I scream, you scream, we all scream for helado!

One of the best things about living in town back with the locals is the number of street venders that come by. They ride these tricycles (adult size, of course) and sell anything and everything. Each vender has their own unique sound. Some beep a little horn, some holler out the name of what they are selling, and some ring a bell. Well boy howdy it didn't take me long to learn the helado (ice cream) guys sound. I hear him coming a couple blocks away and I come running out to get my treat. He knows my name now (guera, of course) and I get my double coconut and mame (ma may)in a waffle cone. The mame is a red fruit that grows here. I pay him .50 cents and indulge myself.
There are also trucks that come by with the bigs jugs of bottled drinking water and also the guys that sell the canisters of gas for our stoves. The gas trucks play a very loud song over loud speakers so you hear them coming several blocks away. At first I found the song annoying, but now that I am used to it, it is kind of nice. Really, you can be pretty lazy here. Just stay at home and sooner or later someone will come by with something you may need. One afternoon somebody was selling pots and pans. Another day, a guy had a truck full of nice furniture. 350.00 for a leather sofa, love seat, chair and coffee table. It seemed a little to good to be true so I passed. I would not have wanted to get them only to find out they were stuffed with old baby diapers or something!
There is also this cute little old man that walks by a couple times a day with a shopping cart. He has a bad limp and he always looks so hot. He cleans up trash and does yard work for people. I told Martin that I felt so sorry for him and wanted to just give him a little money. Martin explained that I would insult him if I were to do that. He said "he is a man and has chosen to work and not beg for handouts. You must respect him.". Ok. Point taken...but one of these days I just might have to accidentally/on purpose throw some trash out and pay him to help me. I am sure he doesn't know English, so our communication could be interesting. I admire his work ethic and I just want to help him so bad.