The Miracle of "Tio Domingo" meaning "Uncle Sunday" just may be one Mexican story you need to know. Salvador, owner operator, of Tio Domingo restaurant has his past and future wrapped in one event four years ago Christmas.
" Amigos welcome to Tio Domingo," Salvador said in near perfect English, as he held his arms wide, and motioned for us to take any table, as we were the lone set of customers at this the normal siesta hour of 2 O'clock. At first meeting, Salvador commanded a personality of a man possessed with inner peace and tranquility seldom encountered. His self-confidence rolled on the floor in front of him and put all in its path at ease.
Janet and I surveyed the Mexican café and ordered cervezas as we eyed the menu. "Something is coming down. I could feel something wonderful coming and it wasn't food," I thought. "I'm here at this time for a reason not yet known. My wife invited me to a late lunch today, does she know something I do not."
Salvador took our order and Janet selected a Mexican dish consisting of chile relleno, tamale, and salad while I ordered the pork chop Hawaiian style.
While the food was being prepared, we chatted with Salvador about land prices, as we are new to the area, and may want to buy a home in Ajijic. He explained as we already knew, prices of land and houses had gone up 10 fold in the last 20 years.
The crust of this meal was served just before the food arrived. Salvador allowed, as we asked, how he came to own this café. How he had purchased the land on a Mexican high interest loan of three thousand pesos, and spent four years after his day job building the surrounding establishment. I observed the substantial walls, high ceilings, with room for twelve tables and a large kitchen off to the side. Six more tables, in the garden, met us before we entered the café.
Salvador explained the end of the first two years of business found them without money to operate the business any longer. Two bottles of whisky, three dressed chickens, some flour and corn tortillas, beef and pork stock for soup was all they had left. Of course, plenty of salad fixins were available in the garden. Salvador and his wife knew the end of Tio Domingo was near and it was two days before Christmas.
Salvador said he asked his wife, "What should we do now?" Her answer was swift, " the food we have left will do us no good so we must invite all the village for a free meal and celebrate Christmas."
Salvador told the story of going all over the Ajijic inviting all to come celebrate with them on Noche buena Navidad (Christmas Eve). His wife and the children prepared all the food and made a lemon-lime punch of which half was spiked with the whisky.
On the Eve of Christmas the tables were set and the plates polished. The smell of carefully made soups and Mexican dishes filled the air. Salvador and his wife hoped all would come and share their last day at Tio Domingo. It was not a sad day, but happy in celebrating the old good times and Navidad, before they closed and found other employment.
Salvador wondered if anyone would come, but just before the appointed hour the local mariachi band showed up explaining they wanted to play for their food. Salvador rejoiced to his wife, "at least there will be music to kiss Tio Domingo goodbye." The music began as the candles were lit. Slowly the tables filled and to Salvador's surprise, to overflowing. Salvador's family served their many guest as all told stories of pleasant times at Tio Domingo. Every tortilla, cup of soup, and whisky-flavored lemonade was served and downed by hungry guest. The music was loud and lasted until the musicians were exhausted.
As the villagers headed home Salvador said all wished him and his family well and headed into the darkness singing songs of Navidad.
Salvador explained, "on that night the family cleaned the café, washed every dish, and closed the business as they had every day for the preceding two years". Salvador said, "He went to the front gate to lock up knowing it would be the last time as proprietor of Tio Domingo". Something was amiss, as a bucket held each of the two gates open. Salvador lifted one of the buckets to the moonlight and found it was filled with pesos.
Our meal arrived and tasted somewhat like turkey and dressing and blessings unexpected.
Salvador later told us that since that day the business has grown and commanded a clientele ranging from the very poor to the wealthy. Every year they will celebrate Christmas with the same meal and invite all to share their wealth.
No wonder Salvador has the gift of giving and receiving written on his soul for all to see. Come see Salvador at Tio Domingo.
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