Thursday, June 9, 2011

A Virtual Consulate Por Puerto Peñasco!

-by El Gitano Peñasco, "The Peñasco Gypsy"

Mucho fan fare seems to have been made about the new Penasco "Virtual Consulate" deal that is being set up to assist the Gringos living or visiting Peñasco so they can obtain information on rules, laws (including migration) and other important issues.

Although it seems it is going to take a full (projected) year before the new doo-da is 100% operational, I guess it is a good deal even though the intent and information to be provided is already pretty much available online for those willing to do a little ‘googling’...

Maybe the new consulate deal will also provide other information not readily available that would benefit Gringos, which naturally got me to thinking that maybe we should all contribute ideas and send our suggestions in to help out the cause.

Like for example, Gringos might want to know why it is when they walk into a mom and pop grocery store and it is absolutely dead silent throughout, that when they get to the checkout stand all of a sudden a robust conversation breaks out between the cashier, the kids standing by to ‘bag’ the goodies, and both the cashier and youngsters examine with great interest and discuss at length everything being purchased?

Or, while standing in a very long line at the bank, without fail when their turn arrives for the next teller another patron walks in the door, bypasses the entire line and heads swiftly and straight to that teller asking questions or trying to take care of their own banking needs?

And what about language issues? Like, when staying at a local hotel for the first time and discovering there is no soap to take a shower with the Gringo looks for a maid and asks awkwardly, “Yo need sopa”. And Juanita responds with a big heartwarming smile, shrugs, says “Si, Como No” and disappears down the hall, returning some time later with what the Gringo asked for: A bowl of soup.

All I’m saying is there is probably a lot we can all contribute to this new “Virtual” consulate deal and I’m sure they’d really appreciate the input and if you don’t want to send your suggestion directly to the consulate then feel free to post ‘em here and we’ll send ‘em them over for their consideration! :)

A Gypsy can always dream!

¡Viva Puerto Peñasco y México!

elgitanopenasco@gmail.com
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. -Mark Twain