Mornings

As you know I am an avid people watcher, not in the nosey in your business sort of way, but just in a curiosity sort of way.  People fascinate me.  It's one of the reasons I have always love airports.  Just standing back and watching travelers scurry to and fro, I immediately form a mini story in my head as to where they are going and why.  Living down here has been a dream come true in this aspect as people here in El Paso absorb life like a sponge. 


For example, up North people are friendly don't get me wrong, however eye contact is generally reserved for the moments when an actual business transaction is taking place or a conversation is happening.  Very rarely do people look you in eye throughout daily activities and if they do and hold that stare for any amount of time we immediately start to check our nose for bats in the cave that are flapping their wings, or check to see if we have a Cling-on.  Here, oh my, what a difference.  For the most part, people will look directly at you and not look away even if you look back.  Why?  Curiosity, and just plain love of people.  If you smile immediately they will smile and even sometimes strike up a conversation.  This is fabulous for the ministry as you can imagine.  


So why am I rambling on and on about this.  Because it is necessary in order for you to understand the events that occurred this morning and why I find it so thrilling.  


Everyday I leave for work early and drive a nice peaceful route through our adjacent neighborhood. Each morning I see a beautifully dressed classy woman walking up the road with her lunch bag in hand.  She reminds me of a modern day Audrey Hepburn.  For a month now I have seen her each and every weekday and the first week I saw her we nodded in recognition of one another. Since then, we have always exchanged smiles and last week we exchanged waves and smiles.  I always judge how early or late I am based on her progression up the hill.  Today I was extra early as she was just standing at the crosswalk waiting at the light as I pulled to a stop at the same light.  My windows were partly down and she smiles and says "Buenas Dias Mi Hija!"  Glancing at the the light she quickly states that every day she sees me.  And thanks me for always smiling, wishes me a good day, and then scurries on her way.  I sat there for a second almost in tears because her small gesture of recognition brought such joy to my heart. 


I would have to say that is what makes me love El Paso so much.  People take advantage of every opportunity down to here to share their feelings with each other.  Words never go unspoken (for the bad or good but everyone is always honest which is so refreshing).  I thank Jehovah every day for this opportunity to soak up the love of life that I am surrounded by.

Don't Blow Away!

So it has been quite a while since my last posting. Let me take this opportunity to say HOLA to everyone that I haven't been in touch with recently but who are always on my mind. If you are reading this, yes you are one of those people. Things here in The Pass are fabulous and the windy season has come on full force recently. I am amazed at how far a palm tree can bend and how quickly the mountains can dissappear in a storm cloud of dust in the distance. I am starting to feel like Pecos Bill. The weather has been warm and sunny (when it isn't sunny it's pretty much mass chaos and panic which believe me even the most seasoned northerners get used to as well) But the air has changed. In the mornings the birds trill more loudly and the air has a crisp clean scent. SUMMER is around the corner.


I have recently acquired new recipes for Nopales and their Tunas (Cactus leaves and their fruit) It will be another Meagan cooking adventure :) I am sure it will entail a detailed blog posting hopefully with ample photo opportunities.

Traffic

So I am sitting in traffic awaiting my up coming exit when the thought occurs to me, "Why is it even in heavy traffic in this city I never feel stressed?" The answer, "NO HONKING!" I can count on one hand the number of times I have heard drivers beep their horns since we've moved here. It's not that people don't drive recklessly here, believe me they do! In fact it is one of the number one complaints made by visitors even on city websites. However people are not quick to beep their horn in an aggressive manner. In fact they will often go out of their way to let you in when traffic is backed up. Road construction here is just like the rest of the country, always happening, and slow in progression. But when traffic is backed up you kick back listen to the sounds of beautiful Ranchero music playing in the local vehicles and drink up some sunshine. It seems the mentality is, why waste the day away getting stressed....

Fair t' Middlin'

El Paso Dictionary Continued:
"Fair to Midland"- This phrase is used in response when people ask, "how are you?" I have heard this term used several times in the work setting and finally had to ask what it meant. It means "Not Bad". Basically it comes from the agricultural days in describing the grades of cotton and other goods. The correct use of the term is "Fair to Middling". However with a southern drawal it becomes "Fair t' Middlin'" and here in El Paso where a city near by is called Midland they play on words saying, "Fair to Midland". So next time you are looking for a creative way to respond try it out.