Last night, Amy and I drove into Oaxaca and headed to Llano Park, where a lively "feria" has been set up for the holidays. These traveling fairs, which appear in different locations throughout the year, are a delightful mix of mechanical rides, games, food stalls, and cultural exhibitions—bringing joy to communities wherever they go.
We arrived just as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the park. The feria was beginning to come alive, with flashing lights, swirling rides, and music building to a festive crescendo. The air was thick with the smell of roasted corn, sweet churros, and fried delights, mingling with the excited chatter of families and children.
Amy has a knack for games of chance and skill, so we plunged into the action. She threw darts at balloons, went fishing for surprises, operated cranes that teased at stashes of stuffed toys, bowled oversized marbles into numbered holes, and even took her chances at a horse-racing game.
Later in the evening, I decided to join her at the horse-racing table. Standing side by side, I reached into my pocket for some change, but as I faced the track, I felt a gentle tug on my sleeve. Turning around, I found a young woman looking at me with concern.
“You dropped your money,” she said, gesturing to the bills at my feet.
For a moment, my heart skipped a beat. I had left my wallet at home to avoid the risk of pickpockets, opting instead to carry cash in my pocket. I bent down to pick up the bills, feeling both relief and gratitude. Smiling, I thanked her profusely and offered a tip, which she accepted with a gracious nod. As I watched her walk away, I couldn’t help but feel touched by her honesty and kindness.
By the end of the night, Amy was triumphant, returning home with an armful of stuffed animals and prizes. True to her generous spirit, she plans to share them with our neighbors’ children—a small token of the joy the feria brought us.
What a fun and memorable night.
