Elias, Ronald and Ronald's Dog
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Stumble It!Qualifying Statement #4
I really don't care about what other people in the world are doing. As long as their silliness doesn't infringe upon my "plan," then so be it. But, on occasion, I do take notice of what is happening in the street.
If you are ever in Jaco, Costa Rica for any period of time, then you will see two men in town. The first person is "Elias." He is is six years old and he sells empanadas in the street. He has a large, silver pail and a bottle of chili sauce. His mother makes them. And, that is what he does. He used to come by my office and inquire: "Empanadas?" And, sometimes I would say "yes" and sometimes I would say "no".
However, one day I was sitting outside the office with a Tica girlfriend, Marcelly, and Elias came by and Marcelly began to quiz him. We found out that he was the third to last of eight children and that his older brother sold empanadas, too. If they go to school, then I don't know about it. During the course of the conversation, Marcelly told him that I spoke English and so he asked me, in English: "Do you want an empanada with beans or with potatoes?" I laughed until I almost cried and just said: "Both."
Now, when I see Elias, then I buy an empanada from him or I give him some money or I buy him some ice cream, or I do something because this kid impresses me and not many people in the world do impress me. I have friends that are screenplay writers in LA to ones that are investment bankers in London. All of them I respect, but for none of them do I buy ice cream.
The second person that you will see here is Ronald and his dog. Ronald suffers from MS because his mother was an alcoholic before he was born. Ronald's job is to pick up cans in the street. And he does, diligently, everyday. The yellow lab (mutt) runs "point" for him because Ronald wouldn't be able to defend himself if someone tried to rob him. He just doesn't have the motor skills. So when I drink beer, which is usually everyday, I save my cans for Ronald. I call it, in Spanish, La Fiesta de Latas Para Ronald, or The Can Party for Ronald.
When I say that, people usually laugh, but I don't. Not ever. It wouldn't be right. Things are different here. It is not the same as you are used to seeing. Most times when I write, then I write about me and what I am doing. Today, I write about what is the reality in Costa Rica, Central America, Third World Country.
