The "Great Little Bar"
The Choice Meeting up with some friends in town, we headed off looking for a quick meal. Upon reaching our first destination, a small diner on the corner of two main streets that had just been upgraded from "Greasy Joe's" to something like "Greasy Joe's with a facelift", but with its cheap prices and acceptable food it seemed like a good choice. One of our friends however, was aghast that such a choice had even entered our heads, his reaction indicating that eating at a place like this was somewhat equal to commiting a very slow suicide. After a number of attempts to encourage unity amongst us concerning this eatery, we finally realised that even though everyone was now saying they would eat there, some would remain very uncomfortable with the choice. So to keep the group happy, we decided to eat at another place. But which place would it be? The New Choice Deciding that we would eat at a new place was a wise decision, but it almost stopped at that. Nobody could think of anywhere to go. Of course there were our personal favourites, but most of those were a fair walk from where we currently were. Eventually, Lehman comes up with a restaurant nearby, and we all walk towards it, but upon arrival there are groans from some in the group about the type of place it is. So we continue on. This time it is walking without a destination, because now we cannot think of a place that would please everybody. Chris comes to the rescue however, and leads us onward toward a "great little bar with a restaurant in it". His daily adventures through town on a mountain bike as a form of exercise has given him quite a detailed knowledge of the place. His confidence also inspires us to believe that he knows where he is going. This all comes in very useful as the rain starts to grow from a light mist to a medium drizle, and after ten minutes of walking we still seem to be no closer to our destination. But true to his word, we discover our "great little bar" and enter inside. The Great Little Bar An old building, with old-style fittings and decorations that take me back to yesteryear, is very pleasing in its style and comfortable in design. It is also very much a bar and very little a restaurant. We find a seat at a saloon style table by the window and order our meal, choosing one of the two items available on the menu. In the depths of the bar are some other rooms from which is pumping music and dance lights. It is only 9.30pm so it seems unusual for such activity to be happening right now. Our attention is upon our conversation and the food that will shortly be coming our way, so when a waiter approaches us to practice his English, it comes as a slight surprise, but he soon leaves and we are on our own again.
A very nice Champagne
The Meeting It was some time after this that it all happened. Around us, in the bar, a wedding was taking place. It took a little while before we worked out that this was the reason for the music and lights and dancing. It was obvious that it was a private party, but only when we saw a lady in a white satin dress did it become obvious why they were all partying. As the one sitting on the end of the table, I was exposed to all that approached our table, so when the bride and her daughter approached us, I was the one to greet and chat with them. They were eager to say hello to this table of foreigners, something I suspect the waiter had told them. We all introduced ourselves to them, explaining where each of us were from: Australia, Mexico, England, and the States. They were delighted to meet us all and thrilled that we could speak Spanish. Her older daughter was quite good at speaking English and had come to help out if we needed it. After our introductions, it was then her turn to be introduced to us. As she talked, we learned that this was her second wedding, and that she already had five daughters. The oldest, with whom we were talking, was almost twenty. This explained why there were so many older people in the gathering around us. The Offer After her introduction, the older bride then welcomed us to her country. She told us that as a welcoming gesture, that she would send us some cake and food. There was also mention of something else which I did not hear. With that, and the traditional double kiss goodbye, they left. We were all amazed that someone would walk up to a group of perfect strangers and offer them all of the privileges of true wedding guests. We were even invited to dance with them. It was quite an overwhelming moment, brought on by a complete stranger's generosity. This was made all the more acute by the knowledge of the scarcity of excess money in this country. It flew in the face of the majority behaviour and attitude also. Our food that we had ordered was a long time in coming, and was preceded by the commitments of this lady. Finger food was brought out to us on a plate, and then a new bottle of champagne turned up on our table, complements of the bride. We were all astounded. Moving On Just after the champagne, our meals also turned up, so we held off on the dancing offer until afterwards. Unfortunately the dancing had finished up during our meals and we missed the opportunity, but we all enjoyed our drinks and the rich food that was freely offered to us. As with all nights, there came a moment when it was time to leave. We searched throughout the bar until we found our generous bride, still dressed resplendently in white, and thanked her and her daughter profusely for their generosity. She responded that she was delighted to have done this for us, and once again welcomed us to her country. I left that place recharged. Inspired that people really are good. Knowing that not everyone is out for their own gain and purposes. Seeing that there is wonderful people around. Encouraged to go and do likewise. It was a great night, and one that I will always remember. The night we joined the wedding.