I arrived early to a lunch with Ricardo Carreon, general manager of Intel Latinamerica, who currently lives in Sao Paolo, Brasil. We were joined by Rodrigo Sandoval, another friend and high level executive also from Intel, who works out of Miami. But you probably don’t know we are all Mexicans. So, thinking about the level of anxiety caused by lack of Mexican food these guys were experiencing, I had previously chosen a very chic Mexican restaurant.

The place had just moved from the previous location to a very nice second floor on top of one of my favorite shops: Louis Vuitton. So, I was in the right place with the right company having some deliciuous Chamoy Margaritas. Suddenly… there they come! The Presidential couple. To be very precise: Felipe Calderon, President of Mexico, and Margarita Zavala, his wife.

They sat just opposite our table on the left. On our right hand side there was a big group of “guaruras” (wise men) occupying another table. I was amazed to see how naturally they were having lunch, just as a regular couple do. If you are not a Latinamerican you may wonder why this is odd. Well, until year 2000, Mexican politicians were not “normal” people serving their country. They were gods.

O.k. But let me go back to our lunch. I told my Intel friends I was going after Felipe’s (now I am talking to a regular and normal politician) autograph. Nobody had approached them so far. Everybody in the restaurant were aware of their presence, but they were pretending, with an “we are as important as them” attitude or “oh, there is Felipe, again….I will talk to him later”, well, whatever…but pretending.

So I didn’t bother the wise men and got up the table interrupting the Presidential couple lunch. Ricardo Carreon said he would follow me if I did that; and he did. I had a copy of InformationWeek Mexico “50 most innovative Mexican companies” with me, besides a pen and a piece of paper the waiter gave me.

Felipe was quick to stand up as he saw me approaching him, and he even interrupted a telephone conversation he was having. He offered me not just his hand but kissed me on the cheek, as old friends do with their female friends (not males, of course, their not Italians, and their not gays either. Or that’s what Mexicans think about kissing between men). Margarita and I also kissed.

I introduced myself to Felipe and gave him the magazine and my business card. In reciprocity, I asked for his autograph, which he was quick to write. (See the picture).

We got back to the table, and….Boom! I didn’t realized I broke the protocol. All those hypocrites sitting around in the restaurant began passing by the President ’s table, some saying just hello and some interrumping with personal boring stories (well, I guess).

I didn’ t have my digital camara with me and was sooooo mad. But Ricardo, who is a terrific photo enthusiast had just received one from Rodrigo (his official “chivero”). After having some trouble finding a memory card, he was ready to take a picture.

So here we go again!!! “Sorry to interrumpt one more time but I really need a picture with you”. In a very polite way he made room for me besides he and his wife, and Ricardo took place next to her (as you can see in the picture). Rodrigo, who is not an enthusiast photographer, did a pretty nice job taking the picture.

That’s the story I wanted to tell. Rodrigo, Ricardo and me spent the rest of our lunch talking about Intel, life after divorce, children and blogs.

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Mónicami | Jul.27.2007 | My digital life | 3 Comments »