Our Nice Neighbors

The Gonzales Family were our upstairs/backdoor neighbors the entire time we were in Port Hueneme.  They were great neighbors - very friendly and kind.  The boys, Brandon and Jordy, loved to help us carry things into our apartment from the car (we shared a garage).  Such cute and polite boys!  When we first moved in, they teased us that Jordy's name was really Pedro.  They thought that was really funny.  So Randy called him Pedro from time to time, just to keep the fun going.

The girls were always sweet and friendly.  Not too long after we moved in, they chalk-painted our driveway with kind words and designs. They are blossoming into such pretty girls.

The parents (at least) were Jehovah's Witnesses.  They were quite involved with their church, especially Sylvia.  Sometimes they shared some home-cooked meals with us - which were delicious!  (the best carne asada ever!)  From time to time Sergio would work on one of their cars in the garage.  We'd come home from the office to find one of his cars backed into the garage with him underneath it, or a wheel completely off.  He was a pretty good mechanic, so kept all three of their older cars in running condition.  His English was very limited, so it was difficult to carry on a real meaningful conversation, unless Sylvia or one of the kids was on hand to translate.  I regret that we did not develop a closer bond sooner and have our Spanish elders over to teach them. 

Brandon, Alandra, Jordy, Fatima

 

Sylvia and Sergio Gonzales

The Fam

 

Here we all are - the night before we left

 

Sylvia's son, Salvador

 

Salvador seemed to be a troubled soul.  We wondered if he were on drugs.  We would see him sitting on the stairs or the bench outside their door - just sitting - sometimes with his face in his hands.  He didn't seem to interact much with the family, nor they with him.  He was always courteous and pleasant with us.