A few days ago, I was walking home, after coffee with a friend. A stranger called out to me.
Stranger: Hello, my brother. Let me guess, you’re from Brazil?
Me: [slowing down]…No, but I’ll give you another chance
Stranger: Portugal?
Me: ..Okay, two more.
Stranger: South America, Egypt?
Me: Nope. Okay, my turn… Nigeria?
Stranger: That side of Africa. Go West
Me: Benin…?
Stranger: More West…
Me: Mauritania….? Okay, I give up.
Stranger: Gambia
[I guess the game was over, but he kept speaking]
Stranger: I came here through mountains and forests. I got to Italy from Libya.
Me: I read Libya was three separate tribes, before Euro colonists drew borders. And also that slave markets still operate there.
[A half-remembered thing my brain produced since curiosity got there before sensitivity.]
Stranger: …yes. It’s a very dangerous place. There’s a lot of trafficking
Me: What’s your name?
Stranger: …Yankuba. I wanted to ask if you could help me buy some food.
Me: Okay, I can get you a few things if you tell me what you need. But hang back while I pop into the supermarket.
[I’m a Londoner. Directness is a reflex]
Yankuba: My brother, thank you so much. I’m living in a camp now, five or six bunks in a tiny space. And I came here with just the clothes on my back.
Me: Who brought you here?
Yankuba: Smugglers, big business. €300 each. 120 people on my boat.
Me: Shit. That’s €36k
[Again, not the most sensitive response. When someone is being super open, my brain feels permission to inquire about systems and incentives. Trying to make sense of it all.]
Yankuba: …
Me: What can I get you from the shop?
Yankuba: Tuna. It lasts a long time. How much would you allow?
Me: I have around €40 till the end of the week.
Yankuba: That’s all? Then brother, don’t worry. I don’t want to use this money.
Me: No it’s fine.
[For context, I’d spent a third of my €120 weekly go-crazy allowance on CeraVe the day before]
Inside Continente, I wandered past the shelves looking for something more substantial than a collection of tins. I found the hot-meals section, picked up half a roasted chicken, and then added a large can of tuna…the thing that would last.
Outside, I handed the food to Yankuba.
Yankuba: Thank you, my brother.
Me: Take care of yourself.
We wished each other well, then walked away in opposite directions.