Wal-Mart opens in shadow of Mexican pyramids

Link : http://uk.news.yahoo.com/041106/323/f63n5.html

SAN JUAN TEOTIHUACAN, Mexico (AFP) - Welcomed by consumers for its cheap prices and despised by local businessmen, Wal-Mart's new store near the Teotihuacan pyramids is also in hot water with an environmental group who believes "Bodega Aurrera," as the store is called, may be sitting on an archaeological site.

For hundreds of families living in this tourist mecca 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of Mexico City, Thursday's opening of the bodega was greeted with applause and shouts of "We did it!," as it brought in welcome competition to local stores and markets where prices for some are too rich.

In San Juan Teotihuacan "there are few stores and everything they sell is very expensive," Maria Felix Nieves, a homemaker at the opening, told AFP.

"Bodega Aurrera" is only 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) from the famous pyramids of the Sun and the Moon and a nearby artifacts-rich archeological site.

"The truth is that the people who opposed (the opening) don't care that we're poor and in need of cheaper goods," said Estrella Torres who was checking out kitchen appliances at the store.

Despite a gruelling six hour wait in sunlight, the first people streaming into Bodega Aurrera were all smiles as they went about buying food, diapers, kitchenware and cleaning products.

The Wal-Mart store's location relatively close to the Aztec pyramids drew outrage from an environmental group that claims the store is sitting on an archaeological site.

The locals dismiss most of the controversy, pointing out that the new establishment really bothers only local merchants and store owners.

Ema Moreno, self-proclaimed "keeper of the pyramids," admitted "some members of the Civic Front for the defense of the Teotihuacan Valley were local merchants, but this is not what drives our opposition."

"We're really opposed to any new construction in the area," said Moreno, a 59-year-old indigenous woman member of the environmental group who is camped out near the archaeological site.

The front treated the opening of Bodega Aurrera as a day of mourning.

Homero Aridjis, writer and environmental activist, told AFP by telephone that next Sunday the Front has planned a massive demonstration against Wal-Mart.

Meanwhile customers were overjoyed at the bargains.

"Laundry detergent costs 20 pesos (1.50 dollars) less than in town, and besides, it is bigger and diapers for my baby are on sale. The store really suits me," said Guadalupe Cervantes, another homemaker at the check-out line.

Dozens of children stormed the toy section of the bodega as their parents admired a stack of car tires advertised at 328 pesos (28 dollars) each.

The same smiles and stares could be seen at home appliances and clothing departments, where an iron cost 11 dollars, a coffee-maker 14 dollar and a child's overcoat only five dollars.