La Manzanilla.info Message Board Archives

Humans of La Manzanilla - Chido

Posted by David Dagoli on March 2, 2015, 2:17 pm
189.164.200.107

Chido has been the main ticket-taker/guide at the cocodrilario in La Manzanilla for the last couple of years. The name 'Chido' is actually a nickname meaning 'cool' in Spanish, as in 'wow, that's cool!'.

Chido was born in El Grullo, Jalisco, 40 years ago. He has lived in La Manz on and off for around 23 years. In fact, he has a 23 year-old son and a grand daughter (18 months-old) who live in Jaluco.

Chido speaks pretty good English and actually spent some eight years in the U.S. He was undocumented, and was eventually caught, thrown in jail, and deported back to Mexico.

Chido wanted me to say that, even though some people may know him from his days as a drug-addict and a drunk, he has been off drugs for 13 years, and completely sober for the last 3 years. He says he had a lot of help from his friend and crocodile expert Pepe Martinez (subject of a future HOLM).

Chido says he has learned some hard lessons and his life has done a 'vuelta completa' - turned around completely. He has a new wife of one year, and a baby girl, and he says he is a very happy man now.

Chido also wanted to clear up any confusion about the project in the mangrove to extend the 'Crocodile Walk'. They have already started to install a raised walkway along the south (town) side, which will take visitors much further - about 300 metres back into the swamp - where it will connect to a second (to be constructed) suspension bridge across 40 metres of the lagoon. Then another 170 metre walkway will connect to the existing viewing platform to form a complete circle tour of the mangrove.

There will also be a 'Mini-Museum' installed on the walkway near the entrance, showing information about the crocs and the mangrove.

All materials used will be natural and of lowest possible impact to the Eco-system. They have ordered over 700,000 pesos worth of wooden posts and slats.

In the bottom photo you can see the work progressing today on the posts for the new walkway.








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Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Chido

Posted by David Dagoli on March 2, 2015, 2:26 pm, in reply to "Humans of La Manzanilla - Chido"
189.164.200.107

By the way, there were some Ejido members there today when I was mentioning that people are worried about the sewage emptying into the lagoon. They seemed surprised and said that although there is water entering and overflowing from the system during the rainy season, normally the sewer does not flow into the mangrove.
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Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Chido

Posted by Rob Boyes on March 2, 2015, 5:34 pm, in reply to "Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Chido"
187.148.184.111

Thankyou David for the slop and the photos
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Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Chido

Posted by Rob Boyes on March 2, 2015, 8:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Chido"
187.148.184.111

Sorry that was supposed to read Scoop , not slop. I really enjoy these introductions to the real folks of La Manzanilla. Thanks again David
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Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Chido

Posted by DanH on March 2, 2015, 6:58 pm, in reply to "Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Chido"
173.255.183.83

David, if the system is overflowing during rains due to infiltration of rain water into the sewers, that overflow will contain oxygen demanding wastes.
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Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Chido

Posted by shane on March 2, 2015, 4:20 pm, in reply to "Humans of La Manzanilla - Chido"
74.192.131.201

Great story and of course more great pictures .
Thanks !
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Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Chido

Posted by Tim Edwards on March 2, 2015, 4:44 pm, in reply to "Humans of La Manzanilla - Chido"
198.0.232.53

They really did lower the level of the mangrove. Everyone who would like to go wading with the crocs 'raise your hand'.

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Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Chido

Posted by Ron Smith on March 2, 2015, 5:14 pm, in reply to "Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Chido"
187.148.173.121

Or hop on one foot?
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Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Chido

Posted by Jesse Connor on March 2, 2015, 7:16 pm, in reply to "Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Chido"
187.148.168.208

This post has moved away from the profile of Chido , so I want to bring it back to his very positive view of himself . David Dagoli drew an accurate picture of the before and after life of this good guy , who remains humble each day as he is pounding through life . I've known him in both sides of his self-description and have to says that he is focused on the benefits of living on the right side of society . He is the real deal , and there are few people with more heart than Chido , and Kay and I so thrilled with his blessings at last . He is in love , and has assumed proud fathership of the new baby . He has a small piece of land , and is building a love-filled casita for his new family . We love him and can only wish for his continued progress and success .
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Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Chido

Posted by Daniel H on March 2, 2015, 7:55 pm, in reply to "Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Chido"
201.133.153.237

So very well said, truly from the heart.
Thank you Jesse.
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Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Chido

Posted by Ronald Goodspeed on March 3, 2015, 6:15 am, in reply to "Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Chido"
189.164.239.52

Amen to that, Jesse, or as Chido would say, "Right On!". It is truly a joy to be part of his life and to see these good things unfold for Chido and his new family.
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Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Chido

Posted by Erin on March 4, 2015, 4:35 pm, in reply to "Humans of La Manzanilla - Chido"
187.148.135.222

I have known Chido (Nickolas to us) for the past four years, he worked on the crew that built our house and he was one of my favorite workers. You could see him blocks away just from the smile and outgoing personality.He has remained a friend after the build and always welcomes us with open arms and a hug. It does my heart good to see that he has done so so well the last several years as I believe he has done a total about face and is now moving down a completely new path.

Good Luck Nickolas and thank you David for profiling one of the nicest guys in the village.
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