Second look (20)

Boca Chica Dominican Republic. December 31st 1999. I meet him again. He is a funny beggar. He asks for change, then gives you a mint boiled sweet to thank you. He is always smiling, even if you do not give him any money. Late afternoon he is fairly drunk. A cigarette and a plastic cup with some booze in his hands. I tell him he should give up smoking, that would save him plenty of money and he wouldn't need to beg anymore. A good new year's resolution. "Why wait until tonight", he answers and immediately throws his fag on the ground. I laugh and give him some change.

January 1st 2000. I have been woken up way too early, therefore am in a foul mood. I take a walk past the beach. I bump into him again. It seems he hasn't slept at all. Again with booze and fags in his hands, he asks for money again. I remind him of our converstation the day before. He grins. I tell him to work for his money. "Pose for a picture and I'll give you a dollar." Offcourse he obliges. The picture is worth all the dollars I have given him during the month I stayed in Boca Chica.