people inspire me, daily.
Don Rueben is 89 years old, and he hates that people know it.  He’s been a fisherman all his life, has 13 children, and near as I can tell, has single-handedly populated half the town of La Ventana. At least once a week, I catch him shuffling toward the beach in the early hours with nets and lines in hand. Every time he passes by my door, this is how our conversation goes: “Me voy a pescar”, he tells me — taking a moment to pause and smile. “Pues, traeme un pez!”, I say enthusiastically with encouragement. “Buenooo!” he says, then waves, and continues on his way. I’ve never actually seen Don Rueben get in his boat, or head out to sea. Nor has he ever brought me any fish.  But I love our morning encounters anyway. I like the way he marches from his house, past my casita, across the sand, to a place on the beach where his panga awaits. I admire the way he moves with purpose. Quixotic as it may be. 

Don Rueben is 89 years old, and he hates that people know it.  He’s been a fisherman all his life, has 13 children, and near as I can tell, has single-handedly populated half the town of La Ventana. At least once a week, I catch him shuffling toward the beach in the early hours with nets and lines in hand. Every time he passes by my door, this is how our conversation goes: 

“Me voy a pescar”, he tells me — taking a moment to pause and smile. 
“Pues, traeme un pez!”, I say enthusiastically with encouragement. 
“Buenooo!” he says, then waves, and continues on his way. 

I’ve never actually seen Don Rueben get in his boat, or head out to sea. Nor has he ever brought me any fish.  But I love our morning encounters anyway. I like the way he marches from his house, past my casita, across the sand, to a place on the beach where his panga awaits. I admire the way he moves with purpose. Quixotic as it may be. 

Posted on November 10th, 2011
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  1. amyhunterphotography posted this