Punctual: To Be or Not To Be

I HAVE DONE IT!!!! I have uncovered Mexico's deepest, darkest secret! I know the answer to the systemic endemic that plagues this entire nation!!!
It all started when we were going to meet Norma (who had previously canceled on us (no problem happens all the time)) at 1 o'clock at the church building. We do our morning jig, and get to the stop in time to stop the bus, on the bus, cruising at the speed of the mariachi's maracas, arriving just before the singer began his 17th attempt to croon his ex-lover back into his arms. We get to the church: no one. Not uncommon. We wait. I walk down, next door ask the time, the lady ignores me, I tap her on the should (I used my bus hailing finger, it works the best), and demand in my most polite spanish accent (somewhere between Antonio Banderas and a lovable Jim Carrey (sorry: big teeth, brown hair, kind of gangly)) for her to tell me what time it is. She says it is 12:15. She was right, I saw her watch, that's what it said. It was so wrong. I walked away passing a gentleman with a watch. I asked him if he had the time. He said he did. 1:30. Thank you. Another field test revealed that it was 1:20 and so on and so forth. Everyone here arrives on time, being as punctual as their northern counterparts; the problem lies in the fact that each has his own time!! Eureka!!!
I got tired of waiting. I called Norma. She wasn't coming. I had neglected to call and confirm (like I said I would (totally my fault)) so she wasn't coming and we should try again on Monday. Okay, very good, we'll do that. So we called Flor to let her know the Bible study could begin whenever they were ready. We went home.
Flor came and picked us up. We had a great study. It was short. We finished talking about submission in regards to the government from Romans (they study Romans so much here). I mentioned Daniel and his dilemmas, and was astonished to hear that none present had heard of Daniel nor were even remotely aware of his story. So we cracked the Old, which I love doing (thanks Dr. Fortner), and began reading, chapter 1, chapter 2, 3 and 4. I added some commentary and background for the story to bring to focus some of the teachings and lessons that could be had. It was a wonderful and fulfilling time of study and inspiration.
Afterward, I showed Jose Luis (who is a photographer by trade) one of my own personal techniques involving change of shutter speed and manual zoom adjustment. We shared bread and coffee and chatted for a good while.
Our chariot sped us home. We arrived and departed, minds leaving the body to explore the world of what could be, perhaps should be and those that never will.