"Lolo," by Luis Arriola Ayala. Translation by Megan Saltzman

INTRODUCTION: “Lolo” is one of the eight stories from the book Otosan (2015). Written by Peruvian journalist Luis Arriola Ayala, this book gives visibility to postcolonial, transnational migrant experiences. “Lolo” tells the story of an encounter between two undocumented workers, a young Peruvian and an old Filipino, in a garbage incineration plant in Tokyo. Despite the alienating situation and not being able to speak the same language, the two manage to find temporary companionship and ways to resist. This short story is based on the author’s personal experiences working in Japanese factories.