Box man

This is the guy who lives at the end of the raised walkway by Central Pier 3. I’m sure that, as places of abode go, this is probably OK most of the time. He’s sheltered from the rain except perhaps typhoons and only needs to find a warmer place for a few weeks of the year.

I pass him every time I get on or off the Discovery Bay ferry and have always wanted to photograph him surrounded by all his belongings in his home but I’m a bit reluctant to ask people if I can take their picture and this is no less the case for him. I often wave and smile as I pass him now, though he probably can’t tell as my smile is hidden behind my mask.

It occurred to me today that I have hardly any opportunities left to photograph him as we are, I hope, moving house soon, so I plucked up the courage to ask him on my way home this afternoon. He seemed only too pleased to oblige, as you can see.

Why do I call him the box man? Well, this is a popular place for Filipina domestic helpers - aunties - to congregate on their weekly day off, usually Sunday. They sit or lie on flattened cardboard boxes or make them into box forts for a bit of privacy and shelter and there they sing Karaoke, share food or just rest for a while. The box man sells them their boxes but during the week it looks like they make a comfy bed.