Don't Tell My Mom

Hola Amigos,

So I'm here in Mexico City and doing OK. Moving is hard.


The first thing you need to know is that I intend this blog to be frank and unexpurgated. So DON'T DISCUSS WITH MY MOTHER!! She gets a special edited version.


To start with I thought it would help to give you a feel for where I grew up. The town is Las Animas, Colorado. I just spent a year there last week. The full name is Las Animas Perdidas in Purgatorio -- translation, "Lost Souls in Purgatory." Here's a picture of the landscape outside of Las Animas. It pretty much explains the name doesn't it?

Bleak, ain't it? This is the exact spot where my great grandfather had a country store and gas station in the 1930's -- including an illegal slot machine. He built right on the county line, so when the sherriff came to investigate, he would just push the one-armed bandit into the other county on the other side of the store. Unfortunately, they sometimes got together and arrived at the same time to smash it up. He would then just buy another one.


Here's a picture of the courthouse, kind of nice I suppose. Las Animas is the seat of Bent County. Nobody there thinks it's funny that the county is named "Bent." They also don't think it's funny that our football team is called the Trojans. Sarcasm is pretty much wasted in this little town. But the picture does show the best thing about Las Animas, the sky is always big and blue.







So are you wondering about my blog's title? Translation -- Gringo (you know what that means), Alto (tall), Guapo (handsome), Gordo (fat). Of course the acronym GAGG is funny. Gag like a joke, not like choking on something, come on!! Isn't it strange that the same word can cover both? English is crazy. One of the reasons I moved to Mexico City (not the only reason) is that I'm considered quite the handsome guy here. They like their men tall and a little chunky. Don't you think everyone should live in the place where they are considered the most beautiful?


This town is loud and confusing and sometimes a little dirty and dangerous. But it is filled with unexpected pleasures if your open your eyes and heart. As I left my apartment yesterday, I took this picture. There are 7 food stands right outside my door. Hey, a clown's gotta eat, right?




Affectionately yours, GAGG in Mexico. fmarlman@aol.com