I learnt how to fish with my uncle and used to go fishing very happy. At the age of nine I started working at the sea; my first salary was half a duro (2.5 peseta, € 0.015). Getting paid was perfect, but if I got no salary I didn’t mind at all, as all I wanted was going out in the sea. I was never driven by money, but for my love for the sea.
The sea will give you “10 truths and 20 lies”; should you get a “truth”, save it for the arrival of the “lies”.
I used to sell what I landed every day myself. After fishing, soaking wet and on my bare feet, I placed my catch in a basket and walked to the bus stop to go to Telde where I sold it all. The money went then to my grandmother so she would make sure we lacked nothing at home.
My dream is to own my own boat… And it came true when I won the lottery run by the Organization for the Blind! I bought my boat and had some money left to spare, so I shared it with those in need.
I pick up a fish with my hand and just by looking at it I know in what area of the waters of Gran Canaria it was caught.
My boat, which was built in 1936, I bought it off a lady who had raised her nine children thanks to it. I gave it a face-lift but promised the former owner not to change the name. Pino was the name, and Pino remained until the day I left her over for scrap.
I have taught at workshops on fishing to scholars and I love it. Once, after I had finished my participation, one of the kids approached me and say: “my mum gave me two Euro to buy anything I liked, and as I loved your talk I give these to you”. Of course I didn’t take them, but this made me feel happier than I had felt after being given a million.
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