"The Mexican people, after more than two centuries of experiments, have faith only in the Virgin of Guadalupe and the National Lottery.." Octavio Paz, Mexican Nobel Laureate in Literature
The week before last I was walking through one of the many exquisite plazas in Oaxaca, and passing a lottery ticket booth I noticed that they were selling tickets for what apparently was a special 25 million peso (1,800,000 dollar) drawing that was held yesterday on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the ticket (as shown on the poster above) being emblazoned with the image of her icon.
I was extremely amused, and immediately reminded of the quote above. I thought of buying one, and trying my luck, but didn't. Fifty pesos (three and a half bucks) ) is a bit too steep (that's the price of two beers or an ensalada mixta here) and while I was fascinated and sorely tempted to collect a ticket for a souvenir, the impulse struck me as mildly sacrilegious..
I am still far more sanctimonious and puritanical than Mexico, you see..
Being here I'm starting to lighten up.
I'm hereby resolved: Next year I'm going to play. Cross your fingers for me..
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