My New Mexican Friend Braulio

 

My New Mexican friend Braulio

I desperately needed a shoe shine so I stopped and met Braulio.  During the course of the shine we talked about family, COVID, grandkids and life in general, all in Spanish.  It felt good to meet somebody new and have a conversation, even if he is the guy shining my shoes.  A few moments later some Mexican women stopped by to ask for directions.  I had spent a significant amount of time familiarizing myself with the neighborhood so I told them where Madero street was, again in Spanish.  The ladies didn't bat an eye, instead they hustled themselves to wherever they were going.  Braulio responded: "Imagine that, a couple of Mexican ladies asking an American visitor for directions in their own town.  Now I have seen everything."  

When Braulio asked my name i responded Gregorio as it is easier for many to pronounce in Spanish.  He responded Si, Goyo.  Goyo is short for Gregory in Spanish.  Maybe Don Goyo is my new name.  We will see.

It felt good to make a new Mexican friend.  Even if he was the guy shining my shoes

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