
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Yesterday-Today-Manana Just as an individual searches the past to better understand his present day actions, it is necessary in touring a country to dwell a little on its past. In Mexico, where people are still in the process of emerging from a history of revolutions and peonage, the past seems to merge into the present with everyone working for a new tomorrow. It is quite common to see families of barefooted Mexican Indians, in traditional dress, walking down Ave. Juarez or Reforma Blvd. Seeing them in ultra-modern buildings made the contrast sharper. Their pace was leisurely in comparison to the bustling city dwellers.
I visited imposing buildings such as the Social Security Bldg., which occupies for square blocks (The Mexicans have old age pensions and health insurance)…. the Palace of Fine Arts, with the only solid glass curtain in the world, with its realistically painted landscape…. the National Palace which houses the President’s offices and the controversial mural of Diego Rivera … the Shrines of Guadalupe and Cathedrals which are still attended by over 90% of the Mexicans.
The National Pawn Shop, established in 1755, is unique. It is housed in a very large structure, laid out like a department store, each section displaying a particular kind of merchandise. There is a maximum monthly interest charge of 3% on articles pawned. If payments are neglected for five months, the goods are placed on public auction.
The auction I attended was conducted in a quiet, business-like manner, with interested persons sitting in a large semi-circle. Small pieces of merchandise were passed around for inspection before bids were made. Whatever is not sold at auction is priced and sold over the counter.
I rode through the Desert of the Lions, which isn’t a desert and has no lions… drifted in a small floral bedecked boat in the Xochimilco canal (Floating Gardens), where you may choose your favorite blossom from a flower-laden skiff and enjoy the serenading of the “floating” troubadors …admired the handicraft displayed in the colorful and odiferous Toluca Market Place, where I purchased a basket and sang “You’re My Everything” to the young sales girl, who listened daily to the music over the loudspeaker but had never heard thelyrics. … I was properly impressed by the ancient Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, at Teotihucan, and recalled that I was equally impressed by the new “Temples of Learning” erected for the Sons and Daughters of modern Mexico, at University City.
AT the Bullfight, Matador Fermin Rivera was making his farewell appearance and the large bull ring was filled to its 50,000 capacity. With the exception of Rivera, the performances that day were not as thrilling as those I had witnessed in Tiajuana. It was truly his day. Pigeons were released– there was a touching farewell ritual — and as the ba nd played, officials stepped up to embrace him. An emotional reaction passed through the vast audience like a wave — the excitement of the moment even affecting the tourists. Someone always faints at a bullfight. A compatriot nearby was revived by my handy little bottle of smelling salts. Americanos with weak stomachs should not go to bullfights.
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To Eat or Not To Eat — Popular tourist restaurants cater to an international taste and have a cosmopolitan atmosphere. I’d like to comment on the food and drink phobias built up in the mind of the tourist before he even enters Mexico. To say that the poor tourist is confused would be an understatement. In spite of the fact that first class restaurants and hotels serve only purified drinking water, I saw “cautious” Americans drag out bottles of Sparkletts and then order ice cubes. Tourists are warned to take it easy until they become acclimated to the 7,400 ft. altitude of Mexico City. et I saw tourists overeating, over drinking and exhausting themselves by staying out all night at clubs and then going on early morning tours. With that routine it would be difficult to stay healthy anywhere. I didn’t eat lettuce or uncooked vegetables… others with me did. I didn’t get sick … neither did they. Mine is not to reason why, I only know that I was quite happy to leave a full bottle of Kao Pectate on my hotel dresser when I left Mexico.
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Mr. and Mrs. Irving Stone Leave For Tour of Europe
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 22, 1957, Page 7
Mr. and Mrs. Irivng Stone will leave on Saturday, April 6, for a two month tour of European countries, flying from Los Angeles to Copenhagen via the Polar route. During their trip thwy will fly and motor throughout Euope.
Mr. Stone is a psychologist with the State Mental Hygiene Clinic in this city and a member of the Psychology Commission for the City of San Diego. He is also a columnist for the Southwestern Jewish Press. While in Europe he will conduct a survey of juvenile delinquency prevention methods in foreign countries for the Juvenile Protection Committee of the San Diego County Coordinating Council.
The Stones plan to visit Denmark, England, Holland, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy. They have received an invitation to be the guest of the District Director for Youth in Bonn, Germany. They will return by boat.
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Orchid Show Opens
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 22, 1957, Page 8
Thousands of orchids of every imaginable color and shape — and all of them beautiful — will be on display at the Eleventh Annual Orchid Show sponsored by the San Diego County Orchid Society, Inc., March 23 and 24, in the Recital Hall, Balboa Park, San Diego.
The show will be open from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Saturday and from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Sunday.
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Cottage of Israel
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 22, 1957, Page 8
A group of members of the Hillel Counselorship of San Diego State College have agreed to accept as one of their community projects the duties of acting as Guides and Hostesses for the Sunday afternoon Open House.
Mr. Mike Goodman is the enthusiastic chairman of this project. Serving of refreshments on Sunday afternoons will be limited to holidays and special occasions.
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Famed Pianist to Play Here Mar. 25
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 22, 1957, Page 8
Ampero Iturbi, pianist, will appear as guest soloist with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra at the Russ Auditorium Monday evening, March 25, at 8:30 p.m. Her brother, Jose Iturbi, will conduct.
Tickets can be obtained at the Palmer Box Office,, 640 Broadway, BE-9-4700.
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Jewish Music Festival
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 22, 1957, Page 8
Cantor Joseph Cysner will present the Senior and Junior Choirs at Friday evening services, March 22nd, 8:15 p.m. in celebration of Jewish Music Month. An interesting program of liturgical, Israeli and Yiddish music has been prepared and new compositions by Sulzer, Lewandowski, Kirschner, Zalis, Schalit and Cysner will be introduced. The Community is most cordially invited.
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AZA Starts Anew
Southwestern Jewish Press, March 22, 1957, Page 8
Two meetings have been held to reorganize the AZA Chapter of B’nai B’rith, the last one culminating in the election of temporary officers. The age group of AZA is from 14 to 17 years, and prospective members are asked to apply to the advisors, Dr. Milton Millman, Abe Eidex, Mel Brave, or Sid Winicki.
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Adventures in San Diego Jewish History” is sponsored by Inland Industries Group LP in memory of long-time San Diego Jewish community leader Marie (Mrs. Gabriel) Berg. Our “Adventures in San Diego Jewish History” series will be a regular feature until we run out of history. To find stories on specific individuals or organizations, type their names in our search box, located just above the masthead on the right hand side of the screen.