VILLA FONTANA VISITED

It might be Super Bowl Sunday with millions anticipating the game but that excitement pales in comparison to what the three of us felt as we drove out Ave. Las Bellas Artes heading for Villa Fontana. “David, drive straight until you come to the gasoline station. Then turn right. It is as easy as that.” I was in unfamiliar territory and nothing is easy when driving thusly. Despite taking a wrong turn we found the development. The large sign stated that over 3000 homes were built here in 1998.20,000 to come! ! While seeking the office, we toured the streets to see what was being done by the new homeowners. Look, over there! An empty house, let’s check it out. I think it was the 2 bedroom model. All the houses are built with cement block, stucco on both sides, clay tile roofs, and ceramic tile floors except the carpeted bedrooms. Quite impressive. Very small but everyone down here lives in cramped quarters with the exception of the rich.

Maria was walking today and this exercise was winding her, I thought. No, it was the beauty of these little houses that was taking her breath away. Can you imagine what Maria was experiencing walking through a house with a bathroom, bedrooms, a kitchen, and thinking that one day she may actually live in such a place? Marge and I were beside ourselves. I commented that a twobedroom place might be enough but Marge quickly added that Maria needed an extra room for the boys. The living room was very small and the third bedroom could be used for a mini family room. Later we saw the larger model and it was just right for this family that had never lived with running water or a toilet or privacy. “A shower, how wonderful! My boys have never showered except with a garden hose.” Let’s get over to the office and find out about 209

this project. What a crowd was milling around the office! These places were selling like the proverbial “ hotcakes”. The receptionist told me that one of the salesmen spoke English, and she moved us to the head of the line when I told her that our lady friend was paying cash. Well, the salesman did not speak English, but we toughed through the interview and got almost all the information we needed. Marge wanted to give a check to hold the house but he said no to the personal check. I thought he said that no US checks would be accepted, but that was cleared up a few days later.

The price of the three-bedroom house was $25,000. This was well below the $42k that was donated over the months. This will serve as a cushion considering Maria has nothing to take to this new house, except their beds. Saturday, February 6, we are scheduled to make the first payment on Maria’s house. This phase of Maria’s story will take many entries for months to come. What a joy it will be to put down her feelings and reactions to the beginning of a new life for the family. The braces were an exciting story but the slipper from the Prince was a perfect fit and so the Indian girl from Guadalajara will never, ever be the same.

We were still bursting with excitement when we reached Giuseppe’s restaurant. This second trip brought us all kinds of attention. The “rich Americans” had returned. I tire of telling people that we are not rich, to no avail. Maria loves the attention and that makes it worthwhile. We sipped wine, tasted the bread, and made lots of talk. Finally, we had to order our meals and then continued on with the topic of the day, the topic of her lifetime, the house, the house, the new house! The three of us shed our share of tears for joy. “Oh, I am so full of emotion, I am so happy. This is a dream I could never even think of my whole life. I have no words to show my appreciation. May I tell my boys the news?” Yes, of course. They are your family, they must share this great news.

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The excellent food took a distant second place with what we had shared today.

“Manuel, Javy, come. I have something to tell you. David, Magie, and I looked at new houses today and I hope to buy one. Just think, you will have your own bedroom, a bathroom for the first time, a roof without holes.” The boys were very quiet, there were no hoots of joy, later maybe, when the idea sinks in. There will be little sleep in that cement block room this night.

Maria, Saturday we will go to Villa Fontana and pay the down payment and then over to “Zona Rio”, to look at the furniture. Then another lunch, ok? “Yes, I am so excited, I will pay for our lunch.” This was not a question. Her pride runs deep and strong. We will never compromise it.

As I finish this entry, the rain is falling quite heavily. Forty miles from my dry, warm room, Maria Martinez Gomez sits on her bed, three buckets about the room collecting water while she dreams of that little white house so very close to a realization.

Before that luncheon date on Feb.6, we had some important business in Tijuana. Namely, furniture. Maria has none to take to the new house. Marge wanted to start looking. We went to two stores in Matamoros without any luck. Then we went back to the furniture store in Zona Rio, where the beds were purchased two years ago. Without a doubt the best place in Tijuana. Our friend Elizandro was there and greeted us with genuine friendliness. He remembered Maria and the beds. So it began, Elizandro and Marge looking at everything in the store. It was quite a project and I know that I simplify what went on. Even the owner and his son were out on the floor helping. Needless to say, Marge impressed them with her overall knowledge of furniture. She picked out several sofas, love seats, and dining sets and then informed the gentlemen that we would return on Saturday with Maria; it was her decision on what pieces would be purchased. We notified the church about the 211

checks for Saturday and that was that. Great cooperation from San Rafael. I must have checked my wallet a hundred times to make sure I had the two checks, $8000 for the house and $400 for a deposit on the furniture. I’ve got them so let’s go! ! Maria was waiting and ready and off we went to Villa Fontana. I still got mixed up on the turn-off but I’ll get it right one day. Ivan, the salesman was happy to see us, why not, who pays cash in this part of the world? Ivan does not speak any English, he doesn’t have to these days; the houses were selling like crazy. I struggled through our many questions and he answered most. On our next trip down I discovered that his boss, Javier, is bilingual. That was a blessing. Anyway, Maria signed all the papers as she was becoming closer and closer to being a real homeowner. She was very excited as were Marge and I. Later Ivan took us out to the project to see the house. Last week there were six unsold, today, two. “Number 4 or the one down the street, number 9. “Thanks, Ivan. A huge selection. It did not matter to Maria, she was on cloud nine. Marge decided that number four would be it. Remember our first trip down and we were driving the neighborhood? We stopped near here to look at the houses and met a very friendly man, a Calimax salesman and bilingual. I think that he lives very near to this house. Wouldn’t it be nice if she ended up living next door to this man?

Late afternoon was rapidly approaching as we arrived at the furniture store. Marge took Maria around to inspect the items she had selected. We both knew that when Maria saw the beautiful love seat, she would fall in love with it. A beautiful piece of furniture. The one problem was that the love seat was not a set, and she needed a sofa. This store sells everything in sets. They do not like to break a set. Don’t worry, Elizandro, we’ll pay extra if need be. Mr. Adler, the owner was on hand again for assistance. An interesting gentleman. His parents came to Mexico 70 years ago. They were European Jews and perhaps had a premonition of what 212

was to come. Mr. Adler was born and raised in Tijuana and speaks English without the slightest trace of a Mexican accent. When he and Marge got together a deal was in the making. “You like that green sofa, correct? It is part of a set but we can do something for you. It is genuine leather made in Italy.” It was beautiful. I wish we could have bought the loveseat also, but Maria does not have the room. During all of this Maria was seated on a lovely sofa taking in all the dealings. She was very at ease and appeared that this was just one of her many visits to a very elegant store. The oak dining set was an easy choice. “What else can we do for you?” Marge needed to see lamps and end tables but our friend Mr. Hadler,did not have anything along those lines.

A monumental task this; shopping almost exclusively in Mexico in order to furnish Maria’s house. She has no idea what Magie and David are embarking on.

The Indian girl from Guadalajara does have a few items; a loveseat made in North Carolina, the furniture capital of the US, and an all-leather sofa made in Italy, quite possibly the leather center of the world. On 14 February, we took a short local trip to pick up Chicago cutlery and American Echo stainless steel. Quite a cosmopolitan this friend of ours.

On 18 February, we made another whirlwind trip down to Villa Fontana and the furniture store; the second payment on Maria’s house and the balance on the furniture. What fun, two weeks and almost $19,000 spent!! Enough left to buy everything she needs, new.

Our very special friend has dragged her twisted body through 35 years of poverty and deprivation. She has survived this sad, hard life to raise two fine boys and keep her family together. Thanks to the charity of many, Maria’s life has changed forever. “Magie, Magie, Magie, I do not have the words to express my appreciation.”

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