Some of my regular readers may remember a few years ago when I wrote about my friend Elvis being interested in buying some fighting cocks. He found that Alabama raises the best cocks in the Americas (wouldn't you know, Alabama the most backward state in the Union). I found Red Fox Farms and we read all about them and the various breeds. It is illegal to ship them out of the state, let alone to a foreign country. They do however transport them (with hens) for "breeding purposes". What else would those "breeding purposes" be other than for cock fighting? I refused to be a part of the purchase or transport. Somehow he arranged to have some sent to Texas where they were smuggled across the border. He bought one rooster and four hens. At the time of my last writing on it (two years ago) I showed where he was raising them on a farm owned by a friend's mother. At the time they were just little chicks. Well they grew up.
The only big town next to where Elvis lives in the Valle de Banderas is Bucerios. By the way "Banderas" means flags, not bandits. Every year they have a one week festival celebrating the town. Every little town or city in Mexico has their own festivals at various times of the year. (another chance for Mexicans to get drunk) The main feature of these festivals is the annual cock fight. In fact very few cock fights occur except during these festivals. This year Elvis decided to enter some of his cocks. It is quite expense. It cost him over 5,000 pesos to enter seven of his cocks (the price included a special trainer to work with the birds). Their spurs are covered with little rubber boxing gloves for the training. For the fight they are equipped with metal spikes. EEKKS! His birds will fight with another breeder's seven birds and one side must win four out of the seven in order to win the prize. His won five, tied one, and only lost one. Unfortunately the bird that lost was his favorite. (losing means "dead"). This one fight greatly increased the value of all the cocks he has raised.
After his great success, he and his friend who also breeds them had some kind of a dispute (it did not translate to me in English). Anyway he took his cocks and brought them to his house. The back yard and side yard are solid with cages. Can you imagine what mornings are like there with fifteen cocks crowing? Fortunately his nearest neighbor over a block away. He lives in the middle of nowhere. He built his home in a new development five years ago. There are still very few completed homes in the area. Next to the house he built another building for all his gym equipment. I was anxious to see what else he had done and see the birds. Their cages are just a couple of feet from his dinning room doors. The black one with the red mane is the meanest. Even Elvis cannot get near him, and yet he has never been entered in a fight.
They are quite beautiful. He has only roosters now. I was surprised when I asked when he would enter another fight. He said he did not think he would. Then I asked when he would start to sell more of them. He wasn't sure about that either. You see, they have become pets to him. He doesn't want them hurt and he doesn't want to sell them for that purpose. What he will do with all of them, I am not sure. What surprised me most is that he can pick them up and pet them. The one with the yellow feathers is his best cock. He has one two fights and never got a scratch on him. Yet, even I could hold him and pet him. Elvis never ceases to amaze me, along with his three businesses,he has taken up guitar lessons three nights a week.
From my last blog, you know I have been waiting for almost a month for TelMex to install my internet. Of course they called while I was in Bucerios. I handed the phone to Elvis and he explained that I would not be home until 4:00 and they agreed to come then. Luckily I go home a little after 3:00 for they arrived at 3:30, The installation was a mess they drilled holes in the wall and strung new cables (of course leaving all the old wires hanging). I am told that the internet is much faster now, but I am so slow I can't tell the difference. Then I had to return to IZZI to return their box and cancel my contract.
Again I called Filipe for the ride and to tell them why I wanted to cancel. The large brand new, modern IZZI office is so cleverly hidden we passed it twice. It is also on a one way side street that is also difficult to get on to. Mexicans are great at finding ways to make everything harder to do. At the office I handed in my old modem and asked to cancel my contract. She wanted to why. "Well, because you cancelled all the English channels". She seemed to expect that answer and asked for some identification. Why?? I do not know but they always do and I forgot to bring my passport. Of course I had their old box, my old contract with Telecable. With reluctance she accepted a photo copy I keep of my passport, otherwise it would have meant another trip. After doing something in her computer, we were told to go to the next room and pay the cancellation fee (one month) in the machine. I guess they do not want her handling any cash (I wouldn't either). Then after getting a receipt go back and stand in line again to give her the receipt. She spent another ten minutes playing with her computer and they gave me two forms to fill out. (things like my name, email, telephone number; and reason for cancelling - all of which she already had). A couple more stamps later, I had the paper work and we were finished with IZZI (Yeah!) As soon as I got home I turned on the TV and found the TV was a blank screen even though I had pay for the month (some things they are very efficient at) We will see how I manage.
p.s. I am always delighted to get comments on my blog (especially when they are complimentary) but frustrated that I have no way to answer them. So I am using this space to answer one.
"Dear anonymous",
I was happy to hear how much you like my blog, but upset that you were using it as a reason not to retire in Mexico (I think you said Mazatlan) There are problems when one lives in a foreign country. You have to be very patient and learn to "go with the flow" cursing and screaming will change nothing. But as I have said, most of my posting are about the problems that occur living here because they are more fun to write about. There are compensation, like it is warm, cheap, and the people are wonderful. Also something is always happening, you will never be bored, so try it.
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