Mexican people never cease to amaze me.
The RV park in Cancun has some very tiny cabins they rent out. They are sparsely furnished and the beds have very lumpy, old mattresses. Pretty basic accommodations that rent out for $200 pesos a day, less than it costs to park the RV and I am sure long term rentals are much cheaper. In other words, it is not the well-to-do who find themselves living there.
One morning I heard the sound of someone trying to start a car. Eventually the battery wore down so I went out to see if I could help. A young man and his wife were struggling with a very old Volkswagen that had seen better days. I offered to jump the battery and pulled the Mazda over and got my jumper cables out. It did not work, the engine just cranked and cranked. He indicated that it was probably out of gas and that he was going to walk into town with a gas can. I said, "No, no", pointed to the Mazda and said I would drive him. He spoke no English and found it hard to understand my terrible Spanish. He was very embarrassed to have put me to all this trouble. It was probably a five KM return trip with the gas and would have been a long, hot walk. He was fascinated with the GPS and kept touching the dash of our 12 year old Mazda as if it were made of gold.
When we got back he had his wife go through her purse and eventually came to me with a hand full of pesos that he wanted to give me to pay me for the ride. These are the same people who think nothing of spending time helping us out when we are lost or stuck or helping move the dolly when we park and it looks like I am having trouble. If they are cooking a picnic lunch and you stop to smell the food, they will always offer you some. Although they have very little, Mexicans are very generous people. Here they were, offering me what was obviously their last ten or twenty pesos for the ride. I said no and shook his hand telling him that was all I wanted.
This was either his Karma paying him back for something he has done for someone or my Karma building up credits for next time I need help. maybe both!
Life is Good!
You're credits are accumulating vastly, keep up the good vibes. Cantinero 46
ReplyDeletePut a smile on my face and a tear in my eye. We would have done the same. FYI, off to Cuba for a week in March, taking two more bikes and lots of other good things (canned salmon, sneakers, fishing gear etc). Take care and I'm glad you and Norma are having fun. Kelly
ReplyDeleteYou are right on! I offer someone help and I always tell them to "just help someone else sometime".
ReplyDeleteYour story leaves a good lesson to be learned by many and it is very true of Mexican culture. You also brought a tear to my eye. With all the bad that we hear about it is nice to hear something good. Thanks.
Hi Norma!
Croft, one very excellent post. You were without question "paying forward" as to your Karma. I am sure the heavens will bless you. Also, like you said, these same people would feed you and help you without question. The world is a much better place because of you and your new found friends.
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly, you and Rocket have a great time!
ReplyDeleteI apologize for the multiple comments. The spam guard phrase kept tripping me up, but apparently let the comment through. It seems to use non-English keyboard characters.
ReplyDeleteNo problem Mike. Thanks for commenting! One day we will meet.
ReplyDeleteWe would have expected nothing less from you, Croft. It seems like it just in your nature! Keep collecting on that good karma.
ReplyDeleteSue and Tobey
You are such a great guy...hugs......
ReplyDeleteCroft: I've been reading you for the last 3-4 years and always found your posts interesting. This one really touched me. If all of us were to help each other, no doubt, our world would be much better. Safe travels! Ghislain
ReplyDeleteYup - sometimes paybacks aren't a bitch ;-)
ReplyDelete