I arrive at the hotel at eight the following morning. When I ask for them at the front desk the manager comes out and asks me about the guests. He wants them to leave as there was a disturbance in the courtyard patio just a couple of hours ago. They are back in their room. I ask Juan and Ilhuitl what happened. They are sitting each on their own bed, not looking at or speaking to each other. Juan is the first to speak. Apparently Ilhuitl stole a cutting knife from the restaurant kitchen and tried to sacrifice a pigeon to the god of war, on the patio just as the morning sun first touched the flagstones. He himself intervened, wresting the knife from Ilhuitl and freeing the pigeon. There was angry shouting between them and he made derogatory marks about the gods of the Mexica. He makes a derisory comment about his companion's devotion to false gods and demons. Ilhuitl is an enclosed silence and I cannot get a single word out of him.
I have explained to the hotel manager that my friends both have mental disturbances and lie further to say I have just supplied them with medication, being their attendant. I barely persuade him to let them stay on at the hotel. At breakfast, in the same patio, I explain to Ilhuitl that sacrifice, human and otherwise is not performed and that especially human sacrifice is not only frowned upon but illegal and he could wind up spending the rest of his life in prison for killing another person, even if he is to feed the gods. Ilhuitl sullenly replies that this is a complete absurdity, and how can we possibly expect the gods to keep the cosmic order from total collapse without human sacrifice. He is incredulous when I explain to him that this has never been done here, yet the sun keeps shining, the rain keeps falling and the earth goes on turning. Juan proffers a couple of sneering comments about Ilhuitl's devotion to devils to which he responds with a threat to chop off his head. The conversation is becoming heated, other patrons are beginning to notice and I just manage to calm them both down.
I am glad that they were persuaded to give up their weapons before leaving Mexico. Juan has never before gone anywhere without his sword. Ilhuitl has never been without his obsidian dagger. Neither, being young men of honour, can comprehend that they will not need to defend themselves here, nor that if they are insulted they are expected to take it and move on. It is difficult to penetrate such ignorant and innocent indignation as theirs.
They are absolutely flabbergasted by the breakfast. Ilhuitl has never had eggs, fried or otherwise and only with dread caution does he first taste, then nibble then eat with very slow and cautious mouthfuls. Juan is used to eggs and quickly inhales his three, along with the bacon, both foods familiar to him from medieval Spain. He is not quite sure about the potatoes though Ilhuitl takes to them readily. Both enjoy their toast with peanut butter and jam which they liken to the food of royalty. Ilhuitl enjoys his hot chocolate, though the milk is strange to him. He is reminded of the privilege of his caste back at home where priests and nobles alone were allowed to partake of cacao. Juan eyes his coffee with suspicion but is immediately sold on the fragrant hot bitter drink. On my recommendation he adds cream and sugar and his face changes as though suddenly he has seen heaven. Ilhuitl doesn't want to feel left out. I order him a cup of Joe which he savours, bitter and black, a smile slowly emerging on his face as he slowly drains the cup.
They do not know what to do about electricity. The miracle of light switches has them both flummoxed and completely frightened. This is a magic they do not want to touch, so fearful is Ilhuitl of inciting the wrath of the gods, and Juan of participating in black magic. No matter how clearly I try to explain, they simply cannot comprehend, so they opt to sit in the dark in their hotel room, unless I come in to flip the light switch. They have taken well to toilet paper and have already both commented that they really cannot comprehend how they could have lived without it.
I am completely overwhelmed by this mirror they are presenting me of what a world and era of wonders I have been blessed to be born in and live out my life.
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