Alley Art and Ali
By Mike Despot
2 Jun 2007
While going through the downtown alleys, taking photos of "Alley Art" I spotted Ali a local short order cook. I snapped a picture of him in the alley doorway of the Meddle Eastern restaurant. He was pleased to see me with my camera and asked if I might take a few shots of him to send back to his family in Iraq. Of course I obliged. He stepped over to a car and leaned on the hood, then realizing he still had his apron on, he removed it. I wanted a shot against the colorful "Alley Art" wall and he spotted the bike. he decided it would impress his family in Iraq if it seemed to be his. So the shots became Ali and his motorcycle.
We spoke briefly, since his English was very limited. He mention that both of his parents had died. He did not say it was because of Bush's war.
We hear so much about the Americans killed in Iraq and so little about the Iraqis that die there.
A few days later I took the printed photos to him, he does not have email. When I handed them to him he gave me the biggest hug I have ever had from a short order cook. It was interesting how such a small act can mean so much to a person. When you have a chance to give a small gift,, it may mean much more than you know, so just do it.
After meeting Ali, I continued my quest to find true "Alley Art".
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