I was telling a story the other day out at Home Depot. The story was about how serious I am when I am traveling in Mexico, so serious I have had people stop and tell me to smile. I can’t smile though because all of my energy is focused on rehearsing what I want to ask, state, explain, try out. I try to do this and walk simultaneously. Apparently, the result is a focused, or worse, face.
If I had the words, I might respond to the smile command with some tirade about how otherwise warm Oaxacans assume a stone pose when approached by the camera, no matter how much I beg them to say cheese or whiskey. Instead I muster a smile and return to studying my lines.
