Making New Friends-More Mexico

Yes I promised another story from my trip to Mexico so here are two stories.

One day I was walking about the neighborhood and strayed a bit far.  I came upon this business:

The sign was there but no-one was around that day (the picture was taken another day.)  I happened to know that Peluqueria means Barber Shop.  I have this interesting quirk that I like to get a haircut on a trip. The first time I did this was on my one first trip to Mexico in the late seventies.  So, I walked into the shop. What??? It is open but no-one is around! So I walked out and looked around.  A boy of about 10-12 came running up and asked something that I guessed was "Are you looking for the barber?"  So I said yes.  He ran back the way he came and returned with another boy that looked about 15-16 chasing him.  In my mind I said, "Oh the older brother speaks English."  Nope! No English.  He was the barber. Ha ha!  I pointed to one of the pictures on the wall. And tried to say "Like this but longer on top"  He looked confused and said "Just a minute" (in Spanish of course)
I waited and he ran into the house beside the shop.  He came back with his grandfather who DID speak English.  So I told him what I wanted and he translated.  Alex, the barber started cutting my hair and Grandfather (abuelo in Spanish) stayed and talked to me the entire time.  I found out that Alex is 20 and has been cutting hair since he was (gasp!) ten years old.  And Grandfather's name is Frank (Francisco.)
After the cut and as I was paying, I saw a musical instrument, a recorder, laying on a counter.  I asked if Alex played it.  Yes he does. So I pulled my penny whistle out of my backpack and played a few notes. Alex grinned widely. Ha ha....music makes a connection regardless of language.
Here is  a picture of Alex taken the same day as the above picture.

Alex - Alejandro

Another day, I decided to go to the main square in town which is a nice park with lots of benches.  I found an area where I didn't think I would be bothering anyone and sat down. I pulled out my pennywhistle and started playing.  There were two attractive young ladies taking pictures of each other.  Then I noticed them coming my way. They both pulled out iPhones and started taking pictures of me.  I smiled and finished my tune.  One of them spoke English and asked if they could take pictures of them with me.  I said "Yes, but you have to take some with my camera too" She smiled a happy smile and said Certainly.  After the pictures she introduced herself as Mariela and her friend Dasy (like Daisy but without an "i" and pronounced Dah-see ---that is an "ahhh" sound; not a long "a" )
She also asked about the penny whistle.  I explained it to her.  She said "I love everything about Ireland, but I have never been there"  I said "I haven't either."
Here are pictures of me with the two adorable young ladies.

Dasy

Mariela

Once again music helped me make new friends.  These two were from another state in Mexico and were sightseeing.  Who knew that I was one of the sights to see in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico ?