My current smell + Rain = something TERRIBLY smelly!!!!
I was given taxi fair to go to the 100 hour Music Marathon at the Waterfront. I walked through a lot of rain before that. Then i had to sit next to people, making very close contact, on public transport. I felt sorry for them but also felt pretty ashamed. I mean, i know why i am doing this, so it didn't get to my "core being" or anything, but i just imagined how it would be for someone in my position, yet this "position" being their constant reality. I got to the marathon only to find out it was rained out but it wasn't all loss because they had left over KFC that i was able to bring back to town for the guys, which also worked out good because i promised the kids on Long Street i would "sort something out for them later" because they gave me an apple and some chips this morning. So, on the bus on the way back to town, i had my big plastic sack of obviously donated food, and there was some guy that actually made fun of me! On the way in and the way out of the bus. People are truly amazing! I treasure these experiences because they allow an understanding that cannot be obtained by mere observation, reading, hearsay, or even a story straight from the horse's mouth; to really feel and understand it, you have to experience it! It was not cool to be me in that moment, but this "me" only lasts for 16 days; whilst others live under this kind of treatment on a daily basis.
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"I treasure these experiences because they allow an understanding that cannot be obtained by mere observation, reading, hear say, or even a story straight from the horses mouth; to really feel and understand it, you have to experience it!"
That spoke to me. THanks.
This is so true - actual experience gives an understanding that otherwise cannot be had. In poverty and homelessness class (part of my religion minor) we were dropped off by our professor with only our clothes to spend the night at a homeless shelter in Louisville, KY. It was only one night, so I could skip out on the nasty food that was served because I knew that within 48 hours, I could go buy whatever food I wanted. Many of my fellow shelter folks ate heartily, as that was the only choice! That was their reality of food. I think a lot of times folks who haven't had anything like that experience think "Oh, they're not trying hard enough...they could work, they just choose not to..." Spending that time there made me understand how easy it is for these folks who have met hard times to get bogged down in a cycle of depression and hopelessness.
Your story is fascinating. Thanks for sharing on a day-to-day basis.
-rebecca huddleston
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