March 13, 2005
Tio Raul
This is my Tio Raul on one of his ranches near Paras, Nuevo Leon in Mexico. The picture is circa 1984 right before he died. He was tough and many people were more than a little scared of him. He would always refer to me as a criminal or as that "no good" "gringo viejo".
One of his ranches had a big orange orchard. I would travel out there with him in the back of his truck (along with the dogs) and once we arrived I would go deep into the orchard and climb one of the trees. At lunch he would come out and try to find me. This was never difficult as the dogs always slept under my tree, but he would make a show of it, cursing my name while I tried to sit very very still. Eventually he would spy me and shout at me while I would laugh hysterically. Then he would say, "I guess you have to eat." and throw up tacos wrapped in foil. He would sit under the tree and eat his lunch keeping me company. I would ask long questions from up in my perch. He would respond with short gruff answers. Afterwards he would toss me a pocketknife so I could cut some oranges and mutter that only monkeys liked trees so much. Then he would go finish his work and I would stay up in the tree the rest of the afternoon reading and daydreaming...
I miss that world sometimes. I miss the long ride in the back of a dusty pickup. I miss the smell of orange trees on a hot day. And I miss being cursed and called "el gringo viejo" by my Tio Raul.
03/13/05 10:31 AM
S T K said...
your blog is always a delight. thanks.
05/02/05 11:54 PM
Grace Toy said...
A very heart-warming story. I could just picture it in my mind.
11/26/05 01:28 AM
Kabrera said...
Parras de La Fuente is one of the beauties places in Coahuila. I went there with my fiance and a friend of us and spent some day for my b-day. I was happy also.
11/26/05 01:28 AM
Kabrera said...
did you speak spanish?
11/26/05 07:10 PM
raul said...
We got married in Paras de la Fuente, but this is Parras which is a different city in a different state (Nuevo Leon).. I do speak Spanish, but my written Spanish is terrible.
05/20/08 09:31 AM
Roberto said...
thanks for your quick reply.
I am now puzzled by it all,and i am almost certain that i could be related to Mr. Raul, but i am not sure about this...
My grandma, who also had a big house by the plaza, just passed away last year at 97 years old, she was the eldest of her sisters. her name was Ofelia Hinojosa. Does it ring a bell? she used to be a teacher at the local primary school before she married my grandad.
I am now setteled in London, UK, but i will ask dad for more information and pics to add to your blog as I would be delighted to contribute to the site.
Fermin Cantu was also related to grandad, i belive he was his brother... (Josemaria Cantu Villareal)
saludos
01/13/10 10:28 PM
vampi said...
to roberto: I believe we are 2nd cousins my grandmother is from paras her name was petra hinojosa sister of your grandmother ofelia, we lived right in front of your grandmas house. What a small world don't you think?
01/13/10 10:28 PM
vampi said...
to roberto: I believe we are 2nd cousins my grandmother is from paras her name was petra hinojosa sister of your grandmother ofelia, we lived right in front of your grandmas house. What a small world don't you think?
01/13/10 10:28 PM
vampi said...
to roberto: I believe we are 2nd cousins my grandmother is from paras her name was petra hinojosa sister of your grandmother ofelia, we lived right in front of your grandmas house. What a small world don't you think?
01/13/10 10:28 PM
vampi said...
to roberto: I believe we are 2nd cousins my grandmother is from paras her name was petra hinojosa sister of your grandmother ofelia, we lived right in front of your grandmas house. What a small world don't you think?
01/13/10 10:28 PM
vampi said...
to roberto: I believe we are 2nd cousins my grandmother is from paras her name was petra hinojosa sister of your grandmother ofelia, we lived right in front of your grandmas house. What a small world don't you think?
01/13/10 10:29 PM
vampi said...
to roberto: I believe we are 2nd cousins my grandmother is from paras her name was petra hinojosa sister of your grandmother ofelia, we lived right in front of your grandmas house. What a small world don't you think?
01/13/10 10:29 PM
vampi said...
to roberto: I believe we are 2nd cousins my grandmother is from paras her name was petra hinojosa sister of your grandmother ofelia, we lived right in front of your grandmas house. What a small world don't you think?
06/04/10 01:58 AM
jesus said...
Hello, What kind of camera did you use here?
I love this photograph.
The pastel colors are eerie.
Thanks,
Jesus
06/04/10 09:46 AM
raul said...
It was Ektachrome slide film.
08/29/12 12:00 AM
rodolfo garcia said...
Hi Mi name is Rodolfo Garcia, mi father Rodolfo garcia Hinojosa Born in Paras N.L., my grandmother was Odila Hinojsa anales and she has a brother Raul Hinojosa thaht i think is the person on the picture could you confirm??
03/07/20 04:04 PM
Roberto said...
Hello Vampi,
so sorry for the super late reply! its been 10 years since you wrote your message and I only received it now. LOL... Yes, I met Tia Petra, i remember her very well, as she often used to come and visit my grandmother. Tia Petra was really sweet and had a good sense of humor. We all used to sit on the rocking chairs at my grandmother's porche. Tia Petra used to wear a towel over her head as the sun was scorching hot in Paras to come and meet my grandma. I was only a child but she was always very nice to me. I remember once going to visit her to her house as she wasn't very well. Eventually Tia Petrita passed away, i know my grandmother missed her dearly as they were very close. Big hug vampi, i hope you read my message. x