Having dinner with my neighbors in Canoga Park, California in 1989


When I made the decision to move back to Phoenix in 1989, it happened very quickly. I had been visiting a friend, and decided to go look around at apartments in the greater Phoenix area. What I found astonished me, and I had signed a lease even before I had told my landlord in Canoga Park (a suburb of Los Angeles) that they would be losing me. I knew that I would lose my deposit, but I didn't care, I wanted out. I borrowed a van from a friend in Phoenix and went to go get my stuff, what there was of it, in a tiny studio apartment. I had a couch and some tables, but mostly I just had some clothes.

Anyway, when I got ready to fill up the van I decided that I would hire some help. I knew that there were some young men, about my age, living in the apartment just across from mine, so I took out a twenty dollar bill, knocked on the door, and asked if someone could help me. At first I tried to communicate in Spanish, but that wasn't their language (I never really found out what it was), but we managed to communicate. I handed over the twenty, pointed to the van, made some motions, and they understood.

My intention, of course, was to hire just one of them, but by the time it was all over they were all helping. There were seven living in that apartment. Yes, seven full-grown men in an apartment that was less than 600 square feet. They had no furniture, and apparently they just slept on the floor. I found some clothes that I decided would fit one of them (including some Hawaiian shirts and some fairly decent sneakers), and I started giving them stuff. The van was packed in no time. Many hands make light work!

It was over quickly, and I expressed my appreciation as best I could, and then realized that I was being invited over to dinner. We sat on the floor, and they served a dish that seemed to be composed mainly of rice. The chicken I noticed was kinda sad, but I ate it with respect. I was a guest of honor.

And then I realized that I was the only one who had been served any meat at all - the rest of them just ate rice. I'll never forget that.

Thank you for visiting Canoga Park with me!

Image at the top of this post: Saticoy and Mason, Google Street View. It hasn't changed a bit.
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