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I will make you a movie star
Amongst his many talents, David is an artisan who you will see at Accra beach. He sells beaded bracelets and costume jewelry which he and local artisans make. He is married to Darla Trotman, an extraordinary artist, who paints with such realism that you have to study to see that it is not a picture. But when you look closely you will see her distinctive touch. David and Darla also own Davids restaurant and the Gallery guest house.
I did not know all this when I approached David at Accra and asked if I could video him for our website. Within a few moments it was clear that I was talking to a different sort of beach vendor. He was reading Og, "How to be a better salesman". I had recently read a book by Og, about an angel, and liked it. We talked of the philosophy behind his writing. "You know, sometimes we just don’t know how good things are, we just keep going, then one day you look around and are amazed by how much you have". David said. I thought he was talking of his table of beads and the magnificent beach. In fact he was, but also of his restaurant and guest house and so much else. So why do you do this I asked? "I like it", he told me, "I like being with people, I love this beach and I meet all sort of good people here".
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David watched a young girl walk past and caught her eye. "Hey", he says, "don’t rush off miss, come here, this man got a movie camera. Come, come, I will make you a movie star". Before I could say camera action, he had us organised, the girl slightly bewildered and unsure while I videotaped. Davids light touch put her at ease and soon she was laughing with him. "No way", she says, “You cant build a star without props. You need action. Where are the coconut and the diamonds?. "Done" says David, "I see you are already got the attitude of a star. OK madam. Coconut man come cut a coconut for the star. Here let me put the royal beads pun you. Yes that’s better, Perhaps we should dance. Bring on the band, hear that music, you like it?, She smiled at his sense of fun, for there was no music and the coconut man was a long way off, but the beads he gave her were real. “Yes that smile going to knock them dead, yes already star, with attitude”. We laughed easily at his charm. "Very good", he says, "rehearsals tomorrow. Then the O*scar". |
David is the star. I no longer marvel at his success. I will look at every beach vendor and wonder at the entrepreneurial spirit behind that simple act. And wonder too how un-simple it is for people of little means to make a living this way, it takes talent, drive and character to do this work well
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FOR MORE LIKE THIS SEE:
ANTHONY | DAVID | STREET VENDOR| COCONUT MAN | MARATHON MAN | IRVING BURGIE |
DONNA'S BEACH GARMENTS | FISHERS | TAILOR| CHOIR BOY | SINGING PLUMBER | RUM SHOP (a story) |
SIR GARFIELD SOBERS | SOCIAL WORKER - OLGA | MUSIC | ARCHITECTURE | ARTISTS | RELIGION |
CARNIVAL | NIGHTLIFE | VISITORS MEMORIES | HISTORY | BARBADOS SAGAS | PEOPLE PHOTOS
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