I started this project called A Stranger A Day to overcome my shyness and talk to people. The challenge: talk to a stranger a day and try to convince them to let me take a picture and share a story. Since most tattoos have a story behind them, this will be my conversation starter and a common thread that links them all. Every week I will be sharing one of my favourite findings here on Vancouver Is Awesome.
Join me in this Stranger a Day adventure and let me know what you think.
Stranger #1
Location: sidewalk around Gravely and Commercial Drive, Vancouver.
He was sitting by himself reading the paper on a table outside (and exactly in between) the gelato place and the liquor store. Leather jacket, blond hair, probably in his late 40s? (I’m terrible with ages). He was serious when approached but his tone and expression changed when he told me his story. “Oh, I have one tattoo that is really special –he took his jacket off, it is for a friend that passed away. We made this band together. I still keep the band. He was my best friend.”
The tattoo underneath is from the band they were in together. “I hope this helps”, he said. He kept on reading and I carried on with my evening. Beautiful story.
After I came home I couldn’t help but googling the band… I realized I had just talked to an influential individual of the Vancouver punk scene in the 80’s. You never know who you’ll cross paths with these days.
Thanks stranger!
Side note: I should say that the hunt for a stranger makes me nervous. It’s like an adrenaline rush. One has to overcome the fear of rejection, because it might happen sooner or later. Cool challenge. Side note 2: most of the writing is done from my phone, hence the extra crappyness. I like to post the pictures right after I took them, while the story is still fresh in my head.
For the daily strangers click HERE.
