As you know by now, I am walking around the park, across from the condo, at least once a day, but, more often than not, it’s 3 times a day.
I frequently see the same people every day, so I wave, and say “hi”, to each person I pass. Whether they return the greeting or not is entirely up to them. Actually, though, most do. We exchange a “buenos días”, good morning, or a “buen día”, good day, or a “buenas tardes”, good afternoon. Even if I walk around 6, or 6:30pm, it’s still buenas tardes.
The park has 2 long sides, and 2 short sides. The long sides all have streets that dead end on the outer perimeter of the park as they are all gated neighborhoods. Many have automatic gate opening capabilities, but several are still manual, with an attendant there to open, and close the gate for the inhabitants of the block. (I hid the street names as I have no idea who reads my meanderings other than my sisters. Better safe, than sorry.)
Well, if you know me even a little bit, you’ll know that no one escapes my notice. I give a wave, and an audible greeting to most everyone, almost all of the time. If you’re on a bike, delivering something to someone on my route, you get a wave, and a salutation. If you’re one of the guards at the gate openings, you get, you guessed it, a wave, and a greeting. If you’re walking your dog, or are a professional dog walker with, usually, 4-6 dogs in your party, all of you get the same treatment. If you’re in the huge garbage trucks, well, those guys almost always wave, and give me a greeting. I love it.
I especially enjoy greeting, and waving to the guards on the North side of the park, who sit on a chair, or on the curb, outside their guard houses, as they look bored out of their minds. Each, and everyone of them acknowledges me with a wave, and an “hola señora, buenos días” as well.
A fun thing started happening yesterday on my morning walk. As I was just coming up to 3 of the different guard houses, the gentlemen waved at me first. This was the very first time it happened, but I was greeted by them each time I walked around. It lightened the load, I’m here to tell you.
What an amazing experience.
Until next time, stay happy, and trusting in the Lord. (And have a fun, but safe summer holiday celebration.)