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Mixed feelings - Fruit vendor tells of the ups and downs of hustling

Published:Saturday | November 5, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Pineapples, oranges, jelly coconut, papaya and ripe bananas are among the fruits on offer from Tony.- photos by Christopher Serju
Tony peels a pineapple for packaging in anticipation of a sale.
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Christopher Serju, Gleaner Writer

JUNCTION, St Elizabeth: FROM WEDNESDAY to Saturday, Tony may be found at his stall, located beside Kinkaid's Plaza in Southfield Square in St Elizabeth, selling papayas, pineapples, sugar cane, coconut jelly, and oranges. In between customers, he takes the time to peel and bag some of the produce in order to facilitate a quick sale for anyone on the move.

On the days when he is absent, Tony is busy gathering produce from all over the parish to meet the needs of his customers. He also returns to the community of Ginger Hill, some distance away, noted for its abundance of pineapple. It's the place he calls home. However, the fruit vendor has no time to enjoy the creature comforts of home. Most of the time is spent walking from place to place gathering the stuff, and by the time he is done, it's time to hit the road for Southfield again - a vicious cycle.

"It rough man. All six and seven coconut trees - tall like the light post - me haffi climb every week just fi get some jelly fi achieve a living. Mi come pon the road side three days and three nights," he shares. Even then, he cannot afford to relax.

Tony explains: "Bwoy, it difficult out ya because more time all a nighttime me have fi tie down before time because of the robbers on the street, and them get terrible because up to last night, a two place them tear down in one night, one just below me."

Even in the midst of his struggles, the Ginger Hill resident has reason to be thankful. With no family members around, he must depend on the kindness of strangers, and Southfield has been good to him.

The good fortune started just over a year ago when he identified the area where the road leading to Munro College intersects the Southfield main road as an ideal location to pursue his hustling.

He says, back then, Joseph Kinkaid was quick to give permission for him to set up a stall against the appliance store which bears his name. Then, there is a lady - to whom he refers as his good Samaritan for the reason that she allows him the use of her house to bathe and change clothing - who lives next door. In addition, there are times when she shares some of her cooking.

According to Tony, "she all right, she is just a good friend".

The long hours, hard work, and uncertainty mean this is no job for the meek, but so far, Tony has been equal to the task.

"The only pressuring me get is from the parish council man them because me have to look bout a vending licence." In addition, when he buys coconuts most of the sellers have no pickers and so he must climb the trees and pick the fruits, for which he gets a small discount.

These are among the main reasons why Tony is looking to come off the streets as soon as it ispractical.

The street hustler fears for his life at the hands of criminals. Said he: "Mi not planning fi do it too long. Mi a let go the road man. Mi expect fi get one little drive from me people them, and anyhow me get it, a just wholesale market me a go do and go back a bush go farm, 'cause life sweet, yah man; nobody wants to die. More time me out yah a nighttime and me fret."

christopher.serju@gleanerjm.com