Periodically I am going to write about some fine people I have met in Mexico and how they have, in their own way, been heroes or heroines. I think I will start with Teresa V. I first met her about 7 years ago when I was looking for places to house students in the city of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. I was given her name as a possible source so I went to look her up. I had to knock hard on one of those daunting yet beautiful old colonial wooden doors. As I stood before the huge closed doors I was certain that I would be turned away on my mission. People behind such doors are usually not that accessible, especially to a foreigner. I was surprised when, after announcing myself to the little intercom mounted into the wall, that a buzzer signaled to me to push open the heavy door. Inside I followed the garden path to the house in back where I was greeted by a beautiful, dynamic women with the most startling green eyes. From the first moment Teresa exuded enthusiasm and her warmth embraced me. Although she did not have the facilities that I needed she took that extra step and got on the telephone and started to call around to friends and others who might be able to help me in my quest. I left with a list of places to visit. From that moment on I felt like I wanted to know her better but did not really expect to.
Several months went by and it turns out that by the time I had the program in place and students on their way, her situation had changed.
Tragically her husband had died of a heart attack in the ensuing months at age 52 on the very day that she had received certification to open as a hotel. This colonial house had belonged to her in laws and she had been periodically renting rooms to transient students but had wanted to convert the building into a family run hotel. I was familiar with this city block because in the 1940's DH Lawrence lived in the house in front and described the whole block which was then at the outer edge of town. Her husband's death was a shock and it took a couple of months for Teresa to continue with the plans they had started. However, instead of retreating into herself, she moved forward with an increased determination that was admirable. Her only child, a daughter, was living in Mexico City studying to be a lawyer. So, Teresa was on her own.
In 5 years she has accomplished an incredible feat. Through shear hard work and perseverance she has made her hotel, Las Mariposas, a huge success. Recently she managed to acquire adjoining property that was originally part of the family compound and expanded to 20 rooms. All during this time Teresa has arisen early, gone to the local market to buy the delicious tropical fruit and fresh baked sweet bread that she serves her guests in the morning along with the aromatic cinnamon coffee that is traditional in Mexico. Living on the property means that she is ever present. She greets guests, helps them plan their tours, gives impromptu Spanish lessons, and takes care of them in myriad other ways. She is tireless and always sparkles.
These are the visible signs one sees that set her apart as a very special person. There are, however, other layers that make her, for me, the heroine of this article.
For example, she lives her faith in a quiet but very active manner. Not many people know that for 20 years on Sundays she has gone to the local market to buy a couple of boxes of groceries which she then takes to families in need. She does this because she believes it is the right thing to do and because she considers herself to be very fortunate in her life.
Then, last year during the turmoil that Oaxaca experienced when the unrest literally shut down the city and stopped tourism, rather than let her staff go as everyone else was doing, she kept them on. She paid them out of her savings since that was the right thing to do. She provided them this assistance for over 6 months.
I like to see folks who live a life true to their beliefs, who have a sense of right and wrong. I believe that Teresa is a shinning example of a person who has put tragedy behind herself and who has considered the welfare of others to be part of her social responsibility. I consider it an honor to be her friend. I also invite you, if you are ever in Oaxaca, to look her up and to perhaps stay at her hotel, Las Mariposas.