Friendly Favours

(My apologies for not posting something sooner but I've been having major headaches with my ISP! I had a terrific blog started on Sunday but lost it when CosmoRed crapped out on me! Thank you for your patience. -- Juliana xo)

Lately, there has been a lot of controversy in my life about "favours". Frequently, I am asked by my friends (and even blog readers I've never met) what I need/want from NOTB. Usually my frivolous requests for gum or candy are granted and the gifts are delivered by happy people on vacation who are thrilled to do this small favour for me. I remember I felt the same way when I was a tourist, bringing stuff down for the people who lived here. For the most part, the satisfaction I received from giving was enough repayment. I didn't ask people to reimburse me for my gifts although I'm sure they always offered, as I do now.

My first true experience with this "give and take" down here was during the initial Goddess Convention. My friend John Russell offered to pick the four of us up at the airport and transport us to our accomodations at Puesta del Sol. In exchange, we agree to bring numerous pints of Guiness for John. I had never met John in person but we had corresponded online for quite some time. What a great trade I made that day! Not only did I make a friend for life, but I experienced the joy of giving and receiving a favour from a friend (although the sight of John's car was a little disconcerting!) ;)

When I first moved here in October 2003, my future "landlords" were still in the process of closing the deal on the condo in which I was going to live so I needed to find another place to stay upon my arrival. I called my friend Jeff Musto about his place at Plazamar. I had stayed there before and really liked it. I have also referred numerous people to Jeff since then so I was confident that if he was able to rent me one of his units, he would, even on short notice. I only needed two nights accomodation and was surprised when Jeff said to take it for five nights, at no charge. Apparently he was familiar with real estate deals in Mexico! I will always be thankful to him for that. (You can see Jeff's condos at http://www.internetpv.com/!)

Shortly after my arrival here, someone did me a small favour and as is my custom (and maybe yours), I said to her, "I owe you one!". She jumped all over me, telling me that wasn't necessary and that's not how things "worked" down here. Well I can tell you from my experiences living in PV, that nothing could be further from the truth. If there was ever any place in the world where the "you scratch my back, I'll scratch your back" philosophy was embraced by so many, it is here in Vallarta! From the tour guides to the OPCs, from the restaurants to the jewellery stores, EVERYONE here does for one another and there is always some type of exchange involved. I get a discount or a free drink whenever I take new people to a favourite restaurant. We pay commissions to anyone who sends potential customers to our store. It is a way of life down here and it works!

I was recently berated online because I asked someone to bring me some Hershey's kisses. I was told that I could buy them here, at Sam's Club. All I had to do was find the time to go out there and get them. Oh and buy a membership card too! This was my reply: "People who have visited PV before know you can't always get "stuff from home" here and being generous of spirit, they are always asking us what we need/want. I can hardly say "Bring me your unmarried sons!". When I was a tourist, I used to offer all the time! It was a way for me to say thank you to the people down here who were giving me their time and advice. I didn't mind then and I certainly don't mind being on the receiving end now! I really don't see what the big deal is! If you don't want to do it, don't do it. No one is DEMANDING that you bring them anything! Better yet, direct your generosity towards the refugio or the cats by the Rio. I don't really need no stinkin' chocolates! Fair enough?"

My two "brothers" down here are perfect examples of this give and take. One wanted a job so I asked my boss if she was hiring. He came in to meet her, aced the interview and is now impressing the hell out of her! I got my job at Viva through a friend. I am so happy to be able to pass on this good fortune to someone else, especially someone as deserving as James. My other "brother" gave me some money last summer so that I could fly to Vallarta for a week. He just wrote out a cheque and mailed it to me, no strings attached. I was in the position to return this "favour" recently when Mary Sue was looking for someone with his skillset. Jeff is now working for Viva too! MSM calls me her own private personnel agency. ;)

So try not to forget the nice things that people have done for you in the past. If you have the chance to "repay" them, please do so. If they're gone from your life or not in a position to accept your favour, pass it on to someone else. It will be good karma if you do.