Gladys, Kate and I talked about this man as the sun set. We all know him as El Centro. I knew his name once. Actually, he lives in La Gloria, but he goes to El Centro looking for food, or a cheap bottle of Mayacol, a rot gut rum that sells in 10 peso bottles looking like medicine.He is diabetic and walks with canes. After I checked out of the Ixchel Penthouse, I went to the Navy commissary for apartment supplies, then stopped at the Municipal Mercado for some greens.
El Centro was eating salvaged Roscoe from Three Kings Day, just the day before.
He shared a piece with me and with the pigeons. How are you? Me I am fine. Good morning. I watch your things.
And he does watch my things often when I am in town. I give him 10 pesos. He pronounced the mission complete. Nobody took your stuff.
It is a nice day. Me? I feel good. Want more Roscoe?
No, I'm afraid I'll get the infant. Ah, there is no infant.
That is why they give me the Roscoe.
This is an example of a man many consider a derelict bettering himself. He always gets a lesson out of conversations. He wants to learn English. He knows his future is communicating in English to people with golf carts who might want their stuff watched.
Kids with bright futures deserve the chance to learn English well and with dignity, so they don't have to beg and may enter true careers that will require multilingualism. Please see Maggie at the English school for the lottery on Penthouse 709.
Donna and Mark Caffo have been so generous offering a stay in their unit. Chances are sold in $10US tickets, that get you two chances. Drawing is scheduled for April or earlier if she sells out.
