And so we strolled down to a restaurant a couple of blocks away for brunch. It is a chain restaurant called VIP. Getting there was a bit of a challenge. Doug had his electric wheelchair, however the sidewalks are pretty rough and crumbling in places. In several places we had to take the street rather than the sidewalk because there were no cuts in the curbs to get up and down. I think the main thing I want to share is that this restaurant was just like any restaurant we might go to breakfast at on Sunday morning at home. I had a hotcake and eggs and Doug had a gouda and ham omelette. I also had a juice that they called "anti-rust". I thought that might be exactly what I needed! The only reason I knew what it was called was because the waitress gave us English menus! It was fun ordering with my little bit of Spanish and her little bit of English.
After breakfast we strolled over to the Superrama, which is across the street from Sam's Club. It is a very nice grocery store with a wonderful supply of everything. Doug had not been there yet and he wanted to look around. It is fun to enjoy all of the amenities of stores near us. In that same shopping center, there is a Green Restaurant with all organic, healthy foods and then a Casino at the end of the strip. I remember our driver saying to us on the way in from the airport that this is the rich part of town and yet it looks similar to what we see and enjoy everyday at home.
Now I want to contrast this with the conversation I had with our driver Angel a couple of days ago. I asked him about the schools here. He told me that you have to pay for your children to attend school. The cost is about $250 a year, which is a lot of money for most people here. He told me that school is not required. Suddenly it made sense to me all the young children we had seen on the streets selling things or offering to wash your windows while you are stopped at a stop sign. I remember the conversation I had the first night with Franciso, who helped us with our luggage at the Holiday Inn. He told me how cheap education was in the United States. I realize now he was not just talking about university studies.
It must seem like we are rich, or that we have a lot of money because we can travel and come to Mexico for medical treatment. Yet all the people I have talked to are not resentful. They are all working very hard to support their families and seem so happy in their jobs. Even though most of them are commuting into the city each day to take care of their families. The people we are with each day speak of being grateful for the jobs they have and their true desire is to care for us. It is an interesting contrast in culture from some of my experiences in the US. Each day I learn a little more about the people here and their lives. I learn more and more why some people will take such risks to come to the U.S. Both of our drivers have lived in the US. This is why their English is so good. Each returned home to be with their families.
I am so glad we have the resources to be here to get this treatment. I am so thankful for all those who helped to make this happen.We are lucky to be born in the United States. We are lucky to have the resources we have. The people here work very hard, but there is a great division between the rich and the poor.
Holy One, open our eyes so that we can see clearly the needs of those around us. Open our ears so that we might hear the cry of the poor. Open our hearts so that we might respond in love and care and compassion. Stregthen our hands so that we may care for those in need. Give us truly grateful hearts for all that we have. And Lord we lift all those who have come to Puebla for healing to be healed. In your name we ask it. Amen
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