Simple kindness of an organillera

Sitting in a low-lit lofted espresso cafe in Mexico City, I was finding some pacing in toying with something on Ableton.

Recently I’ve been in a very specific place of not-in-the-new-chapter, but also not out of the last entirely—although very close; in transition.

I decided to up and leave it all behind to come to Mexico— at least for the time being— as I know that this place isn’t permanent for me, especially since immigration only stamped me 30 days.

I was finding myself hyper-focused on the random drum kit beat I was making, only to be caught very off-guard with the churning of a seemingly off key music-box melody, playing quite loudly—loud enough to get through my noise cancelling headphones.

I’ve been here in CDMX for a few days now, and I’ve heard the music boxes at least 2 other times walking around. But in earnest, I had thought the sound of these organillos a bit grating to the ear.

But for whatever reason—maybe simply because of the silliness of it—coupled with the fact that they stopped right outside the cafe and were churning the instrument quite loudly to everyone in the space, I turned and watched.

It’s nothing of spectacle per say, the lady was beginning her second tune after adjusting the instrument for a new piece, but I couldn’t help but to smile in that moment. I felt amused, and intrigued in the idea of it all—walking spot to spot and playing this instrument, to then ask for money from bystanders.

Something in me started to realize the importance of this person, and of every street performer in the city. Which led me to thinking about the individual, every single person so far in CDMX I’ve encountered, and the beautiful piece they have added to the tapestry of people I’ve ever seen or known.

This lady IS the city, a piece of it, a living embodiment of tradition, adding to the energy and life of every moment, with the simple winding of this ornately decorated box.

At this point I was still trying to focus on what I was working on, as I’ve got a bad habit of jumping from thing to thing, but after several turnings back and forth, I eventually just turned completely and watched her finish her piece. I couldn’t help but continue to smile, I was captivated and warmed by it.

The woman certainly noticed.

As she made her rounds to collect pesos, she eventually walked to the lofted upstairs seating where only I sat. In her traditional beige military-style outfit, she walked up the spiral stairs and smiled big and bright to me. I could feel a deeper sense of love and joy within her from that alone.

She initially spoke to me in Spanish, to which I immediately replied “Poco hablo espanol”—my most common day-to-day phrase.

”In English then?” she said.

Of course this caught me really off guard, and I became a little bit embarrassed, since I could assume her first ask in Spanish was for a donation, and my immediate answer was basically “I can’t speak your language”.

I explained to her that I likely had no money, but that I would check while she was here in my wallet.

I quickly sifted through my clutch—more of a longer coin purse with space for cards and cash— expecting to find nothing since I hadn’t recently converted money at an ATM in the past few days. But almost like it was meant to be there, just for her, I found $5 pesos hiding in between two of my cards and gladly handed it to her with a proud grin.

She seemed satisfied enough, especially since she could see that really was my singular coin left.

”Thank you” she said.

She began to leave me but turned back after a moment and said

”You are very beautiful, you know” with one of the sweetest smiles I have ever seen.

I honestly was so surprised by her words that all I ended up doing was smiling and nodding as she descended down the stairs.

With such a simple gesture she reminded me that love really is everywhere, all around, all the time, in every nook and every cranny. And how simple it was to conjure it so effortlessly between another stranger.

It made me tear up really, even now typing this out too.

And the timing of it all is too perfect, in my choice to come to Mexico this month→specifically CDMX→ this cafe becoming a regular spot for me, that I initially almost waved off→ to almost not even arriving that evening because I was feeling a bit tired.

Life is so full and wonderful and filled with spectacle.

I am grateful to you organillera—thank you for reminding me once more.