The human side that overshadows misfortune
Because, of course, what better way to combat the smell of gas and desperation than with the aroma of a good stew and pot coffee? While the authorities were probably still deciding the color of the protocol to follow, neighbors, students, nurses and even police officers of Mexico City decided that the humanitarian aid manual is written with actions, not with meetings. Since Thursday morning, the Magdalena de las Salinas hospital became the epicenter of an unusual and wonderfully chaotic wave of solidarity directed at the relatives of the victims of the gas pipe explosion in Iztapalapa, an event that, unfortunately, took eight lives and left 94 injured. Because nothing says “I’m here for you” like a cake delivered from the heart.
The compassion caravan did not have office hours. One, two, three and up to ten trucks paraded with all the slowness in the world, loaded to the brim with food, water and an assortment of supplies that would make any official pantry pale. Who needs complex logistics when you have the instinct to help others? The menu of the day, courtesy of citizens in a state of grace, included everything from cakes and sandwiches to stews, rice, cookies, sweet bread and fresh waters. All gourmet, of course, and served with the best of smiles.
The anonymous heroes of the tupperware and the casserole
There was Christian, for example, a IMSS laundry worker who, in a fit of lucidity, decided that his salary was better invested in cakes and bottled water for strangers than in anything else. He arrived before noon, because genuine acts of kindness do not understand meal times. Then Dasy appeared, who, with the philosophy of someone who has seen a lot, declared: “They are not our family, but the truth is that it feels very ugly, it was very sad.” And to cure that sadness, there is nothing better than fresh water and stews, the quintessential Mexican solution to any catastrophe.
Mrs. Dasy, originally from Coapa, has been bringing food to hospitals for eight years as she sends to San Judas Tadeo. But this year, the patron saint of difficult causes understood that there was a more urgent emergency and apparently whispered in their ears to “get ahead.” That’s right, even miracles have to be agile in these times. Meanwhile, Norma Angélica Ríos, a veteran in feeding the masses with her Nari community kitchens in Ixtapaluca, arrived with her army of pots and jugs. They served pot coffee, egg in green sauce, rice, beans and hibiscus water in industrial quantities. “We must always unite above all and here we are,” she said, moved to tears. And one wonders: were the tears from emotion or because the green sauce was too spicy? We will never know.
But the thing didn’t stop there. A group of nursing students from FES Zaragoza appeared with two vans full of food and basic necessities. Because what better practice for your future than distributing hope in the form of groceries? And, like in every good Mexican movie, you couldn’t miss the stew tacos served from the trunk of a car, with a piece of cardboard stuck to the window that read: “they are not alone“. A truth like a temple, especially with a cue in your hand.
To finish off the function, and as if to demonstrate that everyone wanted to join the bandwagon of solidarity (pun intended), after 6:00 in the afternoon patrols from the capital’s Security Secretariat made their triumphant entry. They arrived with bottled water, powdered milk and other supplies. I wonder: will they go with a siren to announce that they are carrying milk? Will they have a protocol for delivering cookie packages? The world may not know the answers, but what is clear is that in the midst of tragedy, Mexican citizens give a masterclass on how things are done: with empathy, disorder and lots and lots of food.
Isn’t it amazing how a tragedy can bring out the best in us? This massive, spontaneous show of support is a powerful reminder that community is our most valuable asset. Share this story of solidarity on your social networks to inspire others and explore more content about how Mexicans come together in difficult times.
