The "Antigua 2019: Faces Of Strangers #55" Story

The umbrella stand of "Hazel The Jewelleryman."
Click on images to enlarge them.

It was an ordinary day.  I had just returned to the small hand-made jewelry stand that stood in front of the Sandals Resort on the island of Antigua.  It was two days ago that I walked up the beach to explore Dickenson Bay and saw this small stand with the umbrella with hand stenciled letters that read, "HAZEL THE JEWELLERYMAN".  Naturally drew my attention and before long I was talking to Hazel who began his beachfront stand over 30 years ago.  His big smile revealed a large letter "H" in gold on his top-left front tooth.  

Hazel

I told him of a gentleman whom I met about 15 years ago while on a visit to the island of Barbados that also ran a jewelry stand and had a large letter "R" on his front tooth.  Guy by the name of Richard who also carried a constant smile on his face as did Hazel.  I examined the handcrafted jewelry that Hazel had for sale and asked the price of a few of the small bracelets.  Most were in the $5 range and I thought they would be a nice Christmas gift for a few young girls that Carol and I know in Lancaster, Pennsylvania where we live.  I told him I would be back the following day to buy them and also asked if I could take a photo of him and his big smile.  "Only if you buy one of my bracelets," he responded.  "I'll be back tomorrow with the money for the bracelets and a photograph," I told him.  

The selection of items he uses in his work.

Then he said, "If you promise to return, you can take the photograph now."  I did so and told him I would be back, although I'm sure he had heard that more times than he could remember.  Well, the following day was extremely hot and I didn't feel I could make the journey down the beach to his stand, so I postponed it.  As I neared his stand today I noticed he was busy working on another bracelet.  Shortly after I walked under his umbrella he looked at me and smiled.  "I thought I would never see you again!  You know how many people tell me they will be back tomorrow?"  "I said, "Yeah, but I'm not one of those other people.  

Many of his bracelets.

I'm sorry I didn't return yesterday, but it was too hot to walk the beach."  His large letter "H" lit up the tent when he smiled!  He showed me the massive collection of beads and trinkets that he uses to make his bracelets and I picked two that would be suitable for a young girl.  Paid him the money and thanked him for allowing me to take the photo two days before.  He smiled and said, "You really surprised me today when you came back.  Not many people have the courtesy to do that.  Glad to know you," he said as he held out his hand to shake my hand.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.