For Cruz, who grew up in Peru’s mountainous region of Cuzco, fog represents a massive opportunity. As a boy, he had to hike for more than an hour every day across rough hills to collect water from the nearest source. But over time, he realized that during the rainy season, drops of water would gather in the large leaves of banana trees. One day, he and his father built a canal system with the leaves to collect water. He moved to Lima at the age of 25.

Shocked by the water shortages and expensive water supply that some of the city’s poorest residents were suffering, Cruz set up EI Movimiento Peruanos sin Agua in 2005. The idea was to deploy the method he learned in his hometown on a larger, better-adapted scale, which would provide free, independently sourced and easily accessible water to those who needed it most. He began installing (安装) a traditional fog catcher model developed in the 1980s. The nonprofit provided the materials for free, and the community built the infrastructure (基础设施) themselves.

At the highest point of Los Tres Miradores, there is a curious set of large structures that is like a fleet of ships in the sky. They are so-called “fog catchers”. The 40 fog catchers there provide enough water for 180 families, whether to bathe, clean, drink (after being filtered at home) or to irrigate crops on small garden patches.

Supporters believe that fog catchers have the potential to improve water supply for communities around the world amid ever-challenging conditions. German researcher Lummerich says, “They are cheap, easy to construct. In a world searching for water supply systems, it is one important approach that can make an essential difference locally. It could make the difference between having water and not having water available.” There are some issues, however. For one, fog catchers require space, which is not always easy to come by in cities. At the same time, fog catchers must be properly cleaned and maintained to stay effective. Most crucially, appropriate climate conditions are required. Fog isn’t everywhere.

When the fork was stolen off Bart Michiels’s mountain bike last summer, he wheeled it nearly three miles from his home in Chelsea to Frank’s Bike Shop on the eastern end of Grand Street.

Mr. Michiels passed many other bike shops along the way, including one that offers free coffee. But for 20 years, he has remained devoted (忠实的) to Frank’s. “Frank’s the man,” he said of Frank Arroyo, the owner. “I don’t care where he is in the city—I’ll go.”

Mr. Michiels doesn’t have to worry about Mr. Arroyo’s relocating (搬迁). The shop has stayed on the Lower East Side of Manhattan for 40 years.

After Mr. Michiels left, Marvin Priess arrived. A professor of chemistry and math, Mr. Priess wheeled in the Ross 18-speed he had bought at Frank’s in 1978 and still rides today, at age 68. Mr. Priess said that over the years, every single part of it that couldn’t be repaired had been replaced, sometimes more than once, at Frank’s. Customers don’t come for the ambience (环境). It’s crowded and dirty; buckets of parts and boxes of training wheels line the entryway.

The store is filled with about 500 bikes and you will find Mr. Arroyo, 72, six days a week. He has been in the bike business since age 14. Born and raised on the Lower East Side, he has employed and taught many young people in the neighborhood. He is also willing to repair bikes in any condition, as well as his neighbors’ walkers and wheelchairs.

English Epps, a lawyer, needed a new seat; his had been stolen. “I’ve been coming here since I was in the third grade,” he said, adding: “There’s a new bike shop on Delancey Street, but everybody comes here.”

How to Have a Successful Teenage Life

Everyone wants to succeed in their life, don’t they? Even as a teenager, you can achieve success in your life; it really isn’t that hard. 【小题1】

Do well in school. No matter how boring it is now, education will help you be a productive member in society. Try your best for excellence in school; listen to the teachers, do your homework, study, and get good grades. 【小题2】 School sets you up on the right track!

Do good in your community (社区). Volunteering can not only improve your community’s status, it could make you happier. Studies show that people who volunteer are less likely to develop depression (抑郁) than people who don’t. 【小题3】 For example, if you love animals, volunteer at an animal shelter. If you love helping the environment, plant trees or pick up litter. When you help others, it will make you feel better about yourself.

【小题4】 Remember, they’re there to help you be the best that you can be. Respect them and value their opinions, even if they annoy you sometimes. 【小题5】 You don’t get to choose your teachers or your family, but you still have to put up with them. Learn how to deal with people now, because when you’re an adult, you don’t get to choose your boss or your co-workers, so learn how to respect them now.