Papi

Indigenous to the Quechua tribe of Peru, Papi recycles aluminum cans that he finds on the shores of the Amazon River. The port residents are sympathetic to him and save their beverage containers for Papi. Apparently flattered by my interest in him, Papi guided me around the port and shared his daily life with me.

Given that he speaks neither Spanish nor Portuguese, we had to communicate for better or for worse with hand signals, by miming and with the use of facial expressions and gestures. Since it is impossible for me to tell his story, I can only share through images my fascination with this spontaneous, handsome man who has an incomparable joy for life.