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Diego saved $50 every week for one year.
After twelve months, he had $2,600 in a small box under his bed.
His dream? Watch the World Cup in Houston, Texas.
He opened his laptop and looked for a plane ticket. The ticket cost $480.
He said, "The ticket is so expensive!" He looked at hotels.
The cheapest one was $150 a night. "The hotel is so expensive!"
Then he remembered. His American friend Mike said, "Stay at my house!"
Diego called Mike. Mike said yes.
Diego packed his bag, took a taxi to the airport, and flew from Mexico City to Houston. The flight was three hours.
But when he arrived in Houston, something very funny happened.
Everyone spoke Spanish.
The signs were in Spanish. The music was Mexican music. The food was tacos and tamales.
Diego was confused. He called Mike.
"Mike! My plane didn't go to Houston! I'm still in Mexico!"
Mike laughed loudly.
"Amigo, you ARE in Houston! Houston has a big Mexican community.
Welcome to Texas!"
Diego didn't believe him. So he showed his plane ticket to a taxi driver.
The taxi driver smiled and said, "Bienvenido a Houston, señor."
Diego laughed. "Okay, I'm really in the USA!"
This is one of the funniest moments in English learning: a Mexican man lands in Texas and thinks he never left Mexico. That is how big the Mexican community is in Houston.
The World Cup Game
The next day, Diego and Mike went to the stadium. The game was amazing.
Mexico won 2 to 1. Diego cried with happiness.
But after the game, Diego touched his back pocket. His wallet was gone!
No money. No passport. No credit cards.
He was scared. He didn't know what to do.
Mike put his hand on Diego's shoulder.
"Don't worry, amigo. I got you. We are family now."
Mike helped Diego. They called the police. They went to the Mexican consulate. Mike gave Diego money for food. Diego stayed at Mike's house for three more days.
Before Diego flew home, he hugged Mike and said:
"Mike, you are not my friend. You are my brother."
The Lesson in This Story
Sometimes, the worst moment on a trip becomes the best memory.
Diego lost his wallet. But he found something more valuable: a bestfriend.
And that is something money cannot buy.
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Words from today's lesson
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Hope you enjoyed reading this and learned a few more words.
Much love,
Ziyad at theenglishzone.co