Armando Malanga. I don’t know whether its just me, but have you ever met someone you are so glad to have met, doesn’t happen to me a lot, don’t really meet that much people or plan on doing, but i am so glad I met Mr Malanga.
Source: jordanfoy.com
Mr. Malanga
Source: jordanfoy.com
In Chester there is a continental food shop, Armando runs this. I must of walked past 100+ times, give a little wave as he is always there first giving you a wave. The shop is never busy, very small and very traditional, something big supermarkets swallow up in their paths of mass building. Armando has kept his little shop going for the passion of the Italian food he sells, and for the love of owning his own shop.
I went in and asked him if I could just take his photo, explaining it was for a black and white course I am doing, expecting I would be in and out in under 2 minutes. He was happy enough to let me do so, but once I took the photos he just started chatting. I didn’t want to be in the way, so I said I would leave him to watch the TV, which was hidden underneath the counter, but he was having non of it.
“Stay…stay… I love to have conversation”.
I was more than happy to speak to him, I found he was one of them people that you don’t look over his shoulder, fully enjoying what he had to say. We talked about Italy, Avillino where he lived, his previous jobs, the area over the past 40 years and dean martin. (maybe I am an old man!)
After nearly two hours it was coming to closing time so I thought it was best I go.
“Please come take a photo when you want, and come have conversation, makes day go faster”
So I am going to go back with the photographs I have taken, as he keeps souvenirs of the people who have been in his shops, and give him the photos.
Been a really good day.