My English name is difficult for Spanish speakers and for those who speak the dialect. In the Maya highlands, Marco Aurilio, a Kʼicheʼ speaker and my companion into the world of shamanism, could not pronounce it at all. Because of the fiery chile peppers I always ate, he tagged me Paco, which sounds similar to his word paqon, meaning hot and spicy. The name stuck. My wife and sons call me by that name, as do all my friends.
Anthology:
Aside from individual reminiscences of high school in Midland, Texas, I am most interested in what happened with my classmates after those formative years. Indeed, Dr. McElligott included a section of this website devoted to such an inquiry, so I expect that others are likewise curious. My contribution is an anthology of personal recollections of experiences subsequent to my Midland years. These stories contain many photographs and may take several minutes to load.
(Click on each title below)
In the Painted Caves with the Shamans
Shipwreck, Cannibals, and the Island with the Long Tail
Most Soldaderas Wanted to Fight Just Any Man
The Lone Rider from the Land of the Magic Quileli Bird
Treasure of the Round Rock Rest Stop
Blue Jackets, Bull Buttery and the Choir
Punked and Pimped at the Jardin
