"Pedro Infante"

Pedro Infante: The Border Was Easier Before

man standing outside with coffee cup

In those days in L.A. most of us crossed through different borders, through Tijuana, Mexicali, Algodones or Tecate, almost all of them connect to Los Angeles. I have been through all those borders. Where I liked it most was in Mexicali, because every day I would work on this side picking melons, and by noon they pay you. At that time the border was just made of string with little wires on it. That’s it, there was nothing. In those days you would cross more easily.

Pedro Infante: A Paratrooper in Peru

man on downtown street at night

Yes, he is from Peru, he works in Ballard. He helped Susan as well, a long time ago. He was a paratrooper. You know what that is? And so we always drink coffee at McDonalds, in the morning when he goes to work, and I come. He is a great person, but he is sitting because he is very tall. See there? He’s very tall. Máximo, this is his name. I asked, “Can I take a photo?” “If you want,” because he has already taken pictures with his own camera, he has asked me just do this, but sometimes because I don’t know, two or three pictures would be bad. This time he accepted, so he sat.

Pedro Infante: Where I Play Dominos

pigeons on sidewalk

That is in the park where I play dominoes. People feed the birds there. I’m not drinking, so I have to look for something to do. We all do something different. Instead of drinking, I have found something to do.


Éste es un parque donde juego dominó. Las personas dan de comer a las palomas allí. No estoy bebiendo, así que tengo que buscar algo qué hacer. Todos hacemos algo diferente. En lugar de beber, encontré algo qué hacer.

Pedro Infante: I Call him Four Cans

man standing on sidewalk

Here, that is Cuatro Latas [Four Cans]. That is what I call him. Always he’s there. This is on Waldon, on 3rd and Pike, and if you want to see him, he is there like at 7:00 pm, because he sells cigarettes… Yeah, you know, he also lives on the streets. Almost every picture I took is people from the streets, except one that is there, he is not from the streets, a guy who is from Peru, he has always had work. He has his house, he has money, you know? But the rest are from the streets. So this one, there is not much to say about him.

Pedro Infante: I Know Almost Everyone From the Streets

man sitting on park bench

I took this photo because he is a fun guy… he also works at Casa Latina. I lived on the streets many years, and I know almost everyone from the streets. For many years I slept wherever I could, and it’s never bothered me, I didn’t care… I just live one day at a time. Now I have a small apartment, because I have a friend who helped me. If not, I would still be out in the streets

Pedro Infante: Getting to be Number One on the List

man standing on outdoor plaza

He is a fellow work partner from here, and I have known him a long time, so he allowed me to take a photo of him.

And why did you take a picture of him?

Because he is very helpful: I have known him a while, he hangs around here in the streets, he survives in the streets. I think this is why.

He survives in the streets?

Mm hmm, and he works here at Casa Latina.

Ok, and you work here at Casa Latina, right?

Yes, when there is work.