Drum Drum Fam at Feria

People just stop anywhere and start doing their thing. We were happy to put a mil in the hat that he had laid on the ground. Leon buys our band aids every Saturday from a man in a wheelchair. Most of the people that ask for money don't believe that society owes them anything. They try to find something that they can provide that people will want to pay for. A couple people have asked for money without giving us anything. We always give it to them. They are standing before us looking into our eyes and we  love them. The other day someone wouldn't leave us alone after we gave him a few pesos and a little treat. He ended up giving Asaph his hat before we parted.
On the bus the other day 2 rough looking, loud, bold men started doing a hip hop thing. If I had been in Portland I would have been afraid. They were right next to me and after a while they started talking to me. When they figured out that I didn't understand them they were friendly and said, in English, "Welcome to Chile". Then they continued their act and I suspected they were saying something about me. When they were finished they walked around and people gave them pesos. They had performed bravely and were good at what they were doing. People appreciate that.
On the subway yesterday a man started ranting. I wondered if he was preaching until he put a pair of ladies underwear on his head. He stood in front of us and teased us in a friendly way. He was obviously asking why we wouldn't give him any pesos. We just smiled and the Chilean people chuckled. Leon and I weren't going to give him anything because we didn't know if his act was good or foul. Then Sim gave him 250 pesos and we were off the hook.
The jugglers and musicians are especially entertaining. The other day there was a papa with his son on his shoulders. They were juggling together in the intersection during every red light. They knew just when to stop and collect the pesos before the light turned green. The little boy walked between the cars to collect them.