Making a Living
When you are poorer, making a living is a usually family affair. This girl was attending the ‘shop’. She looks formidable enough though.
Many of the better off were people who sold stuff from blankets and baskets, and against walls. These two sold nice stuff, and so their customers would have had a bit more money than most.
This woman, mid 30s, elegant and self-possessed, had a table out in the street, selling dinner. She wasn’t ignoring me – she wanted her photo taken in profile.
I saw a few of these guys. Walking around, setting up their tables for a while, then moving on. They were doing less well then some, but smiled easily.
Also happy were these grizzled gents sorting fish. The guy at bottom left reminded me of Zorba the Greek, and to his right the tough guy is somewhat compromised by a pink beanie.
Of course one of the problems of work here is that sometimes it is dangerous. These guys are repairing boats. Lying in the mud, under them, as the tide comes in. They were all young – no middle-aged men among them. Surprising given that this is not unskilled work. Probably it is as nasty and dangerous as it looks.
And no matter how hard you work, sometimes making a living is just tough. You only have to look at their faces to know how tough.
Alien Heartbeat 
6 Responses to “Making a Living”
Unreal – thanks for sharing!
Nice story and images. In my own experience I have found that the less people have the more easily they smile, and this makes me want to spend more time with them – perhaps this is why I am drawn to travel outside of western cultures as much as possible.
Agree; but seeing poverty also saddens me. And seeing poverty brought about by corruption – like most of it – leaves me angry.
There is definitely the unavoidable dark side to it too.
Just to clarify – unavoidable in that it is a sad reality we all wish was not so.
of course. agree and understand.