Wichita, Kansas

We are going to add new feature to the beginning of each blog post and that will be a map showing where we are – so here is the first map.  We are the red dot.

We only had to drive 256 miles today so we did not worry about getting an early start.  June Yvonne slept in and we had breakfast.   We drove for 40 miles and left Oklahoma which we thought was pretty flat then we crossed the border into Kansas which is flat as a pancake.  Oklahoma is rather hill compared to Kansas.  Nothing really interesting to write about other than we saw our first dead armadillo by the side of the road.  How’s that for exciting.

Well it did get a little more interesting at the RV Park – we were enjoying some gourmet sandwiches at Subway and this old fella walks in and asks if we were from out of town – I replied “yes, we are from Phoenix Arizona” – he walked a little closer to our table and then asked “aren’t you afraid of all them Mexicans?” – June Yvonne lit up like a roman candle and I’ll let her tell you the story.   PRC

On the drive through  Kansas,  I set my mind to appreciating  Middle America, the “Heartland” of the US of A. I noticed the pretty pastures, quilting supply stores, John Deere tractors, green waves of grain, etc. It’s a different culture for me…

So we walked to the Subway for dinner tonight.  A nice older gentleman started a conversation with us and Peter told him we were from Phoenix, AZ.  He wanted to know how far we lived from Mexico. (I began to see where this was heading…) We told him about 200 miles and he asked, “Aren’t you afraid of all them Mexicans?

Of course I said, “I am a Mexican.” His response didn’t help matters any – His face paled a little – his back stiffened up and he said, “I mean those hostile Mexicans.”  He visually expressed regret for his comment and with his head down he shuffled out of the restaurant not wanting to pursue the conversation.   I wonder who he voted for.

I realize that the majority of Midwesterner’s are not afraid of “them Mexicans.”  However, it’s a reminder of how often these attitudes are lurking unspoken below the surface. I’ll still appreciate the Midwest as we head to Missouri, Indiana, and Michigan.

And, of course Happy Mother’s Day to all us mothers including those who nurtured , raised and loved young ones who were not their children by birth.

It’s warm here in Wichita (91 degrees).   We have a long drive to Columbia, MO so it will be an early night and an early morning start.

Buenas  Noches mi querida  familia  y amigas/os.

 JY