“I would now like to call Filipe Masetti Leite on stage to say a few words to the people of Cuencame,” director of culture, Jaime Favelas told the large crowd gathered in the main square.
With over a hundred people gathered in front of me, I nervously stepped up to the microphone. I had no idea I would be making a speech this chilly morning.
“Firstly, I would like to apologize for my horrible Spanish,” I told the crowd who starred up at me with puppy eyes.
“I just want to say thank you to this beautiful city that welcomed my father and I with open arms these past few days… I will never forget Cuencame and its people,” I said.
As I made my way off the stage I was swarmed with smiling faces and cameras. For the next half an hour I took pictures with men, women, babies, dogs. It was out of control. People were giving me cowboy hats to autograph as well as books and pieces of paper. I have never experienced anything like this in my entire life. I felt like a Mexican rockstar
At 11:00 am my father and I were finally allowed to leave the main square. Joined by 15 Vaqueros and Vaqueras we made our way out of town. As we rode down Cuencame’s main road, we were met with more support. People waved and took photos as we passed.
What I said during my impromptu speech is the absolute truth – I will never forget this little town in the state of Durango! In the two days we spent there we made many friends, spoke to the media, met the mayor and even bought a Burro! That’s right, Journey America gained a new member. After speaking to the mayor about our trip, he told us how there were many mules and burros in this area. My farther and I had thought about buying one to carry the pack and give the ponies a break for a while, but we never really looked into it much. This seemed like the perfect opportunity, especially when the Mayor offered to sponsor half of the cost!
After an entire day looking at more than 10 burros and mules we stumbled upon our man! It was already dark out when we saw a black figure tied to a tree. We weren’t sure if it was a horse or a burro but when he turned his head and his extra-large ears poked up, we were certain. My father and I walked up to him and noticed he was very nervous. He didn’t look too happy.
After a few minutes searching we discovered his owner drinking beers with a friend and asked if he would sell his burro.
“I’ve been trying to sell that thing for months now.”
“I was about to send him to the slaughter house where I would at least get some money,” he told us with a large beer bottle in hand.
Faith had brought us here to take this little guy to a better place! I immediately said we would buy him and that very night the owner rode our new burro 11 kms to where Bruiser, Frenchie and Dude were resting.
Since Cuencame is known as the “land of generals” for its importance during the Mexican revolution, we dubbed our nameless burro General Cuencame! The first few days he was a little fresh, but with time the General has become a great pack burro. He is little but super strong! Bruiser and Frenchie don’t mind him much but Dude tries to kill him at every opportunity. Luckily our little Burro is quick and can defend himself! I hope with time the two will learn to like each other. We will take General Cuencame as far as he is willing to help us. If he becomes too tired we will find a good home for him along the way! If he is strong enough, he will travel to Mexico City where my father flies back to Brazil and the General will gain a new life. A burro in the big city – Good movie title!
The days after leaving Cuencame were hard but fun. We were treated like kings in the small town of 12, de Diciembre, with a special Lamb dinner being cooked just for us. After 3 days on the road, we rode into our fourth Mexican state – Zacatecas! My father and I were very tired but the large green plaque gave us new life. The next morning we were introduced to the “aire” (winds) that plague Mexico this time of the year. With winds blowing at around 40 mph my father and I struggled to move with our ponies. A wall of red dirt rose around us as we rode with our heads tilted to the side to prevent our hats from blowing to Guatemala. The only way to ride was to tie our scarfs in front of our noses and mouth. At the end of each day we had dirt in our ears, nose, hair…. everywhere. It was a horrible few days for both the horses and ourselves.
Luckily we were met by the “Cabalgantes de Rio Grande” 20 km’s outside of the city – that’s when the partying began! Joined by over 20 members we drank beers and laughed as we made our way into town. My father and I were surprised with a shirt from the Cabalgantes that carried our names and the Brazilian & Mexican flags on each sleeve. I can’t even begin to explain the overwhelming amount of support we have received here in Rio Grande. The men and women here have treated us like family and made our stay here very special. Our horses are staying at the “Placa de Torros” here in town while we are being hosted for free by the hotel “El Carreton.”
To my surprise some of our friends here have participated in the Calgary Stampede’s Parade!
“We rode in the parade dressed in our authentic Charro wear… It was an amazing experience, it is such a beautiful event,” Jose Hernandez Noyola told me.
Muchas Gracias para todos os Cabalgantes de Rio Grande, Zacatecas! Somos familia ahora.
To the capital we go! Should be in the city of Zacatecas Saturday for more Cerveza and Tequila. Mexico, you are rocking my world.
