Under the blazing sun and through quiet streets, the familiar bell of a paletero’s cart echoes. It’s a sound that carries not just frozen treats, but stories of resilience, sacrifice, and deep community ties.
In a community where paleteros are a beloved presence, few stop to consider the challenges they face, the pride they take in their work, or the role they play in connecting people. The lives of these “vendedores ambulantes” or street vendors is more than selling ice cream. They have their struggles, they celebrate their triumphs and explore the unique relationships they build with customers. Through their eyes, and the voices of those who support them, we gain a deeper understanding of their role in our daily lives.
A big staple of SAHS students’ afterschool experience includes a hardworking Paletero. While it was his first job he picked up after coming from Mexico, he enjoys being part of the community.
“The best thing about my job is getting to meet new people,” Paletero 1 said. “Some people can be rude sometimes but there are so many supportive people in the community that makes it all worth it.”
While the community has been welcoming to all paleteros, the state of the community has faced changes, especially this past year. Paleteros’ troubles may not only be their daily hustle walking along the streets, but they are also impacted by the current things happening in our society. Their struggles may often go unheard.
Paletero 1 expresses his own concern with the things that have been happening.
“A big obstacle that I can say we all have been facing has been the raids that’s been going on. These are scary times and who knows what may happen. You go out to sell and you don’t know if you’ll come back home to your family,” Paletero 1 said.
Many paleteros like Paletero 1 have little choice but to risk their safety every day.
“I have had thoughts to stop selling but at the end of the day, what else is there to do. It’s what I have to do to keep food on the table,” Paletero 1 said.
Among our streets also walks another paletero. After coming from Guerrero Mexico, he has been a paletero for years. Being of an older age, Paletero 2 expresses one of his difficulties.
“Walking on the slopes of the sidewalk, sometimes I fall, sometimes I reverse, because you can’t go forward anymore,” Paletero 2 said.
Hearing about how other unfortunate “vendedores ambulantes” have been treated, Paletero 2 acknowledges the potential risk working the job he has.
“I hope that people don’t think of me as a burden, but as someone who is trying to move along with this job,” Paletero 2 said.
These thoughts may come across their mind, but Paletero 2 reassures themselves through the love of their family.
“My days are filled with lots of walking; it can be hard due to the sun but you have to make it work. What pushes me forward is my family,” Paletero 2 said. “They’ve been my main source of determination and for them, coming home from being a paletero is worth it.”
Even with physical and emotional distress, Paletero 2 is proud to represent his people.
“We are all pushing this country forward, Latinos, Mexicans, Guatemalans, Honduras, Salvadorans, all of us who are Latinos come for a future to move forward. No matter how much or little is done, everything is fine,” Paletero 2 said.
Many students around the community buy from paleteros on the daily. Whether it’s chips or ice cream, they are part of their daily work lives.
Senior Gustavo Zacapala shares his experiences with paleteros.
“Paleteros are nice, caring, energetic people. They help keep the community together by spending time talking with others when buying snacks,” Zacapala said.
Even though they may seem as ordinary people, paleteros help form childhood memories to students such as Zacapala.
“My favorite memory I have of them was when I was a little kid. I remember sharing that I wanted to become a pharmacist and they were giving me worlds of encouragement and supporting my dreams,” Zacapala said. “I talked to them about wanting to go to college and they supported me by telling me to give it my all and not to give up.”
Senior Nathan Luna enjoys buying chips from paleteros every few weeks. When he thinks of paleteros, he thinks of their congenial behavior and most importantly, the iconic sound of their bells as they walk down streets.
“My favorite thing about them is their ringing bells and they always have a sense of humor,” Luna said. “They’re a symbol and a remembrance of life back in Mexico, it’s culture.”
Junior Angelo Arnaud enjoys a strawberry shortcake bar once a week from his favorite paletero. He’s made many close paletero friends and has a lot to share about them.
“I view them as hard-workers, constantly working for themselves and their family. Paleteros play a major role in the culture of the neighborhood, they are involved in many amazing memories for a majority of the youth now. I enjoy talking with them and getting to know them more, learn about their own life and how it is being a paletero as well,” Arnaud said.
As the sun sets and the streets quiet, the gentle chime of a paletero’s bell fades into the evening, a reminder of the unseen dedication that keeps a community alive and thriving.
