The Happy Lobster and the Unhappy Pig

Amidst the cab and bus rides around Puerto Vallarta, we did what we always do when we're tourists. We talked to locals. Between their English and our Spanish, we generally figured it out. Smiles and looking someone in the eyes—simple, common courtesies—make those experiences all the more joyful. Folks are always happy to share their thoughts. 

We'd ask how long they've lived there, about their work, and always about their families. We also sought the local opinion with one specific question. 

"When you go out to eat seafood, where do you go?"

Some would say in Spanish, "La Langosta Feliz." Others in English, "The Happy Lobster."

I'm thinking, "I wanna go there just because of the name." Yet it was the rapidity of their answers that convinced me. Without hesitation they'd name this restaurant. We saved the experience to our final night in Puerto Vallarta. Did you notice I used the word, "experience"? Read on for the tale of La Langosta Feliz y el Puerco Triste—the Happy Lobster and the Unhappy Pig.

Being a restaurant recommended by locals, we'd hoped it wasn't as touristy. More authentic. We'd heard that it was a short distance off the main road that encircles the bay. As we turned inland away from the bay we were leaving the tourist part of Puerto Vallarta behind. The surroundings looked more like a third world country than a tourist mecca. This is good. We'd like our kids to have a broader view of the world and a greater appreciation for our blessings.

From the main road leading off the bay a few kilometers, we turned into a neighborhood. The streets are narrow. No sidewalks. Walls and gates abound. Behind each set, a plastered home in some sort of disrepair loomed. Then we slowed atop a hill to look left and see a giant lobster. "La Langosta Feliz," I said pointing as our driver nodded and smiled.

Arriving at the restaurant we were greeted and seated on the shaded rooftop dining area. Service was quick and courteous. As we were waiting to order under the shade of the open air canopy, I began to hear something over the din of the crowd, "Meeeeeeeeeeee. Meeeeeeeeeeee. Meeeeeeeeeeee. Meeeee." My first thought was, "Who is flying a remote control plan around here? Is their a noisy drone about?!" Then, the pitch changed up and down and somewhere in between. I recognized the noise.

"Mary Elizabeth," I said catching her glance, "Come here and look over this wall with me." The twinkle in my eye had told her this must be something fun. She joined me with a question in her own eyes. Looking over the partial wall there he was in the "yard" below: A black pig. An unhappy pig. Of course, we called the boys over and marveled at the squealing pig below. "Meeeeeeeee. Meeee." Silly tourists, right? But what fun! Who eats at a rooftop restaurant with an unhappy pig right over the wall?! We do. Well, we did.

Throughout our meal the pig continued to squeal. (Say that five times real fast.) Then, silence. The kids would rush to look over the wall. First, he was being fed. No time to squeal when eating. A few minutes later silence again as he was being bathed—well, hosed off. Otherwise it was, "Meeeeeeeeee. Meeee. Meeeeeeee," throughout our entire meal.

We went to eat at The Happy Lobster and we enjoyed to entertainment of the unhappy pig. What's the point of the porcine tale? (See what I did there?)

Other than being funny, I wondered that too until yesterday when an animal loving friend shared a perspective I'd missed. The pig was only happy and quiet not when he had his food or a shower, but when he had his owner with him outside. He was lonely. The unhappy pig she conjectured was really a lonely pig.

And, just like humans in need of companionship, he acted out—incessant, unhappy "Meeeeeeeee" squealing in his case—until his need was satisfied.

Pigs and people—God created us for relationships. We were made to be social. I'm ever thankful for my family and friends. What amazing, grace gifts they are to me. Yet, the Bible says, "there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24b). Jesus. His name is Jesus.

Next time you find yourself squealing like the unhappy pig, remember the tale of La Langosta Feliz y el Puerco Triste. Remember, and call on Jesus.

And, thanks to Mary Elizabeth, let me share the real deal. Friends, may I introduce you to the unhappy pig...

Thank you as always for spending a few minutes with me, Friends. Please share this post and, if you haven't already, subscribe.

One more thing before you go, What should we name the unhappy pig? Let us know in the comments below. 

Pedro Does Not Work for the Bus Company

My family just returned from a surprising trip to Puerto Vallarta. Surprising both since we hadn't even imagined it until two months ago and in how much we thoroughly enjoyed it. We'd never been to the beach as a family before. I'll share more soon. Today, however, I want you to meet Pedro. He says he works for the bus company.

Buses in Puerto Vallarta are inexpensive. Fifty cents US gets you anywhere you want to go. They're slower than a taxi, hotter than a taxi, and maybe smellier than a taxi, but you can not beat the price. Plus, you get to meet more folks and chat along the way. Communication happens with smiles and courtesy as your best Spanish meets their best English with the folks on the bus. It's fun.

That warm afternoon we'd spent some time along the popular boardwalk and just returned to the nearest bus stop. Having ridden a bus to and from that very stop the night before, we knew we were in the right spot. Or so we thought.

Within a minute a serious looking Mexican gentleman walks up and says, "Where you going? Marina? One of the hotels?" His English has little accent.

"Yes, Marina."

Without a beat he proclaims, "You're in the wrong spot. Your stop is down this way," as he points down the road to the south.

"But we caught the bus right here last night. It was the right bus and dropped us right where we needed."

"My name is Pedro. I work for the bus company," he assures. "I help tourists like you. This is the wrong spot. They just stopped here last night because they could tell you weren't from around here. Follow me," as he begins walking rapidly down the road.

I shrug to my wife, Melanie, and hustle the kids to come along while repeating, "He works for the bus company," as my defense.

"How far is it, Pedro?"

"Just a few blocks. About four blocks. Just over this little hill."

At about the four block mark our bus is approaching. I see it written on the window. So does Melanie.

"There's our bus! Make them stop here. You work for them. They know you, right?"

Pedro, undaunted and speedy as ever, says "I can't make them stop here. Not with these curbs painted this way. Walk with me."

"We've gone more than four blocks. I see the next stop. It's another four or five blocks. That's eight or nine total, Pedro."

"Mexican blocks," he chuckles as he continues hustling along the narrow sidewalk toward the south.

At this point I know for sure that Pedro does not work for the bus company. I wanted to believe him. That's why I followed him. It's my nature to trust people. "Who would lie about such a thing? He's a hard-working guy out here doing his job," I'd thought at first. It's also my nature to see the best of people. There's a name for this occasional social psychosis I suffer, maybe you suffer from it too. It's called projection bias. 

Projection bias means you believe others think or feel or see life as you do. You unwittingly make assumptions. You unconsciously settle expectations. As such, you grant them—for better or worse—your own qualities. And, in that very granting, you give away your ability to discern truth from fiction and even good from evil.

With a bus arriving as we are approaching the second bus stop nine hustled blocks south, Pedro repeats quickly, "I work for tips; give me a tip. I work for tips; give me a tip."

I wanted to holler, "I'll give you a tip, Pedro: DON'T LIE TO PEOPLE!" Yet I thought better of it reckoning that my monetary tip would speak louder than any words. While stepping onto the bus, I hand Pedro two five Peso coins, the only small denomination I had.

He retorts, "That's less than a buck!" 

I turn my attention from the pitiful prevaricator on the curb to the bus driver, "That guy, Pedro, says he works for the company. Do you know that guy?" 

The driver doesn't say a word. He doesn't need to. His look of amusement tempered with resignation says it all.

Pedro does not work for the bus company.

“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”

— Proverbs 12:22

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