She was standing in the pedestrian precinct on Avenida Atlantica, with a guitar and a handwritten notice: ‘Let’s sing together’

She started playing on her own. Then a drunk arrived and another lady, and they started singing with her. Soon a small crowd was singing, and another small crowd provided the audience, applauding at the end of each song.

‘Why do you do this?’ I asked her, between songs.

‘So as not to be alone,’ she said. ‘My life is very lonely, as it is for nearly all old people.’

If only everyone solved their problems like that.

(06-11-2009.11:17)