Writing from the beach in Sicily. Every noon we have 2 “venditori ambulanti” resting outside our wall under the shade of our pine tree. These are 2 of thousands of strong, smart, multi-lingual refugees from North Africa that end up in Sicily. They walk the beach selling jewelry, sunglasses, toys, clothing, pirate cds, even rugs. They carry heavy loads. They walk for miles. They sell stuff for very low prices and their customers bargain them down even more.   Mostly they are ignored, sometimes tolerated, once in a while they sell something.  I have no idea what happens if they have health problems and can’t work. mostly they are young aftrican men but i’ve seen a few old men, young chinese women, and very young boys.  Once in a while they ask us for water or a coffee. They gave the girls a couple of braided string bracelets for free. I feel the urge to engage but the culture strongly says no. 

I’m wondering what these roving sellers have in common with me.