12 Comments
User's avatar
Dindu Nuffin's avatar

Cholo means something completely different in Venezuelan Spanish

Great essay BTW

Ioan Grillo's avatar

Thanks there Dindu. I have heard used by a Peruvian, does it mean more like how British say "mate" or what does it mean in Venezuela? Best there.

Dindu Nuffin's avatar

It has a negative connotation. It means a man who doesn’t work but drinks all the time and lives off his woman.

Lot of those in Vzla

Ioan Grillo's avatar

Ha ha. I didn't know that. I'll remember that if I ever get back into Venezuela.

Dindu Nuffin's avatar

Good luck getting past the Cubans

It used to be a lot of fun

Jim_Creechan's avatar

Love this Ioan. Reminds me of old essays by Monsivais

Ioan Grillo's avatar

Ah did Monsivais write on this? I think Octavio Paz gets into pachucos in his essays as well.

Jim_Creechan's avatar

I am thinking of books for like “Los Rituales de Caos”.

Jim_Creechan's avatar

I remember Octavio Paz on Pachucos. I vaguely recall a small book by Carlos Monsivais about subcultures in Mexico City that imitated counter-cultural American trends. It was not about low-riders, but was counter cultural. Maybe other readers can weigh in.

Ioan Grillo's avatar

I'll have to look for that one. There is a fascinating history of rock and punk and stuff in Mexico as well, as I am sure you know well - including in Neza!

Steven's avatar

Great pictures. I didn’t realize I pass by Gulfton in Houston on my daily drag to the office.

Ioan Grillo's avatar

Thanks Steven. Is Gulfton like the Logan Heights of Houston? All best there friend.