The taxi-driver taking me home tells me a bit about his life. He's from Tenejapa - an indigenous community about an hours drive from San Cristobal. When he was 15 he took a brave decision and came to San Cristobal to try and further his education. He studied hard to get a Degree in Accountancy - not bad for a lad from the villages he says. Whilst studying he had to work get some money - he worked as a taxi-driver and as a clown!
He's now struggling to get a salaried job, so has just started training to be a carpenter. He says the laws in Tenejapa about not felling trees are less well enforced so he can get cheap wood there, make furniture and bring it to San Cristobal to sell (probably from roadside as some others already do). He's sorry he's not got his clown business card with him as I get out - but I wish him well anyway. It's impressive to see such entrepreneurial spirit - not sure how I would have faired with the same set of circumstances.
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