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| Arcadio Diaz riding on his way home. |
I woke up unusually early to the sounds of screaming roosters as if they were 5:00 a.m. alarm clock. I crawl out of bed, trying not to wake up my wife Maria who still was smelling like last nights' tequila. I loaded up my camera backpack and tripod and tip toed through Imelda's house trying to zig zag my way around my brother in laws and friends. They lay on the living room floor and couches laying spread out in various positions snoring with their mouths open. They are also victims of "The Toros" and dance the previous night.
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The morning ritual. Bringing home the maize for tortillas.(Click on picture to download a full size photo.) |
It seems that I'm the only person awake in the house and probably the whole town. Its still dark and the sun has not even started to rise on its next day. I stand on the street anxiously awaiting that special light that only happens at sun up or sun down. The air is filled with the smell of tortillas cooking and burnt mesquite.
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5 town elders reminiscing of yesteryear. (From left to right: Mr. Pedro Hernandez, Daniel Meza Sr., Mr. Lauriano Ruiz, Mr. Jesus Corona, and Senor Guadalupe Canal Jr. (Click on picture to download a full size photo.)
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Not expecting to see anyone out this early, I was surprised to see the streets full pedestrians and activity. The streets are full of the bright eyed persons that have been waking up this early most of their adult lives and continue to do so to this day. They are the ones that dissapeared from the fiestas so early the previous night. They are our
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Another morning ritual. Street sweeping and watering the street.(Click on picture to see a full size image.) |
mothers and fathers who made coffee and tortillas for us in the mornings when we were growing up. They are the town Elders.
Each day its seems, many of the older people of the town wake up to the morning ritual of sweeping the front porches of their homes free from the previous day's dirt.
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Salvador Topete R.I.P. (Since I took his photo in 1999, Salvador has sadly past away.)(Click on picture to download a full size photo.) |
They then spray the street in front of the house with water. Water on the streets cuts down the airborn dust and silt as horses and cars drive by during the day.
Though not generally employed, as I look around at the town's elder population, it seems they never really stop working. In the mornings, they are seen everywhere, if not working, cleaning or cooking, they are going here or there.
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| Salvador Arias taking in an afternoon siesta under the protective shade of the trees bordering the plaza. (Click on picture to download a full size photo.) |
In the afternoons, a stroll down the plaza located at the center of town can reveal many elders sitting on a bench, under the protective shade of a tree. They sit watching, talking, dreaming and even sleeping. (Perhaps this is the price of waking up so early!)
This is not to say that the elders of Unión de Tula do not hold their own. Unlike in the U.S., the elders of this city are very rugged individuals. If you look at their hands, you
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Daniel Meza, Sr. A victim of 'La Cruda' being treated by the local doctor the next morning.(Click on picture to see a full size image.) |
will see thick callous grown over years of hard work. The elders I have seen are all strong as many half their age and are extremely active. I didn't see or hear of any elders on walkers or wheelchairs as seen so often in the states. The people of this city, due to their active lifestyle and diet, have a tendency of living longer than their american
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Jesus Arechiga, Patricio Valadez with 2 other friends in the relaxation zone a.k.a. 'The Plaza'. (Click on picture to see a full size image.) |
counterparts. A few elders sometimes forget how old they are and end up partying just as hard as the adults. The elders of Unión de Tula seem to be born and die on two feet.
With their children married off and starting their own families, many elderly end up in a
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Rambo (Salvador Ochoa) had a little too much to drink today...well everyday... |
large empty home. Without work, it was customary for parents to stay at their childrens' homes. Recently without income or any form of social security, many of the town elders are forced to sell their homes for smaller more affordable residences.
Despite, it seems there is no shortage of friends to talk to and things to do for the elderly in Unión de Tula. Many I spoke with say they are extremely happy. Many which were born in Unión de Tula also wish to die in Unión de Tula as well. Even though many young adults migrate to the United states for work, it seems a common dream is to come back to Unión de Tula during the golden years of their life to live out their years.
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