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What
I Learned from Working the California Fairs?
The
wonderful diversity of Life and people.
The
Pig-Pen-Maze
The
opportunity of working the Fairs in California introduced me to
California geographically and culturally. The
lives of the people who participated in some aspect of the Fair,
were as varied as life itself. I was always
curious and attempted to know more by questioning people, and
projecting what their home lives might be, and what it would be like
in the future. Mom said she always admired how even as a three year
old, I could talk to adults at bus stops and engage them in
conservation.
The
lives of the farm boys who were competing with their prized pig or
calf, were so different. They took extra care to keep
their animals, clean, exercised, well-feed, calm and rested.
Many of the youth would sleep in the pen with their pig,
and buy a hot tamale for breakfast, which is how I usually met them.
They were all 4-H competitors, my age, eager to share
stories with me about their entry.
I frequently enjoyed taking my booth breaks by visiting the pavilion where the pigs were kept. I especially enjoyed the antics of the little piglets. It was always interesting talking to the young men. We would talk about home, our high school and our plans for the future. Most of them said they would go to college, but planned to continue their family’s business, which meant be involved with running some kind a farm. It was clear that they were comfortable with their future, calm and at peace. I was happy for them. My future was so uncertain. One time I was visiting the pig pavilion when the pigs were being moved from one pen to another. Suddenly, I found myself, caught in the pathways between the pens, surrounded by pigs, front and back. Walking right next to me was a huge pig. His back was higher than my waist. The pig had strong prickly hair, which stood straight-up and rubbed against my legs, as he was attempting to pass me. I didn’t know if I was in danger or not, but I was really scared. I didn't know if I should climb onto one of the pens. I looked around for someone to save me, and realized many of the youth were watching me, obviously amused. Finally I was rescued by one of the youth. He lead me out of the pig-pen-maze. As I exited the enclosure, the boys looked away, and were suddenly very busy doing something. Hum m m . . . the youth who opened the gate to the pig enclosure, did locked it behind me. Was it an intentional incident . . . the story of a big city L.A. girl walking with the pigs?
The
Lion Trainer
One
special day, my lion trainer friend, said he was rehearsing a
new routine and would I come to watch. I felt very
special, because under the circus big top, I was an audience of one.
Pole
Climber
The
Fairs were filled with special men and women showing off their
special skills
One performer was a pole climber and balance artist. He would climb up a pole, probably 40 feet, made of a very flexible material. The pole had a small cross bar at the top. The pole climber would climb up the pole and position himself at the top. Holding on to the cross bar, he would do a hand-stand and then while in a hand-stand, he would sway back and forth. The crowd always "oooded and aaaded" . I was amazed with his strength and control over every muscle in his body. From his pinky to his little toe, all were needed to work against the pull of gravity against his swaying body. I did go on a date with him, once. He was a perfect gentleman, but his powerful body was a bit intimidating.
Navy
Seal
The
most fun male friend which I met through the Fairs was a U.S. Navy
Seal. We met at the Stockton Fair. He was a member in
the first group of Navy Seals. Their exhibit, was in a building
directly opposite our booth. When the doors were opened,
we looked directly on their display, and they on
us. I had obtained a Life Guard certificate in high
school and at UCLA, had joined the Swim Club and performed a with
the Synchronized water ballet swim team. I felt fairly
confident in water.
My Seal friend and I went to Lodi Lake outside of Stockton. He got teased a little because I could walk on my hands, as well as him. When we both returned to Los Angeles, we went to the beach, I was uncomfortable with the huge waves in Malibu. As the summer ended, my Seal friend gave me all is contact information at the Navy base and said to contact him . . . when I was no longer a virgin. We never saw each other, after that.
Ranch
Daughter
Another
disappointment was a girl. She was the daughter of a
successful rancher family. Her family exhibited their animals
in all the California fairs, frequently taking ribbons.
It was fun seeing her, it was like seeing an old neighbors.
Most of the times, we just talked about daily happenings. I had not talked about being at UCLA. She was two years younger than me, plus a farm girl. I didn't think she could relate to it. The last time we talked, she came running up to me, so excited to share with me that she had been accepted at the University of California, Davis. I was really excited for her. I told her I had just completed my freshman year at UCLA and wouldn't it be fun to write to each other. Her reaction completely surprised me. She did not say a word, just looked at me. I smiled, but anger and doubt were all over her face. She obviously did not believe me. She just walked away. She did not come by the booth anymore and avoided me completely after that.
Her
reaction baffled me. Reflecting on it, I realized being a
friend with a Mexican girl who worked selling tacos was acceptable.
Undoubtedly her folks had many Mexicans who worked for them on their
ranch, but being a Mexican girl that went
to a university was just not possible. Her immediate reaction must have been to think I was so jealous of her, and instead of being happy for her, I made up a story about being a college student. She was angry, hurt, and disappointed. I was on the other hand, completely perplexed, hurt and disappointed.
Another
Freshman
When
I started at UCLA as a Freshman in 1951, 70 years ago, there were
very, very few Latinos in the University of California system.
They were not even collecting data. However, my first year, I
went on a scholastic scholarship and worked as a cook for a couple
whose home was a few blocks from the UCLA campus.
With light brown hair and hazel eyes, I did not stand out; however, being of "Mexican" heritage was enough for many people. The family next door, had a daughter starting her freshman year. She invited me to her house. I was excited to meet her, my first friend. I figured we could walk to school together and have lunch together. I only went to her house once. Her mother told me to leave, and directed me to leave through a back door. The girl never spoke to me after that. It was sad. However, with a letter of introduction from a great-great uncle in Mexico, I joined the Masonic Club on campus. I made friends and had a center which was always very welcoming. Recreation and Public Administration majors By my Junior year I was taking core classes with other Recreation and Public Administration majors, and made good friendships which lasted into being room mates, participating in our marriages. Most of the Recreation majors, were "people-people", helpful and accepting. It was reassuring to hear their comments.
Working
the fairs and going to UCLA, were maturing experiences, rich
in understanding the social complexity of a global community.
We are all sons and daughters of a Heavenly Father, and as such, we
are all related; but, oh my goodness, we are SO DIFFERENT, as a
group and individually
Let us enjoy and explore those differences, promoting unity and peace. "Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew: 5-9 04/28/2022 02:16 PM |