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There is almost a shocking inevitability in life, that you are not going to get what you want. The phrase 'you can acheive anything you set your mind to' was probably stolen by one of the few people in life that became successful off the back of a further 1000 that didn't. Growing up, you dream and aspire to be many different things, but the likely path is you will never get close to acheiving you hearts desire.
Fortunately my friends, I am not one of these people. My name is Dudley Brook, and this is my story....
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"aw man, how do you stand this heat?" I mused to no-one in particular. I had just touched down in the magical country of Mexico. I am here after quitting my job back home, for no other reason than I hate people, and, as a chef, sooner or later you are going to poison someone. I am not sure what brought me to Mexico, but I have a couple of friends here who offered me a place to stay, and with the promise of uninterrupted peace and quiet I jumped on the first plane I could find... (not quite the first one I could find, but you get the idea) and flew into what can only be described as Armageddon on Acid. "so much for the uninterrupted peace.... Hey! Mara!, Edgar!"
After the initial catch up, the conversation quickly changed to what am I going to do with myself. I had a keen desire to take at least a month or 2 off and take a look as to what this country could offer a young, single lad from the fields of West Sussex.
After a couple of days in Mexico City, it was time to strike out and see what I could find. Despite an almost child-like grasp of Spanish, I was convinced that this would not hold me back, so I jumped on a bus heading for Cuernavaca.
One thing that amazes me about people in different countries, is that they welcome you without question. At home a smile on the street is met with feelings ranging from indifference to anger, here it is a conversation starter, and more than once I awoke in a strange bed after having one too many Mezcals after a smile towards a local. And one memorable occasion saw me awaking in the arms of a senorita who was susceptable to the charms of an Engleesh gentleman
Unfortunately, being a little bit naive, and innocent, I was taken advantage of (in a nice way) when a local suggested I visit the majestic state of Durango. Awaiting me here would be a lush terrain full of mountain, rivers and a cool laid-back approach to life, bordering on lazy...... This is the last time I listen to a local!
I took a long bus journey up towards the north of the country, and became slightly concerned by the lack of life, and even scarier, lack of anything, and as we approached a big sign marked "Welcome To Durango" I almost expected a line underneath reading "where dreams come to die", and as the bus came to a halt, I wondered which passenger would be crazy enough to have to get off here, and quickly scanning the bus, I realised I was one of only 2 people. And the driver didn't seem to be moving... :eek:
As I was shepharded off of the bus, the bewildered driver gave me a look of "What the hell is a little gringo going to do in durango?", and he pointed towards a tiny little shack off the main road, and in broken English, informed me that it was the Tourist Office. "Oh you can go fu... was all I could manage, as the driver swung the bus around and headed back the way we came. ..rself".
Now I know why I hadn't been alerted to the magnificence of Durango, because on first glance, if you don't like Sand or Scorpions, then there is no good reason on Earth for you to be here. However, I thought of myself as a resourceful chap, so I picked up my bags and headed toward the 'luxury' of 2 minutes shade, before I wondered how I was going to get towards something like civilisation. Fortunately, and maybe even miraculously I wasn't alone....
"erm.. Hola? Hola?" I tentatively asked as I strolled towards the shack. Although as I got closer, turns out the shack was bigger than first appeared, and the first thing I noticed was a big red pickup parked out back... "at least I can get a ride to the nearest hint of civilisation" I whispered, but then the smell of food hit me, and my stomach let out a low growl. Almost like a minion of the antichrist stirring in its sleep... With little option available to me, I tentatively walked round to the front door...
As I walked past one of the windows on the way to the door. I had to stop and take a look. (One of the traits of the English, an inability to walk/run/drive past anything without taking a look inside) and the sight that my eyes lingered over, were 2 women. Both around my age, One cooking, hence the smell, and the other, just sitting on a recliner reading. the next problem on my list was attempting to speak to them. So I approached the door and knocked.
Now, I know what you are thinking. Middle of nowhere, 2 young ladies, mysterious stanger from far off foreign lands arriving from seemingly nowhere, all I needed was some Jazz music, and one of the best dreams I ever had could come true. Unfortunately 2 things that you should know about Mr Brook. 1. Crippling Shyness, which is the product of living in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by either old people, middle-aged families, and babies. All of which lend themselves to no assistance whatsoever with the ladies. and 2. If there was an awards cermony for clumsiness, hell , I would take home all the medals, and they would change the name of the ceremony to "The Dudley's". So with my cool, confident demeanour lurking somewhere in another dimension & being drenched in sweat from the midday sun. What can only be described as a dehydrated lobster was greeted by looks of confusion, humour and relief that I was very obviously not a sexual predator, out to take advantage of these 2. Coupled with my tripping over my undone laces and landing face first on the floor, any romantic/amourous adventures I was hoping for were runing off into the desert, with no hope of coming back
Thanks to the wonderful world of co-incidence, one of these ladies spent 2 years at a college in Canada studying tourism ( ), so the language barrier was not an issue and after sampling some delicious local food, and finding out nuggets of information about the local area (mainly suggestions on how to leave, I might add) No wonder Tourism doesn't really exist I managed to convince the ladies to give me a lift into the nearest town. Although, with a promise of a meal and a few drinks, I think they were warming to my charms... :cool:
Looking back, it should of been obvious.... they were both very pretty young ladies, only goes to prove they should have boyfriends... so there I was the 5th wheel now paying for 5 peoples dinner... although once the men had given me the once over, they decided I was no threat to them... (story of my life) and we actually had a good evening. With the Cervesa (and then Tequila) flowing, I awoke a few hours later, in another unfamiliar room. (I must stop doing that) As it turns out, one of the guys works for a 'local' football team, and I suggested (at around 3 am) I go down to the ground, teach them a thing or 2.... Me and my big mouth.
From Desert to Dreamland 
), so the language barrier was not an issue and after sampling some delicious local food, and finding out nuggets of information about the local area (mainly suggestions on how to leave, I might add) No wonder Tourism doesn't really exist I managed to convince the ladies to give me a lift into the nearest town. Although, with a promise of a meal and a few drinks, I think they were warming to my charms... :cool:
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