"It is with great shock and sadness that we received the news of Hector Garza's passing on Tuesday, April 3rd, 2007 after suffering a massive heart attack as he prepared for bed in his Quinta Bougainvilleas in Izamal, Yucatan."
In Nov of 1991, after taking two trips to Guatemala the previous couple of years, our family decided to take a six week long driving trip into Mexico with our VW combi. Mona had a month or so off and Chase, at nine years old, was taken out of school and away we went. Crossing the border At McAllen, TX we headed to Monterrey and Saltillo and then through the high desert till we reached San Luis Potosi and then Queretaro. Our first ruins were at Tula and then we camped in a field in the mountains near Pachuca. In a field of cattle we actually set up a couple top-ropes at the nearest rock out crop and did a little climbing.
On to MX city and the surrounding sites, a side trip to Cuernavaca and Taxco then a drive to the city of Oaxaca. We finally reached the "Golfo de Tehuantepec" and made our way to Chiapas and Tuxtla Gutierrez and San Cristobal De Las Casas. Continuing, we visited Ococingo, Agua Azul and landed at the "Maya Bell" campground at Palenque. Off to Tabasco we drove, crossing the Usumacinita river and then to Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo. We toured just about everything that was possible and then we turned around and went home thru Villahermosa, Veracruz (for Xmas), Poza Rico, Tampico and back to the border. By the way gas was under a buck in the southern US and an extreme $1.65 in Mexico... if you could find "magna sin" where we were.
We thought we had seen it all, but while in the reading room at Chichen Itza I spotted this mustachioed man with eyebrows that belonged on a British stage actor. He had a somewhat defiant but friendly piercing grin and was busy paging through a book of sketches of Stephen's and Catherwood's travels in the area. That encounter with Hector was to be instrumental in setting a path that has lead our family to the involvement with the people, places, art and culture of Mexico and in particular the Yucatan. And as a completely unexpected bonus we had the fortune to also meet Jeanne P. Hunt, or JP, and to know her as a unique, talented and tender person.
I was obviously staring at him and then suddenly two dark orbs peered over his "cheaters" and said "hola." I replied, and then he said something in Spanish to which I just said...uuuuhhh. Our chat started out as one might expect, in English, and soon it became evident to me I was about to meet a person that had vast knowledge of the subjects I was most interested in and this was a great opportunity for me. He told me that he had a small shop in Izamal and to stop by anytime. Well anytime ended up being that next evening.
We had been planning on driving back to the states after our visit to Piste and Chichen Itza so we thought we would just "pop in" and visit Izamal. It was late and we ended up parking our car at the square and hired a "calesa" to bring us to the quinta. Arriving by 'horse and buggy' just seemed like the right thing to do, even though we had no idea what to expect. Little did we know, and after inviting us in at such a late hour, that we were about to become a part of his birthday party along with his mother Frances and JP.
We were treated so graciously that we felt a little humbled being there. A wonderful meal was prepared and we shared as if family. Later the "talk of the day" was accomplished, the ice cream was eaten, the fire was built, the VCR tape was enjoyed and we sat and talked till late in the evening. We did a visit to his shop and left the next day for our trip home, but this crazy idea was stuck in my head. I wanted to know the things Hector knew and I wanted to do what he was doing.
Hector loved to talk his politics, express his view and challenge you to respond. His stories that he told to the people I brought to his home and shop always held the attention of everyone. I loved the Dead, Joe King, Wavey Gravey and Dennis Hopper tales. But his insight into the culture of MX and the value of the cultural heritage was what I was most intrigued with. Hector made you a believer and you wished , at times, you had a good one to come back with. His pride in his craft and his genuine desire to be known as a gentleman was always on display. He wasn't the man that all would love but he was a man that was widely loved.
I owe a measure of gratitude to him. He encouraged my desire to learn more and challenged me in other ways on how to grow beyond what you have already "become." Our relationship, both personal and business continued for years and then settled into the memories of the "good times." I consider him a part of my life story and have shared my thoughts of him with many. When you do meet as many people as myself, some stand in a different light and Hector was that for me. He will be missed by many in many ways.
The Vernstrom family join along with his many friends, sending out our love to his family during this most difficult time.
1 comment:
My deepest sympathies for all of you at the passing of a great person that was especially dear to you.If he was instrumental in making you who you are today then indeed he was a great man.
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