"Acá soy un señor"

Sr. Flores is a friend of my host mom's, and he belongs to the cadre of old-time cajabambinos who have a lifetime of town history and stories to share. The other day, he was talking about why he loves Cajabamba, and why he continues to live here after 70+ years:

(translated) "Do you know why I like Cajabamba? In Cajabamba I'm a "señor" - everywhere I go people say, "good morning, Sr. Flores," or, "how are you, Sr. Flores?" When I go to Lima, everybody pushes and bumps into me, and not a single person greets me."

This is the essence of the joy that comes from living in a small town: not only are people more traditional and more tranquilo, but they really know one another. People greet each other, and not just with the passing wave of acquaintances, but with the cross-the-street-and-chat-for-a-minute handshake of those who are truly a part of each other's lives. It's been a privilege for me to have been woven into such a close-knit community, and to have felt so many times the warmth of one of those street-corner greetings.