A week after the official power inception, the CFE supervisor was back doing some final checks. He asked for, and I handed over the solicitud (application) for the last murete (meter post) that was installed and connected. I asked him if he had a date that he and his supervisors would be available to plan the convivio (community gathering). He said that week he was busy, but perhaps Monday or Tuesday of the following week.
Super Prez got a confirmation for Thursday between 2-3, and preparations began. R. bought a borrega (sheep) and a chiva (goat from my sister-in-law L. and assured us he knew just the person to have them prepared with montalay (which is a vegetable dish in guajillo sauce commonly served with birrira). R. was also in charge of the beer. My other sister-in-law, T., made 12 kilos of tortillas. C. made rice to accompany the meat and montalay. Her son-in-law provided disposable plates, cups, napkins, and utensils. We asked that anyone who was attending bring a family-size bottle of soda. We rented the chairs and tables from another colono. And the best part is I didn’t have to lift a finger to organize it! Anyone who asked what they could do or bring, I referred to C. and let her handle it.
I posted the date and time in the WhatsApp community group, which started a firestorm. Immediately, the question was how much this would cost and whether they would have to pay if they weren’t attending. I explained that the cost would be divided equally among the lots and would come out of the fees for the second semester. A few colonos said they weren’t paying a peso. Others responded that they would gladly pay their part even though they couldn’t attend. One individual reminded everyone that in the old days, a meal was an appropriate demonstration of gratitude, and it was only fitting that we offered CFE the same for the enormous benefit our community received in having electricity installed, even if only a part of the fracionamiento (neighborhood).
I tagged Super Prez in the conversation, and eventually he swooped in to smooth ruffled feathers, pointing out that divided among the properties, the cooperacion (contribution) for the convivio would not be more than 20 pesos, and there was really no reason to put up such a fuss. That settled everyone down, and we had approximately 80-90 colonos confirm their attendance.
The day of the convivio arrived. Super Prez confirmed that the CFE delegates were still planning on attending. The tables and chairs were set up on the first road with the hope that there would be some shade. We really need a community palapa for this type of event! Everything came together, and the tortillas, meat, and beer were delivered almost at the same time the rice was ready, which was seriously some sort of miracle. At just about 3 pm, colonos began arriving, and the serving table was set up.
Then Super Prez got a call from the CFE supervisor saying they could not make it. Apparently, his boss had just been fired, and the office was in a major upheaval. Hmmm, we’d have to look more closely at that situation, but not this day.
We went ahead and had our community gathering without them. The food was yummy. I had my husband haul the speaker we bought for the juntas (community meetings) down to the corner and got some tunes playing. The feeling was decidedly pleasant, and I enjoyed myself immensely.
The sun disappeared behind the house, leaving a chill around 5 pm, and we started winding down. Attendees helped fold the chairs and tables and pick up trash. And that was that.
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Want the background to our little community adventure? Check out La Yacata Revolution: How NOT to Buy a Piece of Heaven in Mexico! Available on Amazon.
Surviving Mexico 