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Life on Olvera Street
Left to right: Humbert Tapia, Esther Sabastian, Rebecca Tapia,
Belle Valadez, Cruz Ledesma, Tony Sebastian,
Irma Tapia, Belen Tapia, & baby Rosita (Ginette Rondeau)
 I especially remember Louie, the glass blower, asking me to paint a sleeping Méxican with cactus as a mural on his puesto. Don't forget I lived at the Casa Sepulveda on Olvera Street, so it was no problem for me to paint until 2:00 A.M. (in those days the business day never ended until the night clubs closed). The mural turned out great. "So, what do you think?" I asked my dear brother-in-law Mario, whom I loved dearly. He took one look at the painting and said, "Get rid of that sleeping Méxican! We want to project the truth of who we are. I want that guy awake by tomorrow morning, or just get rid of the mural!" I never said a word. By the next morning I had painted him with his hat on, head up, and eyes wide awake. It was very challenging and one of my best accomplishments. I sometimes wonder if anyone will ever see that sleeping Méxican under all those layers of paint?
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There were so many funny and good time stories to tell. Like the time Cruz’s mother Cruzita decided to help my mother by taking Mrs. Sterling breakfast to the Adobe house. On her way she slipped on a banana peel, and the beans and eggs went flying through the air. It was a sorry thing to happen, but we just couldn't stop laughing that whole day. It was such a candid moment if you know what I mean? By the way, Cruzita did survive the day and later joined us in a giggle.
Let me go on about the people who came from near and far to see us. They were always sure to bring their cameras. Picture taking became so popular here that we began to have an official festivity called "Camera and Flower Day,” which Mario's wife, Belle originated. It was something to see, a Street full of beautiful colors, costumes, fiestas, music, and magnificent people.
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