So I had an odd experience. Odd because I'm just an old(er) white guy who grew up with other whites.
But one of my best friends is an American of Mexican heritage. He introduced me to another Mexican who works odd jobs for me. I've come to know that guy and some of his family pretty well and now consider him a friend.
So my truck got hit by an uninsured motorist ... my newer Mexican friend introduced me to the owner of a body shop. The shop owner is also Mexican. I drop the truck off yesterday, go to pick it up today at closing time. Body shop is located in a run down part of an aging middle class city nearby. Sign on the locked front door says: "Go around back" so I go to the back. In the back are 5 Mexicans I've never met, plus a teenage kid, I explain I'm Ricardo's friend ...
Next thing I know they offer me a beer and a chair and we are all sitting around the BBQ grill they set up outside the back of the body shop, they are making tacos on the grill and we are talking about the farmer neighbor of mine who raises goats for meat, talked about raising chickens, shooting coyotes, hunting turkey and deer, etc.
Great experience. Something I'd never thought I'd ever be part of. I was welcomed as family by strangers. Funny part was my friend showed up later, didn't even realize I was sitting in the circle of guys drinking beer.
But one of my best friends is an American of Mexican heritage. He introduced me to another Mexican who works odd jobs for me. I've come to know that guy and some of his family pretty well and now consider him a friend.
So my truck got hit by an uninsured motorist ... my newer Mexican friend introduced me to the owner of a body shop. The shop owner is also Mexican. I drop the truck off yesterday, go to pick it up today at closing time. Body shop is located in a run down part of an aging middle class city nearby. Sign on the locked front door says: "Go around back" so I go to the back. In the back are 5 Mexicans I've never met, plus a teenage kid, I explain I'm Ricardo's friend ...
Next thing I know they offer me a beer and a chair and we are all sitting around the BBQ grill they set up outside the back of the body shop, they are making tacos on the grill and we are talking about the farmer neighbor of mine who raises goats for meat, talked about raising chickens, shooting coyotes, hunting turkey and deer, etc.
Great experience. Something I'd never thought I'd ever be part of. I was welcomed as family by strangers. Funny part was my friend showed up later, didn't even realize I was sitting in the circle of guys drinking beer.