Danny Mallinder | personal blog

Most Thursday I try to make my way to the centre of Santa Ana to meet the local people. 

There is Charlie who own a small fruit and vegetable stand, and Raul who owns a Taco business, Taco Barbacoa - a great place to sit and talk with people.

Raul's Taco Barbarcoa business - sit down area inside

And then there is Martin.  When I met Martin he asked for money, I offered him a meal at Taco Barbacoa and some cloths - I wanted to hear his story.

Me and my new friend Martin

Martin's been drinking in the town center for over 20 years, he has lost his wife and kids, has no job or money, what money he can beg for or earn he will use to buy alcohol.  He has been in and out of jail many times, the local police are not kind to him, and he has the reputation as the town drunk. 

He lives with his mother who sells cloths at the markets in the weekend when she can.

Buying Martin some second hand cloths

At 9am the next day I waited in my car to meet Martin and his mother in the town center.  The day before he agreed to go with me to the local rehabilitation center for alcoholics - he would visit and make an effort to change his life. 

... I waited for over 30 minutes, he never came. 

I saw him later that day, he was drinking, he hugged me and thanked me - he was not ready to change.