In my experience, Republican lawyers from Washington, DC generally do not share my attitudes about anything...politics, economics, society, race, religion, cars, food preferences, cologne, razor blades, pets, vacations...you name it, we'll disagree. On rare ocassion, though, I'm surprised, as I was today.
An attorney who is on retainer to one of my client associations returned my call this afternoon. We chatted about my question, which dealt with a pretty mundane issue of interest and relevance only to the specific client. After we covered that matter, he seemed to be in the mood to chat generally. Since his fees do not vary based on the time he spends (within reason), I was game. I've chatted with him before and found that I enjoyed our conversations.
He inquired about whether I have plans to drive to Mexico this summer. Last year, about this time, during one of our chats, I told him I hoped to drive with a brother to Mexico. I explained that it was a possibility, but nothing had been solidified.
Our conversation about driving in Mexico continued and evolved. Before long, we were talking about taking a bus from the border to towns deep in Mexico, something I have not done but a brother has. The attorney expressed an interest in doing something like that...i.e., taking a bus from a border town to a city deep in the interior or southern sector. He talked longingly about Jack Keroauac and said he related well to Keroauac's tales of travel on the road.
This guy, this attorney, strikes me as a deeply conservative guy, both politically and socially. So, it was a surprise to hear him talk about life on the road. Further conversation revealed that he was not really looking to adopt that lifestyle, but really wished he could experience something like a Mexican bus trip. I invited him to come along if I chose to do something like that, but he said his wife and kids would have something to say about him leaving them for a wierd road trip.
I'm not making my plans, of course, but after talking to him today, the idea of a Mexican bus adventure appeals to me. The attorney isn't going to make the trip, but I might. I'm fundamentally a 'fraidy cat' so I might have to wait awhile, but I do want to make the trip. And maybe I'm too creaky and squeeky and have bones that are too achy to do it the way I envision. I may have to take a luxury coach, complete with stewards who serve snacks and drinks and offer me hot wash-cloths and offer movie options on the personal DVD player.
Yess, today was another odd day. Yes, it was. I spoke to the publisher of Venues Today, a publication that replaced another that died a few years ago after the death of its cousin, a tabloid that had been around for 100 years and then some.
The publisher and the lawyer. The three of us should wade into Mexico on a bus, carrying with us a few bottles of fine tequila and fresh limes.
2 comments:
Hmmm. You haven't read The Crossing (Cormac McCarthy), have you. ;-)
I think a lot of people we identify as Republicans are really Libertarians (not necessarily an improvement). The open road personified by Keroauac would be the ultimate Libertarian experience.
That said, I have some treasured acquaintances from my business experience, that I would cheerfully shiv if I saw them on their way to the voting booth.
They probably have tequila.
Travel light, I say.
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