By José Dominiguez, January 9, 2020 — In the summer of 1967, I was living in the not-so-little, prosperous city of Sinaloa, Mexico called Mochis. The Pacific Ocean was around us with quasi-tropical weather. Among my new local friends, I remember Miguel, and I remember him because it caused a permanent impression. Miguel was 26 years old, more or less just one year older than I. He was always prepared to invite us to do something and always prepared to accept any invitations.
He was a charming, professional bum. He spoke with spontaneous and vivacious energy and his laugh came so easily that he was contagious in his joyful manner. One thing about him that puzzled me was how Miguel made his living. He told me he was a tourist guide. He specialized in senior couples. “But,” I asked, “How come that you are not working right now? Where do you get your money?” He was so amused with my question that he took some time to answer.
“Well, it’s a personal thing but I am going to share it with you…You are my friend. It happened that 2 years ago I was working with an American senior couple. I took them under my wing. I took them to hear music, to dance, to eat. I did not have any schedule for them. We partied all night until sunrise. Oh, how we laughed and enjoyed life. I initiated them in the tequila drinking and in a few days, they were familiar with all local beer brands. We were like a family dancing in the ocean [and] Pacific sands. When they left for America we cried thinking that perhaps we never will meet again. So, after 2 years I received a letter from an attorney from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and he said in his letter: Miguel I send you this letter on behalf of my clients X and Y. They say they experienced life in a very different and wonderful way and for them those days in Mexico were unique. So, they want to thank you for the company and good times lived. For that reason, they created a trust so you will receive monthly a certain amount of money with one condition: to continue being a wonderful bum with all those seniors that go to Mexico looking for a good time.”
The only thing that I said was, “I’ll drink to that!”