Sometimes things happen in San Pedro that just make me love the place a little bit more. Day to day stuff, nothing major or exciting. For example, today at one of the shops we use we observed the following.

Local drunk, who is well tolerated but often a nuisance causing trouble in shop. Lady shopkeeper smacks him from behind the counter and helper throws him out of the shop door with lady shopkeeper making her feelings known in Spanish. Local drunk, in a fit of pique, throws his lunch on the ground outside of the shop door, shouts and swears and starts staggering off. Next door neighbour comes out, grabs drunk, smacks him again and pushes him back towards the shop all the time shouting at him in Spanish and pointing to the mess. Clearly telling drunk that he must clean it up. Drunk sullenly mumbles that he has nothing to clean it with. Neighbour storms into bodega, storms out, throws broom and bucket at him. Drunk sweeps up his mess, looks sheepish and staggers off home.

It is amazing how the community deals with its own issues. Everyone got a few minutes of entertainment, no harm was done and there was no drama or police necessary.

That must have been a sight! Good for the shopkeeper and neighbor!

Why on earth would someone even post something like this ?

Why not, sounds like good community policing to me. And a change in attitude towards litter bugs.

Indeed Simon. Some of us have a different perspective on daily life in San Pedro. We find delight and pleasure in the small day to day things that happen here. This was a window into the sort of thing that happens here all the time and provides an insight into true San Pedro culture.

Great story, Colly. Wish the shop owners here would do the same with the grafitti 'artists'! Would make a huge difference in our community.

C.,

You ought to do a San Pedro version of Overheard in New York!

--Lan Sluder

I found it to be a charming story myself...

Great story! Neighbors looking out for each other? Not in my neighborhood. Some of us "nexpatriates" who hope to live there some day like to hear about the local flavor of San Pedro. But it makes me miss it even more!

big laugh. life is good.....