As far as our riders from the Czech Republic are concerned, Norberto Padilla is far more than a horseback guide. Musing over their recent ride along Rio Ignacio, they heard Norberto’s instructions to continue on without him for a few minutes; that he’d catch up with the group momentarily. An exchange of looks, confused, uncertain, and they quickly understood: Norberto was off his horse, collecting trash left behind by lumberjacks or hikers or who-knows-who. No curses of remonstration, no self-serving announcement of his environmental heroism, no entreaties for attention to his small act of kindness, Norberto was simply acting spontaneously. Keeping his word, he silently rode up behind the group, tied his horse alongside the others at our look-out point, and in a clearing a good distance from the horses, Norberto lit a match to the pile he had gathered and watched it carefully as it disappeared into ashes. So what? Well, so much to our Czech guests. This small act left a big impression, as is the case so often with "El Aventurero."

"We’ve noticed a lot of trash around here," they rued. "How positive it is to see someone who cares and wants to do something about it."

Next time you’re around the stables of El Aventurero, you might even smile at the trash cans Norberto has about the place. If Spanish isn’t your best language, allow this interpretation to the signs on each can: "La Tierra esta Nosotros Hogar. La Tierra esta Nosotros Madre. Proteje Nosotros Tierra. No Tire Basura." (The Earth is Our Home. The Earth is Our Mother. Protect Our Earth. Don’t Throw Trash)

Kinda puts hope into your heart for this new generation of Mexican entrepreneur, huh?