Perhaps my friends in Miami at the Cuban Heritage Collection would be disappointed in me….yesterday while I was reading in Bar Britanico a deaf man, who sells pendants or stickers, came by my table … the last time I saw him in the Britanico I had no extra cash … I vowed to myself that I would buy from him the next time he came around … whatever he was selling … I expected something related to Boca Jrs or River football teams…rather, now, I have a set of Che Guevara stickers to adorn my belongings…
July 31st, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Jeff – You are not only living in the city, you are living it and giving it your life. It is appropriate then that I give you this name and ask a question. Antonio Porchia was a humble man who lived and worked in Argentina from 1911-1968. He wrote aphorisms which were translated and published by WS Merwin. After Porchia’s death, a radio station in Buenos Aires would read some of his thoughts as they would sign off the air. Roberto Juarroz was a contemporary and friend, he was also a poet. From what I have read of your experiences and observations, you probably would have met Porchia and befriended him. You certainly would understand his writings. Two brief quotes and I leave you: “I know what I have given you. I do not know what you have received.” “He who makes a paradise of his bread makes a hell of his hunger.” He also wrote, “We live in the hope of becoming a memory.” Does anyone remember him in Argentina? Tj
July 31st, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Tim – Thanks for your kind words. I’m not familiar with Porchia but I’m certainly going to read up about him. Maybe he will be the subject of a future post of mine. Thanks for introducing me to yet another intriguing character of Argentina.
August 1st, 2008 at 5:35 pm
I cannot believe I missed the Che stickers. I did not see him across the street at El Hipopótamo.