March 22, 2003
Roblito, Nayarit, Mexico

"Cacahuatero!" Juannel shouts from atop the water tower down to the motor cycle peanut vendor on the dirt road below. Several seconds later a shout of recognition is returned. It is common to say hello when you see someone, especially someone you like, but here they will whistle across a field or yell two blocks with nothing to say. Everyone likes to be recognised--to feel they are important. Here they know that all too well. These people are outside most of the time, so after a 15 minute walk around the village you’ll likely see half the people who live here. If you exchange a glance and don’t say "buenas dias..." or "Hola...", shout, whistle or wave, they might think you are rude. In such a small place there is no escaping if you have a problem with someone, so you might as well get over it and be friendly.

Since everyone sees each other so often, and has known each others business since they where born, there is not a lot new to say. Most conversation consists of talk about the amount of bugs, how hot or cold the air temperature, do you have a cigarette? and where are you going? Now the new one is... "When are you climbing the mountain again?"

Juennel is beside me again after riding his bike to the cerro de conches, one of the hills of shells that surround their village on the edge of the estuary. His foot is cut from stepping on one of the shells. Most people here don´t wear anything on their feet.

A half ton of red chillies are headed to market. The chillies are sorted and dried on roof tops, and it is one of the village’s main crops. I’ve also been enjoying the water melons... which we can go eat when we want. I gotta put my shirt back on cause I´ll now red hot like a chilli myself.

Acrylic paints and brushes are spread out in front of me. I’m painting the village looking toward the mountain. Vicki’s property is exactly the center lot in the village and may qualify as the cultural center-- where the ladies play loteria, a game like bingo, and where kids come and go all day to watch tv or see movies when I an around. I did a slide show for them and I’ve played the Mt. death movie three times. They are always asking to see my movies in which they star.

Juennel just found a scorpion up here under the cement lid. He squished it’s stringer off, now we are playing with it. He says one hit from it could kill me. A few nights ago with Sergio I picked up a snake crossing the road. He was jeering me and I thought he was saying "grab it by the head," but then he made it clear that I should drop it Because one bit from it could kill me.

Juennel also found a tick under my arm pit left over from the hike. It was huge and full of blood, leaving a bump. I might have bed bugs.

Vicki mixes, rolls, presses, fires and serves 120 tortias every day. Today she got her third washing machine. They also have a refrigerator and blender and it is strange to see them next to dirt floor and walls.