My wife Jane and I had invited our friend Alberto Castro to dinner at an Italian restaurant in San Diego, were we live. We have enjoyed Alberto's friendship for many years. Alberto is Mexican; he was born in the southern state of Tabasco and now lives in Tijuana.

The name Tabasco is a corruption of Tabscoob, the name of the leader of the Mayas-Chontales, who fought unsuccesfully the invading Spaniards in the Battle of Centla, near the current town of Frontera, Tabasco, on March 14, 1519.

The word "Tabasco" must have come up during our conversation at the restaurant, because we were surprised and amused when the waiter suddenly approached our table and said:

"Here is the Tabasco sauce that you ordered."