Genasis
I was walking through Toronto’s Kensington Market which was very quiet this morning. The place really doesn’t come to life until the afternoon most days. I heard a friendly “Good morning, it’s a nice day” from across the narrow one-way street which is typical of Kensington Market. This tall fellow with the wrapped dreadlocks was leaning against a fence with his dog on a leash. I crossed over and we exchanged friendly greetings. Meet Genasis who had Fifi on leash by his feet. Genasis was rolling up a smoke in front of a marijuana dispensary.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries I invited Genasis to be part of my Human Family photo project and he said he would be happy to but that he didn’t want to move from where he was standing. Although the location wasn’t the best, we agreed to a quick photo then and there with the Market shops in the background. He said in the summer he is often dressed in a marijuana costume in wearmer weather and I thought that would have been nice to see. I asked if he was representing the pot shop we were standing in front of but he said “No man. I just do my own thing.” He paused to call out a friendly “Good morning” from time to time to the people who happened to stroll up the street.
When I asked what message he would like to share through my project he thought for a second and said “Smiling is contagious.” This friendly fellow was clearly practicing what he preached and was very laid back. After commenting on smiling being contagious he proceeded to rattle off a series of philosophical sayings and I gathered he is Rastafarian. I was impressed by his quick verbal quotes, but was unable to capture then sufficiently to share them with you. Genasis was interested in getting a copy of the photo and I hoped to make a few more photos of him but friends of his came by and I almost didn’t get his email address due to the other conversations which began.
All in all, it was a very friendly encounter, but I felt a bit disappointed that I didn’t get a clearer sense of this interesting fellow (or a better photo).
Thanks Genasis. It was a pleasure meeting you and your dog Fifi. I hope the rest of your day went well and thanks for the contagious smile.
This is my 580th submission to The Human Family Group on Flickr.
You can view more street portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.
Genasis
I was walking through Toronto’s Kensington Market which was very quiet this morning. The place really doesn’t come to life until the afternoon most days. I heard a friendly “Good morning, it’s a nice day” from across the narrow one-way street which is typical of Kensington Market. This tall fellow with the wrapped dreadlocks was leaning against a fence with his dog on a leash. I crossed over and we exchanged friendly greetings. Meet Genasis who had Fifi on leash by his feet. Genasis was rolling up a smoke in front of a marijuana dispensary.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries I invited Genasis to be part of my Human Family photo project and he said he would be happy to but that he didn’t want to move from where he was standing. Although the location wasn’t the best, we agreed to a quick photo then and there with the Market shops in the background. He said in the summer he is often dressed in a marijuana costume in wearmer weather and I thought that would have been nice to see. I asked if he was representing the pot shop we were standing in front of but he said “No man. I just do my own thing.” He paused to call out a friendly “Good morning” from time to time to the people who happened to stroll up the street.
When I asked what message he would like to share through my project he thought for a second and said “Smiling is contagious.” This friendly fellow was clearly practicing what he preached and was very laid back. After commenting on smiling being contagious he proceeded to rattle off a series of philosophical sayings and I gathered he is Rastafarian. I was impressed by his quick verbal quotes, but was unable to capture then sufficiently to share them with you. Genasis was interested in getting a copy of the photo and I hoped to make a few more photos of him but friends of his came by and I almost didn’t get his email address due to the other conversations which began.
All in all, it was a very friendly encounter, but I felt a bit disappointed that I didn’t get a clearer sense of this interesting fellow (or a better photo).
Thanks Genasis. It was a pleasure meeting you and your dog Fifi. I hope the rest of your day went well and thanks for the contagious smile.
This is my 580th submission to The Human Family Group on Flickr.
You can view more street portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.