Michael Bou-Nacklie

Adventures around the world: Lebanon

   
  
     
  
I love this pic and I hate it at the same time. I wanted a much wider shot but right to the left of him are a bunch of parked cars and a parking meter which I think totally killed the focus on him. This shot and treatment has been missing from my collection for some time and I feel it's reminiscent of my Mexico series several years ago which I still feel are my best to date (post1 post2). His name is George and he's been a shoemaker and polisher for 30 years. My Arabic is scratchy at best so I couldn't understand his 100 mile an hour commentary on his life. Sweet man, and definitely why I love this district so much. I'm posting this for a reason. Collectively we get very complacent with our lives especially with the new years resolutions we never stick to - yeah you never did quit smoking - and old man George really embodies someone who is content-ish with his blue-collar life. I say 'ish' because his time worn face, leathery from years of exposure outdoors, creased and shifted when he mentioned his one regret. Spending time with his son who died in the civil war so many years ago. Now you could be thinking this could be an act - but you didn't see how this man completely shifted from a controlled demure to basically one of utter infant emotion. The shift happened for roughly 2 minutes his outstretched hand grabbed my forarm as he arched forward as two tears dropped from his head arched downward over his tools. He quickly recomposed himself and wished me a Merry Christmas and told me to hug whatever family I had that day.Naturally he asked if I wanted my shoes shined even with tears welled up in his eyes. Instead I asked him if he wanted anything, shoes, a shirt, a hat, anything at all. All he wanted was a warm coffee and in exchange he would shine my shoes. When I brought it back to him he smiled, took my face in his rough polish stained hands and with his teary eyes said something I couldn't understand but I gathered was some sort of blessing.Next time you think your life is in the dumps and you're depressed from how much work you're stuck with this Christmas season; remember George and his life long work of trying to make your shoes shinier and restitching the lining of your work shoes.Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone.Remember you owe someone you love a hug from me.Let's make some realistic resolutions this year like, being nicer to everyone you care about and taking better care of yourself and maybe telling the people you love just how much you care about them. Deal?