Popeye on Caye Caulker, long ago
I remember him clearly, and his wife Olive. We have a some of his pieces from 15 years ago, Really miss him. RIP Popeye
I got in trouble for bringing him on the island back then.
I met him in Turneffe in the 90's when he was the watchman at the light house & one day i saw him in the city as i was passing by the swing bridge.
I asked him what he was doing there & he said he was living under the bridge with his lady Olive.
It was no place to live & I told him come on & brought them with me to CC.
Went to Mexico and bought him a 3 wheels for him to work on the island... Wayne Shurtleff
I remember one time Popeye told Michael and me that some tourists were saying how sorry they were that he didn't have a home. He told them that they should not feel sorry for him. That he has a whole beautiful island that is home, the beautiful sea all around, meeting people and making friends from all over the world, doing what he loves making art and his art is all over the world from people who buy it. He said how could anyone feel sorry for such a life and he said he gives God thanks every day. I think he and Michael are laughing and making art and hanging together with all the memorable Caye Caulker people on the joyful other side.
Photograph by Heather Martin
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