I felt sorry for this guy - he was so alone, not young and seemingly, all his home on his back!
He took my eye first by sitting with his feet in the gutter on the pavement! Nobody does that! He was tying his shoelaces.
Three Good Things:
1. One hopes he is happy whether he has a choice or not.
2. Only halfway through my super book.
3. In Canada where my son is - they are expecting 15cm snow! I am glad that we are here!
I like the way that he is posed under the sign which says "Tangibles". He seems to be carrying all of his tangible belongings on his back. A good photo.
I wonder what he has gone through. I made friends with a homeless man when I was in the police, I used to buy him lunch when I worked then kept him company on his bench. Turns out (and I did check it was true) he had been a very wealthy businessman, had a huge house, a wife and four children. One evening when the wife and he were out they were robbed. The man was hit over the head with a bottle, He was knocked out and woke up two weeks later. Long story short, he lost everything, he couldn't work, couldn't sleep. Wife left him, no contact with the children, no house.... our lives can change in a matter of seconds.
We have a guy who lives about a mile away from us. He lives in his own & looks very much like this only older. He always calls in for a cup of tea, exchange of small Christmas present just at this time of year. We once took a stirk back that had got in one of our fields. Anyway he was telling us he had been in the nearest town & several people tried to give him money, a sandwich thinking he was homeless. He actually has a very nice if run down farm, he always puts them right. He’s an odd chap, never has heating on, lives off tinned food out of tin!
An image which tells a sad story! It seems to be a problem all over the world. At least it’s a little warmer where you are at the moment unlike here where it is going to be a very frosty night. We should never judge as who knows what their stories are?
What a great image for making one sit back and ponder all sorts of things MM. Thanks for sharing, it's so important to think more about how other people are faring. So many homeless in our rich countries, our systems have let them down.
@maggiemae That's great MM. We have some homeless people here in Geelong, including some living in cars. The people change, but there's often one or two living in their cars parked at the edges of the park where I walk Maggie. The local charities do their best, but, as ever, lack resources.
@bankmann I never put that together, Mr B! But now, it is rather apt in spite of it being a gift shop where he would never enter! Unless he was a millionaire in disguise!
Maybe he is just a lonesome backpacker. His camping kit looks quite good and his shoes don't look like those of a homeless person. There are quite a few homeless people in Newcastle and most of them wear odd shoes. One chap who we see regularly in the city centre wears one boot and one tennis shoe.
So sad to see people, especially those advanced in age, on the streets without anywhere to shelter their heads, especially at night. I hate the stark reality of life where a few are millionaires while others are tramps having to beg for their food every day.
There are so many nuances to this issue but this fellow's gear does seem to be in very good shape so there's definitely more to his story than what the surface exposes. Not to say that this chap is doing so, but here in the States it has become quite fashionable to tug on people's heartstrings by appearing homeless and begging for food and money. I too like the addition of the sign in this shot- it really stands out and makes the story more interesting. Great shot!
@olivetreeann Believe it or not,... I saw him again today... same fellow, same clothes .. but he carried a stylish umbrella and didn't have his back pack with him! The thot plickens!
@seattlite@golftragic - an update! I saw him again today, not expecting to, and he was striding along with no backpack, same clothes but stylish umbrella! I think he's a spy!
@beryl now you know
Such a sad n shot Maggiemae, and such sights on the increase I fear