I’m all in now. All it took — after I’d finished my sorting, packing, taping, labeling, grouping, stacking (and fretting) over the course of these past couple of weeks – was three young Mexican men, one pickup truck, two trips (within a short distance), all in under one hour, to move into my sunny new studio apartment here in San Miguel de Allende.
I was, I confess, in awe of these three men – how strong, efficient, and capable they were. They’re not professional movers, just friends of a friend who were willing to take the time to help me. (But I paid them, of course). They carried furniture and heavy boxes down flights of stairs and up other flights of stairs as though they were carrying bouquets of flowers. On a sweltering day in late May (May is the hottest month here), they hardly broke a sweat.
And here’s another confession: All my life I’ve loved observing men. I’ve always found their particular brand of otherness captivating. As a little girl, I remember being especially awed by my big brother – his prowess at baseball, his muscular forearms, his deepening voice, his ultimate aftershave (English Leather). I’d sit on the edge of the bathtub and watch, wide-eyed, when he first learned to shave using our grandfather’s straight razor. This was something a woman would never, could never, need never do, I knew.
I know it’s wrong to paint whole groups of people with a broad brush. Labelling and stereotyping are intellectually lazy, to say the least. So I’ll confine my comments to my personal observations in my five years here in SMA: From what I’ve seen, Mexican men – women, too, but men in particular – are incredibly physically strong. Their upper-body strength, resilience, and indefatigability are awe-inspiring to me.
Give them a job to do, and they do it with ease and an attitude of craftsmanship. Mexican men seem to be always constructing, repairing, lifting, helping, creating, designing. That’s the way I see them, anyway. And these three men with the pickup truck just reinforced my opinion. So I’m not only in awe, I’m grateful.
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Must be so relieved the move part of the move is done. Now settling in. All the best to you.
Thank you, dear Lyn! Yes, I’m settling in now, and sighing with relief.
Great. Thanks for the view from a woman, and the smiles
De nada, Jim. Now you know we’re watching you… 🙂
I absolutely relate to your . . . observations. I’m also impressed that you had 2 truck loads but that’s a different topic. Good luck in the new space. <3
Thanks, Toni, for the good wishes! Well, it was a smallish pickup — and on one of the trips we took a large chair that a friend generously gave me. Plus, I had a bookcase.
Yep Mexican men !
And aren’t they fun to watch, Kate?! This is not to say they’re fun to live with! That may be a whole different story. 🙂
Oh Bonnie, what a wonderful moving experience (pun sort of intended). I’m like you. I love watching men, especially men at work. Plus their camaraderie is generally so casual and unforced.
Very happy you have this behind you, and may you never have to rely on the kindness of men for another move!
xoxo
Be
Thank you so much, BeDear! Yes, I’m now in the process of making this space as homey and cozy as can be, with a view to never budging! 🙂 Oh, and as for Mexican workmen: They usually work to music, so their movements seem to me to be almost balletic.
Hi Bonnie,
Off the subject of men helping….
I’m reading, with much enjoyment, your “How to Cook a Crocodile.” My daughter Katrinka was a Gabon PCV, 1999-2001, as one of 13 in Forest & Ag Resource Management. My wife and I spent a month with her in Dec ’99. Before traveling we contacted the parents of the other 12 volunteers and told them we would be glad to take a “small” Christmas present to their offspring. Wound up with two big duffle bags of presents. One volunteer also requested two dozen fertilized pigeon eggs which we managed to find and deliver, making some of the customs people scratch their heads.
What a fun time we had traveling around the country in local transport visiting almost all those 12 volunteers & delivering the presents. The Lastoursville volunteer, her name was Margo, lived in a nice house in the village just off the main drag. It even had a small chandler light the other PCVs teased her about and nicknamed her Martha Stewart.
I love your blog posts.
Harry Hibler
Harry, what fun to read your Gabon story. Fertilized pigeon eggs! Hilarious. Thank you for reading my Crocodile book and writing to me. Best, Bonnie
Felicidades on your new place Bonnie! Can’t wait to see it.
So happy you’re here now, Kim, so you CAN come and see it soon! — xx
I am so happy that you are now in your new home. And indeed, los mexicanos son fuertes y bien resourceful 🙂
Enjoy tu nueva casa.
Gracias, querida Te! You must come and visit! I now have a sofa-cama. — xx
Dear Bon,
I am so happy to hear you are safely moved, so please take some time to relax from the stress of moving. I hope you are very happy in your new home!
Much love,
Paul
Thank you, dearest Paul! I slept 11 hours last night and feel like a whole new person today! 🙂
Your apartment is part of my fond memories of visiting San Miguel two years ago. My friend Lenda and I came to your flat for dinner soon after we had arrived. And you prepared that delicious meal And help to orient us for our visit. Did you decide to move further out? I loved your neighborhood but then San Miguel has so many options.
Elizabeth
Yes, I have fond memories of your visit, too, Elizabeth! You’ll just have to return to SMA so we can have another chicken mole dinner here in my new nest. It would be wonderful to see you again and catch up, face to face.
So glad the move is over. Settling in is always fun! Your observations about Mexicanos is spot on. I would also add resourcefulness as a trait. No task too daunting. I can’t wait to see your new nest.
Yes, you’re so right, Suzanne: Resourcefulness! And I can’t wait for you to come back and visit me here, which is only a five-minute walk from your place. — xx
Bonnie and Suzanne – you are so right about Mexican men. I’m so glad you added “resourcefulness”, Suz. That’s the best quality. Looking forward to seeing your new nest, Bonnie. I missed seeing the last one.
Thank you, dear Alice! Yes, I hope to be here for quite some time, so you’ll be sure to see it. Can’t wait to see you again here.
Dear Bonnie,
So glad you had esos buen hombres pa’ ayudarte. I totally agree! When we had to pack up Kay and Charles for their sad departure from SMA, the swift and seemingly effortless help from Charles’s former helper was miraculous at that muy stressful time! Blessings on your new nest!
Thank you so much, dear Steve! Glad to know you had a similarly miraculous experience! — xx