Cold...

I have had trouble sleeping ever since our pre-New Year's Day jaunt to Mexico. Some of it may have to do with an acquired virus that resided yesterday in my throat, ouch, this morning in my nose, aaaaaachooooo, and finally now seems to be migrating to every joint in my tired body! But it brought to mind ...

My dream. I mentioned it two days ago before my oft misunderstood missive of yesterday (I was only TRYING to make a point by satirizing our cultural propensity for making resolutions we hardly intend to keep, yet we keep making them!) as a part of my vision for Mexico that included taco stands. Yes, I said, taco stands. If you haven't been to Mexico, or Tulare County for that matter, you may not be familiar with these little entrepreneurial wonders. In every community in the land to our south, these valiant businesses supply a much needed product in ANY economy - food. Not just food, but in some cases, GREAT food.

My experience began with a visit to a stand in Estero Beach, just outside of Ensenada. Keep in mind I am VERY picky about what and how I eat. But last Friday evening, after traveling all day from Visalia, making a stop at a small country church in a very small Mexican town, I was ready to eat at 9 PM. More than ready. As we passed the new Applebee's in Ensenada I blurted out that we could stop THERE, but to no avail. Our course, no pun intended, was already set. As we pulled up to the, hmmm, El Birrea I think, I wondered how I could get out of eating the food there. It was dark and, well, if looks are everything, I probably would not have stopped. I could not have been more wrong. Being the adventuresome and risk-taking type that I am, it seemed like a challenge to make myself find something about the experience that I could enjoy. Hey, there were people there and, I like people. So out of the car we pile and then those fateful words ... Señor? Which I knew, may I help you.

"Quiero dos tacos, por favor." I replied tentatively, but brimming with pride at my liguistic abilities.

"Queso, Señor?" Hmmm, cheese, too?

"No, gracias."

My first bite, tenuous as it was, was also the last time I doubted we could have great food in these little tiendas. It was delicious. And from that point on I made a mental study of these businesses. Yes, they are businesses and they THRIVE everywhere. It gave me hope. Hope. Now, just like great food, one does not associate hope with Mexico, necessarily, but I saw taco stand all over the country and they were busy. Here's how we solve the immigration problem - no, not free tacos, although if you get that going let me know.

By encouraging and funding entrepreneurs in Mexico we could see a miracle not unlike what has happened in Ireland in the past decade, or China, or India. I have been to two of the three of those countries and, frankly, Ireland and India had just as many problems with corruption and depair as Mexico does today. But somehow, by opening up the economy, encouraging entrepreneurs, those economies have skyrocketed. That is a GREAT dream. And it could be done. But how?

More tomorrow! I need rest.

¡Buenas noches!