Argentinian Expat in Tenerife: "I Wish I Could Fall Asleep and Never Wake Up"

Walter Fabián Espósito, 62, was surprised by a call from DIARIO DE AVISOS while at Hiperdino. He was there, trying to stretch the four euros he'd collected from public charity that morning. As he answered our questions, we could hear him talking to the clerk: "Please give me 90 cents worth of cheese." Then he joked, "You gave me 93 cents worth, you can't trust anyone these days."

Walter, who is Argentinian and came to Tenerife in 1996, spoke to us while shopping for the small amount of food he would make last as long as possible. Besides the cheese, he bought two sausages, a loaf of bread, and some ice for his cooler. "Great! I did my shopping and I had 50 cents left over," he said happily at the checkout.

Walter is hoping to receive "aid" from the Canary Islands Government at the end of the month. He hasn't received a payment in two years. "They tell me that, in theory, it has already been accepted," he said with a sigh, though he's not completely sure because of a debt he has.

He has colon cancer that is "half controlled" – he needs "one more test to claim victory." The illness forced him to stop working as a kitchen helper at a hotel in Los Cristianos three years ago.

With his compensation, he bought a "fourth or fifth hand" motorhome. It's been his home since 2022, and he almost lost it a couple of years ago when the refrigerator burned out. Parked in the Hospiten parking lot, near the Playa de Las Américas crane depot, he spends his time alone, often crying. But sometimes, he shows his sense of humor.

His health is making life difficult. "I get very tired and have headaches," he said. In addition to his colon problems, he recently had a scare with some tests that showed "something strange" in his prostate. He hopes to get more clarity with a second test soon.

Since his story was shared by Norberto Chijeb in this newspaper in May 2024, his life hasn't improved. "I'm desperate to work," he said. In that article, he said that despite everything, he woke up every morning with a smile and wanted to "continue living." Now, he feels differently. The years of barely surviving and the lack of hope have taken their toll. "If I could have one wish, it would be to fall asleep and never wake up again; I would be the happiest person in the world."

The hope for a lucky break is fading. Walter, who is registered with a Spanish passport and lives in his motorhome, doesn't know where he finds the strength. "I don't count on my family, and friends disappear when you no longer have coffee to offer them," he said as he walked from the supermarket to his home.

There, he manages to wash his clothes and bathe with cold water every day, "because I am a cleanliness fanatic," he said. His only hope, he admits, is to raise the money that "a very nice man" is asking for to get a used refrigerator worth 250 euros, which would allow him to keep food for longer.

Walter is grateful for the help he receives on the street and from people who come to his motorhome (even with some online transfers), as well as "how well the Arona Local Police behave."

At the end of our conversation, he said, "When you come around here, I invite you to drink water, which is what I can offer you. For coffee, you have to wait," he said with a sad smile.