Angelo, Gustavo and 15 to 20

Im not sure how to enter this next post without revealing too much, but here goes. A few days ago, I ran into a musician named Jose, who offered to take me out with his buddies at night, after we bought some souveniers. On the way to get the souveniers, we met a few older gentlemen (i.e. junkies) named Angelo (who lived in CA for a while) and Chiba (a small dude who looked like he had seen his share of hard times). I met up with Jose later on, and we took a cab with a friend of his to a bar, where we had a few drinks (huge ass Pisco sours) and chatted up the bouncer. When we got ready to leave, guess who was the only one who had any money. Thats right, I fell for one of the oldest tourist traps known, where a local brings you to a bar, runs up a huge tab, then all the other locals threaten to call the police unless you pay up. Being the smart guy that I am, I didnt have my credit card, ID or more than 30 bucks on me - just enough to pay my share and a cab ride home. I gave em all the money I had and got the hell out of Dodge. Although i didnt get too shafted, I was still pretty upset for being taken by my new friends. Caught a cab ride home, and wouldnt you know it, I ran into Angelo and Chiba. I told them the story, and they proceeded to buy me a few drinks and show me around Miraflores. For anyone who dosent know, having a homeless junkie buy you drinks is quite a honor not bestowed on many. The next day I met up with Angelo & Chiba again for some pool, and watched Chiba get all bent out of shape when Angelo wouldnt leave us alone to play pool. I felt safe, knowing that these guys knew each other from way back - they spent 10 years in prison together, and the rest of the guys that were playing with us spent time behind bars too. Not pouring drinks, either. Anyway, Chiba pulled me aside later that evening and told me that I helped him buy new shoes, pants, get a shave and a hair cut with the 3 dollars I gave him earlier that day, and it was his pleasure to buy a game of pool for us. Im going to leave the story there, but i was quite touched to see how much joy a person can get out of such a small gesture. Still puts a smile on my face.