Parte del folklor ecuatoriano es encontrarse con esta bicicleta modificada a triciclo que vende hielo raspado con sabores dulces preparados de brevajes como rosa, menta, manzana, y leche condensada encima, refrescante y dulce como nada que hayas probado antes.
Recorren las playas bajo un sol canicular, y sin necesidad de hacerse propaganda, la gente, en especial los niños, se acercan y compran estos granizados con los sabores que mas le agradan, los míos son menta y rosa.
Es una de las delicias que no encuentras en playas de Florida y que seguramente quienes viven allá extrañan.
Sin embargo esta foto la tome aquel día de playa mientras estaba sentado en una silla perezosa que me alquilo el señor de los parasoles, cuando me detuve a observar el cuadro, en el momento justo que el señor se acerco a otro parasol a entregar sus granizados, capte la foto.
Entonces vi la alegría de las personas que estaban comprando y la sonrisa del señor entregando los vasos, y me dio mucho gusto pensar en lo que representa para él vender sus granizados, es ganarse la vida de la manera mas honrada, con esfuerzo, con calor, pedaleando y raspando el hielo todo el día.
Y luego pensé en la alegría de sus hijos que seguramente lo reciben al final de su jornada con el pan bajo el brazo.
Por eso es para mi "Un granizado de alegría", y que disfrutare siempre que los vea cruzar por la playa.
Imagen de un granizado de multiples sabores.
---English Version
Part of Ecuadorian folklore is coming across this bicycle-modified tricycle selling shaved ice with sweet flavors made from concoctions like rose, mint, and apple, topped with condensed milk—refreshing and sweet like nothing you've ever tasted before.
They cruise the beaches under the scorching sun, and without any need for advertising, people, especially children, come and buy these slushies in their favorite flavors; mine are mint and rose.
It's one of those delicacies you can't find on Florida beaches, and it's surely missed by those who live there.
However, I took this photo that day at the beach while sitting in a lazy chair the umbrella man rented me. When I stopped to look at the scene, just as the man approached another umbrella to hand out his slushies, I captured the shot.
Then I saw the joy of the people who were buying and the smile of the man handing out the cups, and it made me very happy to think about what it means to him to sell his slushies; to earn a living in the most honorable way, with effort, with warmth, pedaling and scraping ice all day long.
And then I thought about the joy of his children, who surely welcome him at the end of their workday with bread under their arms.
That's why, for me, it's "A slushie of joy," and I will always enjoy it when I see them crossing the beach.
