'Me llamo Luis,' he said in Spanish. My name is Luis.
He was ten. He was helping me. I was supposed to be helping him.
'Hola Luis. Soy Sebastian.'
We were painting a piece of corrugated iron for a wall. He slapped the yellow paint on. He sent splashes everywhere. He created stars on my clothing.
I was working in a slum. It was a shanty town on the outskirts of the Costa Rican capital built up by Nicaraguan refugees. To say it was basic would be like saying a dead man was slightly sick.
'Don't go in there, it's dangerous,' said a man helpfully as he came out.
Luis was clean and polite. As clean as a refugee kid could be. I was wearing four day old clothes as my luggage was missing. I felt like every time I took my shoes off an angel died. Looking at the both of us, it wasn't clear who was helping whom.
Luis smiled. I had travelled thousands of miles to come here but he was helping me.
He was ten. He was helping me. I was supposed to be helping him.
'Hola Luis. Soy Sebastian.'
We were painting a piece of corrugated iron for a wall. He slapped the yellow paint on. He sent splashes everywhere. He created stars on my clothing.
I was working in a slum. It was a shanty town on the outskirts of the Costa Rican capital built up by Nicaraguan refugees. To say it was basic would be like saying a dead man was slightly sick.
'Don't go in there, it's dangerous,' said a man helpfully as he came out.
Luis was clean and polite. As clean as a refugee kid could be. I was wearing four day old clothes as my luggage was missing. I felt like every time I took my shoes off an angel died. Looking at the both of us, it wasn't clear who was helping whom.
Luis smiled. I had travelled thousands of miles to come here but he was helping me.
Interesting to see how quickly one can get into painting a piece of corrugated iron in another country is the will and determination is there.
ReplyDeleteAs for luggage, have you never heard of the concept of 'hand-luggage-only traveller'? What a bummer. Amazing what you can fit into an overhead locker. Next time.
At least the buildings are short!
ReplyDeleteHope you're ok mate!!
Well Sebby honey maybe he needs to help you so you can help him in a bigger way-
ReplyDeletenice to see you are well.
Miss you lots big kiss Soyar, Nick and DH