NEWSLETTER

INTERVIEWS BY RODRIGO TEIE PHOTOS BY MARTHA ÁLVAREZ


MIGUEL
Vice: Tell us about yourself.

Miguel: My name is Miguel Angel, I am 19 years old.

When we were here taking photos for the magazine, someone else was wearing the Elmo costume.

Yeah, sometimes we switch. For example, I was Elmo earlier today but they made me change into Winnie the Pooh. I don’t like Pooh because the belly is too big and it’s uncomfortable. Besides, it’s hotter than Elmo. I get jealous when someone else gets to be Elmo instead of me.

How long have you been working here?

A couple of months. I used to work here before but I had to go to my mother’s hometown. When I returned I asked for the job back. I like it because you can play with children and make them laugh, and I get a salary plus what I make from tips.

How do you make people laugh?

I like to act like I’m very happy. Sometimes I pretend to fall off the chair. That always works. That’s why I like Elmo better. He can be funnier. It’s difficult to move with the Pooh costume.

Are you in school?

No. I was but I had to drop out to help my mom take care of my little brothers and help out around the house while she worked. She sells shampoo. She buys the bottles, fills them with shampoo, and sells them door to door.

Where is your father?

He went to Los Angeles. He works machinery over there. He crossed the border illegally about a year ago.

How long did it take him to get to Los Angeles?

Around two or three weeks. He told me they caught him twice and deported him, but he tried a third time and finally made it. I remember feeling desperate while I was waiting for his call. I even cried a couple of times. I love my parents very much and I was really worried about him.

What was in his bag when he left?

He had a backpack with some pants, shirts, and a pair of shoes.

Didn’t he take any pictures of your family?

No, he didn’t take anything else. He left because he wanted to buy a car. We both like Mustangs a lot. Recently he told me that he has one already and that he wants to make arrangements to bring me and one of my brothers to him. We talk on the phone once a week.

What do you do in your free time?

Study. I taught myself to read. I didn’t learn much at school because I wasn’t very bright. I tried to read the books the teachers gave me but I didn’t know how. So later I decided to pay more attention while I was in the street looking at signs and announcements and I finally managed to make sense of letters and group them into words. I also really like the masked wrestling matches on TV. And a telenovela called La Central de Abastos. I also like watching cartoons. If we get to watch a cartoon with one of the characters I dress up as, I always tell my little brothers that it is me on TV. I like that.

Do you have a girlfriend?

I used to have one but we broke up. Sometimes, when I’m in the Elmo costume, girls flirt with me. But I think that if I took the mask off they would get scared. With the costume I hug them and send them kisses. If they send kisses back I laugh and pretend to cover my face, as if I were shy.

Would you act that way without wearing a mask?

I think so, but I don’t think they would pay me any attention. I don’t like my face. I think it looks ugly. I am undergoing acne treatment. They charge me $55 for each session. I’m supposed to go every day, but I can only go on Mondays. My mom promised she would take care of it. She has bought a lot of products, but none have worked.


CONTINUED
THE KIDS IN CHAPULTEPEC PARK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 >

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