Into the Beautiful North: Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

The next morning, Tía Irma steers her ancient Cadillac towards Mazatlán. Vampi, Nayeli, and Yolo snore peacefully in the backseat. As usual, Irma points out a mountain, promises to take the girls there someday, and says that she went there once with Chava Chavarìn. The girls sleep through Irma's monologue.

In the fruit market, Irma berates the vegetable seller for charging an exorbitant amount of money for beans. The seller mistakenly refers to Irma as a señora—Irma has never been married and thinks that señora is a "slave's moniker." The seller cannot answer Irma when she asks what the poor are supposed to eat. She goes on to explain that they're all Mexicans, and Mexicans eat corn and beans. Irma asks how it's possible that Mexicans can't afford their own country's crops, and the man points out that the beans are from California. He says that they grow the beans in California, sell them to the US, and then the US sells them back. Irma insists that the system is stupid, and the man simply says, "NAFTA" in reply.

Irma storms out of the man's stall and snaps at a Guatemalan woman picking through spoiled fruit. She tells the woman to go home and says that Mexico is for Mexicans. Nayeli, Yolo, and Vampi are appalled and embarrassed, but Irma goes off on a tirade anyway. She insists that "illegals" come to Mexico for a free, quality education, and declares that Mexico needs a wall on its southern border. She purchases some vegetables and cheese but decides to buy tortillas in Tres Camarones.

Irma agrees to let Nayeli drive home. As Vampi and Yolo sleep in the backseat, Nayeli whines that she's lonely. She says that she wants to see city lights, and Irma reminds Nayeli that Mazatlán is a major city. Nayeli continues that she wants someone to serenade her and touch her face and asks Irma if she's ever been serenaded. Irma very nearly sighs as she mentions Chavarín again, but Irma cannot answer when Nayeli asks who can do that for her.