Caveat emptor [#37 Chris]

Caveat emptor

         for Chris

You pray for the rains to drown the heat and dust that surround you. You've payed for the drawl and big-hair, this larger than life way of living. Here between brown hills Texas barely looms larger than the tumult around the local football team's season. Be careful of cashing it in for a dream.

Not all dreams survive the downpour of rains, the flood carrying the mud of the mountain along with it. No way to leave; the road's been washed out. And the heat. Not as hot as you're used to, just humid or worse. Not the dry of the oven but a pot boiling steam. And you in it.

But you say you'll have a/c. After a black-out, you'll learn to sit under a tree. Did I mention the caterpillars that numb? that dangle from trees? Or the snakes that climb and then fall? Don't forget the parade of ants you don't want to play with. Life bites. And you say you want to wear shorts. You'll learn to love pants. Light ones that breathe, that dry quick, that don't become see-through when it rains. Did I mention the rains?

They cleanse the air, in their mists wafts the fragrance of flowers and the fumes of humanity. If you aren't allergic you'll love it. Perhaps not the fumes of the city, but it's better than dust.

Such a pity there's both in the city. There's culture there too. In the country there is poverty. Poverty of opportunity and fresh thought. People work from sunrise to sunset. Then they sleep till birds chirp them awake.

But it's cheap, you will chirp! Then be willing to let go of whatever you're holding on to. Everything that's imported, costs double, if you can find it. Unless it's after sunset, then it won't be available except at a bar ...if there is one. And what's available at a bar has its own price. By 10 you will swear you've moved into a cemetery.

You say you have tons of friends in Texas. Will they come visit? You'll make new ones here I'm sure. How good is your Spanish? They speak their own dialect, eat the same rice-and-beans everyday, buy fresh fruit in season (you'd best learn their names). They live peacefully.

Unless you know the hidden dramas. The gossip of who's-been-with-whom. It spices up life with an occasional fight, seldom lethal. You'll stay above the fray, you say? Which means you'll never be a part of this place.

So advice: leave the bling-bling home. It only attracts misconceptions; learn the language; unlock the eyes to what transpires around you; know that "there is a road" is a phrase usually mistranslated. There is no concept for snow; time is a construct that flows (except for the bus that's just left; they are punctual).

And "yes" usually means "no". It's not a lie; it's being polite; polite is important. Watch the eyes. If they glow like daggers, smile then leave. They are warning you not to return. Learn. Learn. Learn.

Visit once; visit twice.

Do not be generous with those you can't trust. Trust no one. Only when trust is assured can you share ...if you dare! Dare anyways. Beyond the gossip and the tight family unit (that you'll never be part of; be blessed if you are) people are friendly and the climate is gentle.

Move down to the beach if you want to fry on both sides or up to the mountains if you desire to freeze. Passion can be poison. In between, be prepared to adjust to a land and its customs that aren't yours.

When your'e ready to stay, rent!

In the end you might buy into this place that will never be yours. Until then don't dare to own what you don't understand. Understand that what you've purchased is seldom what you once dreamed.

© Kåre Enga [168.252] November, 2011.


Note to self, earlier version: You pray for the rains to drown the heat and the dust that surround you. You've payed for the drawl and big-hair. This larger than life way of living. Here in the hills Texas looms larger than the tumult around the local football team's game. Be careful of cashing it in for a dream.

Not all dreams survive the downpour of rains, the flood carrying the mud of the mountain along with it. No way to leave; the road's been washed out. And the heat. Not as hot as you're used, just humid or worse. Not the dry of the oven but a pot boiling steam. And you in it.

But you say you'll have a/c. After a black-out, you'll learn to sit under a tree. Did I mention the caterpillars that numb? that dangle from trees? Or the snakes that climb and then fall? Don't forget the parade of ants you don't want to play with.

Life bites. You say you want to wear shorts. You'll learn to love pants. Light ones that breathe, that dry quick, that don't become see-through when it rains. Did I mention the rains?

They cleanse the air, in their mists wafts the fragrance of flowers and the fumes of humanity. If you aren't allergic you'll love it. Maybe not the fumes of the city, but it better than dust.

Such a pity there's both in the city. There's culture there too. In the country there is poverty. Of opportunity and fresh thought. People work from sunrise to sunset. Then they sleep till birds chirp.

But it's cheap,you will chirp! Then be willing to let go of whatever you are holding on to. Everything's imported, costs double, if you can find it. Unless it's after sunset, then it won't be available except at a bar ...if there is one. And what's available at a bar has its own price. By 10 you will swear you've moved into a cemetery.

You say you have tons of friends in Texas. Will they come visit? You'll make new ones here I'm sure. How good is your Spanish? They speak their own dialect here, eat the same rice-and-beans everyday, buy fresh fruit in season (you'll learn their names). They live peacefully.

Unless you know the hidden dramas. The gossip of who's-been-with-whom. It spices up life with an occasional fight, seldom lethal. You'll stay above the fray. Which means you'll never be a part of this place.

So advice: leave the bling-bling home. It only attracts misconceptions, learn the language, unlock the eyes to what transpires around you, know that "there is a road" is a phrase usually mistranslated. There is no concept for snow; time is a construct that flows (except for the bus that's just left; they are punctual).

"Yes" usually means "no". It's not a lie; it's being polite; polite is important. Watch the eyes. If they glow like daggers, smile then leave. They are warning you not to return. Learn. Learn. Learn.

Visit once; visit twice.

Do not be generous with those you can't trust. Trust no one. Only when trust is assured can you share ...if you dare! Dare anyways. Beyond the gossip and the tight family unit (you'll never be part of; be blessed if you are) people are friendly and the climate is gentle.

Move down to the beach if you want to fry on both sides or up to the mountains if you desire to freeze. Passion can be poison. In between, be prepared to adjust to a land and its customs that aren't yours.

Visit and rent!

In the end you might buy into this place that will never be yours. Until then don't dare to own what you don't understand. Understand what you've purchased.