Dave and a fellow Elvis impersonator were in the parking lot of our grocery store this evening, leftover from the afternoon’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Me: “I’m doing this project where I take pictures of people I don’t know.”
Dave: “Well, you don’t know me!”
Jorge Luis is another bus stop stranger. He’s from Cuba and speaks only “little Spanish, little English.” My own little Spanish does not include “I’m doing this project where I take pictures of strangers,” so I just said it slower and gestured at the camera, then gave him the card.
Anyone want to leave a translation of that sentence, plus, “May I post it on my website?” in the comments?
I spoke with Patricia a couple times today before I finally asked to take her picture: once, in passing in the apartment parking lot, once in the laundry room, and then again in the laundry room when I went to collect the clothes from the dryer. She had taken our clothes out so she could use that dryer, and she was folding them, which is exceptionally nice. So I took her picture and then we folded the rest of my laundry together.
Patricia is a writer and has set the new record for stranger with whom I’ve talked the most. I very much appreciate that she let me take her picture, but I’m even more grateful for the laundry help. That is something I’ll have to pay forward next time I want someone’s dryer.
Ok, I lied. Apparently this is going to become an every-few-days project.
I approached AJ yesterday at the bus stop. Obviously, he agreed to have his photograph taken, and he took off his hood for the photo.
…and then I didn’t take a stranger’s photo today. But I did take photo of these awesome glasses.
My mom and I went to Galveston today, and our walk along the beach took us past some fishermen. Randy (his nickname, his real name is Rudolph) was sitting in the back of his truck, watching his fishing lines posted in the sand. He said the fish were biting today, but he wasn’t cleaning anything he caught until tomorrow. Despite visiting Galveston many times over 11 years, I don’t actually know what kind of fish one can catch (a quick search says trout, redfish and flounder). Anyway, I hope Randy caught some big fish. I’m not sure he’ll get to this site, but he gave me his address, so I’ll send him a copy of the photo.
Iliana is working the front desk at the hotel in Humble, Texas, where we’re spending the night (Humble – silent “h” – is northeast of Houston). She was very open to letting me take her picture. I love her name, and if I ever get to influence the naming of a girl, “Iliana” is a name I would submit for consideration.
I guarantee this project is not going to become an every-other-day thing, even though that’s what it’s been the last few days.
I cheated a little today (and skipped taking a stranger’s photo yesterday). I’m in Austin, and some friends and I had drinks at a place on South Congress where Kelly works. As she closed our bill, my friend realized she and Kelly had been at a party together, so Kelly sat and talked with us for a while. Moments after she introduced herself, I asked to take her picture, since I had just been telling my friends about the project. It turns out she did her Master’s at the school where I got my undergraduate degree. And is my friend’s friend’s friend. Still, I didn’t know her this morning, so it counts.
Whitney and I are both in Houston, Texas. I took his photo and made sure to crop out the logos on his work shirt. Since Whitney hesitated some about having his photo taken, that’s all I’m going to say about him.
I approached Dawn while she was studying at a cafe. She didn’t want any personal information online beyond her name, so I will only say that she and I had the longest exchange I’ve had with a stranger (with this project. Bus strangers tend to ramble when all you really want to do is read or look out the window).
I’m very grateful for the people who agree to let me disrupt their walks or studies or personal time, especially those who initially hesitate. So as always, thanks to Dawn, both for permission and for the conversation.
I missed yesterday’s stranger – I forgot my camera at home when I went to the gym in the morning, and then missed all my other opportunities. I also forgot that this is part of my 365 project, and didn’t take a picture at all yesterday. So at some point, I’m going to have to talk to two people in a day. Maybe Thursday? I’m going to the airport to go to Texas — there’s lots of people at airports.
When we were taking this picture, Josh asked, “Can I do the thumb thing?” Yes and thank you.
