A Diplomat's Family through a Milk Vendor's Eyes
by Rudy A. Arizala
17 December 2015
To most people a diplomat’s life and that of his family is something special, living extraordinary lives, enjoying abroad privileges, rubbing elbows with the high and the mighty beyond the reach of ordinary mortals or common people.
The other day, my youngest child and only daughter, Ale (Ma. Alejandra), had the greatest shock in her life while window shopping for Christmas.
Hereunder is her incredible but interesting story.
You won¨t believe what happend to me in the afternoon of 14 December 2015. My eight year old daughter Mayra and I went to Santiago's Ripley Store at Mall Costanera Center to do some shopping. Mayra felt thirsty so we went to a nearby "barquito" (kiosko) to buy a bottle of juice. When I was paying, the man who attended to us said: "I know you". I replied:"Really?, from where? And the man said:"from Coronel street". I was shocked in surprise because we were residing at Coronel street in the 80´s. In fact, we left that place when my father ended his diplomatic mission in Chile in 1989. That was some 30 years ago!!!!!. I was then in Grade School and then high school at Santiago College. So I asked him: " May I know why do you know me?". He replied: "I used to bring milk to your house. In fact I visited your kitchen more often than my own. You were then the little girl who love to sing and play the guitar.” I was even more shocked when he asked: "and how is your brother the ‘Rockero’?" (who else, but my younger brother Cachu!). And your elder brother? he had quite a strong character". He continued..."and how is Amel?" (He was referring to our maid from the Philippines). I almost fainted. Then he said: "I used to see two years ago your mother on her moto going to Mall Costanera Center"... and finally he asked : "and your papa, the Ambassador? How is he? I remember him walking in going to the Office early in the morning instead of riding in a car. When I asked him why he does not ride in a car, he replied:" Walking is a good exercise.”
Before leaving I shook hands with him and asked: " what´s your name"? "Juan Carlos”, he replied. On my way back home with Mayra, the man’s image came back clear to me. I remember he was the young man in his twenties with the "carrito" (wooden cart) of Soprole milk and wearing light blue “cotona” (apron) who used to pass by delivering Soprole milk when we were residing at a French style Bungalow at calle Coronel, Santiago many years ago .
It is so incredible that he still remember all of us despite the passing of years. I wonder how many people these days pass by his kiosko everyday. It is may first time to pass by his kiosko to buy a bottle of juice and he still recognized me.
Well... it was a nice unexpected experience and incredible story. From now on everytime I go to Mall Costanera Center...I will pass by Juan Carlos‘ kiosko of Soprole milk and assorted candies and biscuits and buy at least a piece of candy. Juan Carlos is now in his fifthies still selling Soprole milk and other goodies but no longer pushing his wooden cart. He has already a kiosko or stand near a high-rise modern edifice called Mall Constanera Center in Santiago. Ma. Alejandra Arizala Valenzuela.
Postscript
Ma. Alejandra is now a TV Program Producer married, (to a Chileno), and has an 8 yr. old daughter; Octavio or Cachu (the younger brother) is now also married and works as a Computer-Film Editor at a Computer Company in Los Angeles, CA; Rodo (the eldest brother) now works with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Metro Manila. raa.