Ana And The Gas Truck
By Tere Ruiz & Karen McConnaughey
This was just a regular day on the Focus on Mexico program...everything under control, especially the timing. We had our morning conferences, delicious barbecue ribs for lunch in Tony's and the Tequila Run with Ray. (And, I don't mean to gossip, but I can tell you! I saw two guys sneaking around the "wrong" aisle buying some whisky and Cuban cigars?) Is that Keith and Pepe (our nickname for one of the many Brians on our group!)? It sure is...and, I'm equally sure they enjoyed their purchases!
Wayne was even on time for the bus today, can you believe it? And now we are all happily riding towards Monte Coxala and its thermal waters. Ah-h-h, a relaxing afternoon!
Suddenly, the bus stops and we realize a gas truck is parked almost in the middle of the street. No way can we get past it and continue on our merry trip.
All of a sudden, Ana looks into Manuel's eyes, and then mine. We know immediately what she's thinking...No way, Ana! But, yes, in a flash, there she goes, Manuel opens the door and she jumps out. She asks everyone she sees where the truck driver is, but no one seems to know. Step by step, she approaches the truck, and as our eyes and mouths drop in disbelief, she climbs into the front seat (wearing a dress no less!)! We hear the engine rev, and slowly, the truck starts to move farther...farther...farther down the street, "Where is she going? What is she doing?"
Of all of us, I think the only person not surprised is Manuel...after all, he's worked with Ana for almost two years! He just pulls the bus up the street, turns left and waits. However, since none of us knew for sure what was going on...the yelling and shouting inside the bus kept growing. "Are we leaving Ana?" "What's happening?" "Wait for Ana!" Suddenly, we see her running towards the bus. The bus stops and up she comes. Wow, nobody caught her...she's safe! Manuel starts to pull away from the curb, but the saga's not over yet! Didn't she have her cell phone in her hands when she went out the door? Where is it? Yes, you guessed it, IN THE GAS TRUCK!! So back she goes, and Manuel pulls out yet again. Please, stop the bus Manuel; we know you're trying to keep to our schedule, but Ana is not here yet!
Again, through the windows, we see Ana chasing after the bus waving her cell phone at us! Manuel slows down, and, in the midst of cheering and hurrahs, Ana climbs inside, smiling broadly at her co-conspirators in the great truck caper. We're positive that those of you who know Ana are very disappointed right now because you didn't get to witness this for yourselves! It was typically Ana...no fear; no hesitation, no worries! Our participants become her family for a week, and we have a schedule to keep!...truck in the way?...no problem! Ana fixed it!
Yes, this our Ana, and we wouldn't want her any other way! Would you?
This was just a regular day on the Focus on Mexico program...everything under control, especially the timing. We had our morning conferences, delicious barbecue ribs for lunch in Tony's and the Tequila Run with Ray. (And, I don't mean to gossip, but I can tell you! I saw two guys sneaking around the "wrong" aisle buying some whisky and Cuban cigars?) Is that Keith and Pepe (our nickname for one of the many Brians on our group!)? It sure is...and, I'm equally sure they enjoyed their purchases!
Wayne was even on time for the bus today, can you believe it? And now we are all happily riding towards Monte Coxala and its thermal waters. Ah-h-h, a relaxing afternoon!
Suddenly, the bus stops and we realize a gas truck is parked almost in the middle of the street. No way can we get past it and continue on our merry trip.All of a sudden, Ana looks into Manuel's eyes, and then mine. We know immediately what she's thinking...No way, Ana! But, yes, in a flash, there she goes, Manuel opens the door and she jumps out. She asks everyone she sees where the truck driver is, but no one seems to know. Step by step, she approaches the truck, and as our eyes and mouths drop in disbelief, she climbs into the front seat (wearing a dress no less!)! We hear the engine rev, and slowly, the truck starts to move farther...farther...farther down the street, "Where is she going? What is she doing?"
Of all of us, I think the only person not surprised is Manuel...after all, he's worked with Ana for almost two years! He just pulls the bus up the street, turns left and waits. However, since none of us knew for sure what was going on...the yelling and shouting inside the bus kept growing. "Are we leaving Ana?" "What's happening?" "Wait for Ana!" Suddenly, we see her running towards the bus. The bus stops and up she comes. Wow, nobody caught her...she's safe! Manuel starts to pull away from the curb, but the saga's not over yet! Didn't she have her cell phone in her hands when she went out the door? Where is it? Yes, you guessed it, IN THE GAS TRUCK!! So back she goes, and Manuel pulls out yet again. Please, stop the bus Manuel; we know you're trying to keep to our schedule, but Ana is not here yet!
Again, through the windows, we see Ana chasing after the bus waving her cell phone at us! Manuel slows down, and, in the midst of cheering and hurrahs, Ana climbs inside, smiling broadly at her co-conspirators in the great truck caper. We're positive that those of you who know Ana are very disappointed right now because you didn't get to witness this for yourselves! It was typically Ana...no fear; no hesitation, no worries! Our participants become her family for a week, and we have a schedule to keep!...truck in the way?...no problem! Ana fixed it!
Yes, this our Ana, and we wouldn't want her any other way! Would you?
Click here to see the incident in pictures...
To see the memories for the March 8 thru 15 participants, click here ...
posted by Focus_on_Mexico | 10:04 AM
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