Miguels’ Day
I wrote this article in 2007, as an assignment for a writing class ( and got a great review from the instructor, if you must know, hehe). I’ve decided to publish it here because I made a new friend not too long ago, and he expressed the desire to learn more about life in the Dominican Republic. So I thought this might be a good start (I even created a new category, which I've called 'portraits'.)
A few updates about the piece below, though: Miguel's obviously no longer 12 -he should be 16 now- and he’s working at a car garage as a mechanic apprentice. Well he was last time I’ve seen him, which is about two years ago (he no longer goes to my church). He’s not the one featured in the picture either. His brother and him are sweet, hard-working boys and I’m sure they’ll grow into fine young men. You’ll also notice that the writing style below is pretty juvenile; that’s because it was written for a young audience, say 7-8 years old. I hope you’ll like it nonetheless.
Monique
Miguels’ Day
by yours truly =)
The sun is at its peak heat, yet it’s no later than 10:00 AM. Miguel is looking for some shade. The streets are crowded and noisy: Cars honking, people chattering on their cell phones or with other people. Miguel shoots an envious glance to other little boys going to baseball practice.
He keeps his small box closer to him and walks a little faster. No time to watch other kids or think about cell phones. He has to concentrate on the task at hand. He looks at the passerby’s feet. Forget about the ladies with the flip-flops, they’ll say no. Also forget about the people wearing tennis shoes.
He spots a man with black laced boots that look soiled. Maybe he’ll say yes. Miguel tries to make eye contact, but the man is walking too fast and already passes him by. He sees another person. A lady. He looks at her promptly. “Usted quiere limpiar?” Do you want your shoes cleaned?, Miguel means. She shakes her head, smiles, and goes on.
Miguel is 12 years old. He lives in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic. Every weekend, he goes out on the streets trying to make some money, his little box in hand. What does he do? He cleans shoes.
Inside the box are different types of waxes, creams, and liquid polish in all colors– brown, black, neutral, and white. The box also contains a brush and different kinds of rags like old socks and remains of used pants.
The box is a wooden one, and it’s solid enough to support a customer’s legs or Miguel’s weight. When he’s too tired to walk and can’t find a chair, he sits on the box for a while. It’s not too comfortable, but at least he can rest a little.
His mother passed away about two years ago. Now it’s only the three of them, his Dad, his little brother Juan Miguel, and himself. Juan and Miguel are very fortunate to be able to go to school, even though they started a little later than normal. His Dad works to take care of them, but it’s not always enough money for their needs. So Miguel helps out by working on the weekends as a shoe-shine boy.
Miguel’s hands and shirt are always dirty. His feet are dusty from the long walks but he doesn’t seem to care much. He is strong and that’s what counts. The box is not too heavy, but you do need force to carry it all day long. Today, he’ll probably buy a “janekeke”, a typical kind of bread containing cheese or chicken franks inside. Or maybe he’ll buy a pastry instead. Sometimes he brings Juan with him (who has his own box), and having someone to talk to makes it easier. But lately Juan has been staying home to help with the house chores.
Miguel finally finds a customer, and happily lays his box on the sidewalk. His client puts his right foot on it, and Miguel pulls out his accessories. He kneels down to work. The sun is still hot. He wishes they had found some shady spot. But he won’t loose a customer just because he’s afraid to work in the sun. He has his job to do.
The man is busy reading his newspaper and barely pays attention to him. Miguel hits the box with the brush two or three times, and this means that it’s time to change legs. He’s done with the first shoe.
He finds an average of 10 customers a day. Not everyone has time to have their shoes cleaned; many are not interested and the competition is fierce. There are thousands of boys out there doing the same thing. But he’ll make enough to take a “guagua” (bus) back home and bring something to Juan. That’s sufficient for him.
He hits the box again. He’s done. The customer takes off his left leg, throws ten pesos at Miguel and leaves. That’s the fare for a normal pair of shoes. Boots are a little bit more expensive. Miguel takes his money and gladly goes on. He has already found his first customer for the day.
Tomorrow is Sunday, and he loves Sundays. First he goes to church, and afterwards drinks coffee in the church yard. Of course he takes his box, and since the people are used to him, many let him polish their shoes even when they’re already clean. It’s their way of helping him, and he’s grateful for that. He finds a lot of customers and does not have to worry about the sun or being uncomfortable. Thank God for Sundays.
BACKGROUND NOTE:
Shoe cleaning is a common job in Santo Domingo for little boys whose families don’t have much money. The boys vary in ages. Some start as early as six years old, and others stay into their late teens. Once they start becoming old, they do something else. It’s very rare to find an old man cleaning shoes, even if he never went to school.
Not all kids are as fortunate as Miguel. Some have no way to go to school, so cleaning shoes is all they do during the week.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
