A trip to Romsey on market day took us to the stalls in the square, in particular one we had visited before which sells a variety of bread, pizzas, samosas, sausage rolls and, not least, a tempting assortment of cakes and pastries.
Ray went to buy samosas, and a focacia for lunch. I left my scooter and asked him to add a Viennese for me. Overhearing this and seeing me wearing my camera (and seemingly reading my mind) the young man working on the stall offered a photo of him serving the Viennese if I bought two. At least that's what I understood but of course I agreed in any case.
A few shots, and I explained my strangers' project suggesting I might use one of the photos for it. It was agreed. I introduced myself. I had trouble understanding his name even when he spelt it out, and so he suggested Luli as an abbreviation. Although his English was beautiful and fluent, he had just a slight accent.
Luli told me he lives in Essex, has lived in England for half of his life and comes from Albania. He works the market stall on regular days in different locations in the area: Winchester, Alton, Alresford, Chichester....
The strict lockdown because of Covid-19 was a lean time for Luli and in the last month, he has also taken on work as a fitter, laying floors, carpets etc. He told me he needs to care for and feed his family.
I offered photos and he gave me his email address. I had a lean time for strangers' portraits so this was a very welcome addition. Thanks to Luli and all the best to him for the future.
to see Luli selling me my Viennese scroll down here
https://flic.kr/p/2jFQmRH
Enjoy! (Yes, rather worrying but maybe what a lot of us expected.)
I've eaten one but guess I had better save the other for tomorrow! I hope you are doing OK Wendy.
Charming too. No wonder I failed to notice a large obstacle in the background as I took this and therefore had to do a close crop!!!
Phil, thank you for all your support especially when I went through a shaky period with my strangers' project.