Only in Canada TEACAPAN, SINALOA, Mexico — Under a needlessly extravagant Mexican sunset, Maria and I drove through the cocenut palm groves to Esquinapa where she was sup- posed to board a bus that would bear her off directly to Mexico City. I didn’t believe that when I heard her make the reservation on our village’s telephone. I still didn’t believe it as we drove to the not very distinguished town of Esquinapa. Why should Esquinzpa (60,000 souls) have a unique and direct connection with the world’s big- gest city of 18, 20 or 22 million people? But, then, Maria is herself a chilanga, which is the nickname for Mexico City residents. Chilangos are noted for their re- sourcefulness, Who knows what she might accomplish? Maria had spent several years in Vancouver where she reached the conclusion that Canadians are more to be pitied than envied. They are, she said, so appallingly obedient. “*The Americans are very bad about it, but Canadians are worse. If somebody in authority told all the Canadians to jump into Niagara Falls, they would do it, one by one.”’ In Vancouver she was ac- customed to paying fines for jaywalking. “I just had to jaywalk. It was a matter of life and death for me. I knew I was coming back to Mex- ico City some day and if i return- ed thinking I had a right of way because of some silly traffic light I would be aead within a week in Mexico City.”’ On another occasion, however, she did resist the distressing Ca- nadian tendency to obey rather than obstruct. She had paid a one-dollar bus fee instead of $1.25 and when she asked for a transfer ticket the driver wanted the extra quarter. She argued. He stopped the bus, turned to face the passengers and said, “This bus is stopping here. [’r afraid you will all have to walk two blocks to Kootenay Loop.” “Only in Canada,”’ said Maria, _ Paul St. Pierre yy Soe PAULITICS & PER “Only in Canada. Those passen- gers should have got up and thrown him off his bus. Instead, they all walked off, leaving me with the driver. “‘An inspector came and I told him I didn’t have another quarter. I did, of course, but my resistance had been aroused. So we three drove to Kootenay Loop, passing the other passengers on the way. They were all trooping along like kindergarten children who ar> taught to hold a rope to keep themselves together on side- walks.” Maria finally wrote a cheque for 25 cents, which she calculated would cost B.C. Hydro a few dollars to cash, and rode downtown. By the time these observations of national character ended, we were in Esquinapa at the White Star bus terminal where, yes in- deed, Maria had a reservation on the next bus and no, no indeed, it did not go directly or any other way to Mexico City. It went to Guadelajara. This is where the gringo will make himself ridiculous by stand- ing on his rights, which he doesn’t have, and warning darkly that heads will roll, which they will not. My chilanga friend was far too sophisticated fo. that. She uttered not so much as a cheep of complaint. She and the young lady at the ticket counter had a delightful conversation about this and that. They parted with expressions of the utmost personal concern for each other, Maria explaining that her reservation must be kept as she would be returning to claim it just before departure time. She had no intention of return- ing. Whether the ticket lady thought she had I cannot testify. Some mysteries are too deep. We drove to the Three Stars of Gold bus station. | went to the smoked meat stand and Maria went elsewhere. She was back in five minutes. “It’s much better here. [ don’t need a ticket at all.’* She had my interests there. “*The fare to Mexico City is $60,000 so I am paying it directly to the chauffeur. They’re the people who decide where you'll go and how, the chauffeurs. “T also gave him an extra $30,000 and I am sure he’s going to look after me extremely well.” He was. He came over, even as we spoke, dressed in spotless uniform pressed as if for gradua- tion day at West Point. He picked up Maria's bags and took then? to the big Greyhound bus which was panting by the curb. “*it’s so much better when you cut out the middie man,"’ said Maria. I had never heard ticket sellers called middle men before. It was an intriguing thought. I might have pointed out that in Vancouver she could have cut out the B.C, Hydro middleman, the inspector, and dealt directly with the chauffeur at Kootenay Loop. But that, perhaps, would have been too logical a thought. Chitangos are bright, witty and vigorous people, but law and logic are not high on their lists of priorities. RLOCK Wall Systems Inc. A NEW AIRTIGHT WA his relatively rew but simple system has bean developed to meet tho increasing demand for quality homs construction at cost and time savings. 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STONES at the CN IMAX. . CONGRATULATIONS! Dave Roitner Justin Mercler Russ Smith Colin Campbell John Adair Marylou MacKenzie Marie Dirlik Janine Crocock Eileen Keane Peter Hepplewhite THE YORE OF HORTHE PO WEST VANCOUVER