Being Home-less vs BEing Homeless

Ok, it’s time for me to make a distinction about my trip. When I explain to people what I’m doing, they often have this view of me as a homeless man. You know, like I’m going to be sleeping outside, showering infrequently, and scouring the dumpster for my meals.

I can understand why people think that, because most people we see hitch hiking might fit that description. So, when I say that I’m going hitchhiking around the country, it’s normal for people to associate my experience with their existing views of hitchhiking.

However, I do not plan on living like a stereotypical homeless person. It’s true that I will be homeless, but I won’t be living the homeless lifestyle. I will be sleeping indoors at different people’s homes on my trip. I plan to never sleep outside, unless it’s great weather and I decide to sleep on the beach or something for fun. I’ll eat normal food, and I won’t be scrounging around looking for food in dumpsters. Also, I’ll take a shower every single day, and I’ll be dressed normal and be clean-shaven every day. So, if you think I’m going to grow out a beard, put my possessions in a shopping cart, and have plastic bags that I put all my stuff in, you’re wrong.

I think this perception that people have also translates over into their concern that I’m going to get mugged and what not. Just because I’m homeless, doesn’t mean I’m going to go walking around the slums of the city. No, I’d rather like to avoid the trashy places, because getting robbed doesn’t sound like it would be that fun. I’m still going to be very practical-minded, and I’m not going to put myself in awkward situations or places. So, no, I’m not going to go hang out in East LA or wherever.

Since the purpose of this trip is to find out what I’d like to do with my life, what kind of people do you think I would like to hang out with? Well, I would like to explore jobs that I have an interest in and that seem like I might enjoy them. That means, I’ll be jobshadowing educated people in well-respected occupations. No, I’m not going to go with somebody to McDonalds and see how flipping burgers really is.

Now, I know that some of you might be thinking that I can have all the hope in the world, but that I still need to prepare myself for whatever situation I can find myself in. I agree, to a small extent. I think if I accept certain situations as options, like, sleeping outside, then I will find myself sleeping outside once in a while. But, if I refuse to accept that as an option, then I will never do it. I will be in complete control of what I do on this trip, based upon what I’m willing to do. Maybe it’s more fun to picture me as a smelly, dirty homeless person. Sorry folks, it’s not gonna happen.

Potential Dangers?

When I tell people about my trip, I get a variety of different reactions. But, one common concern that people have is how safe it is to hitch hike and live with random people I don’t know that well. The most common stated dangers are: I could get raped, robbed, or killed. Well, I’m going to confront those specific dangers in this post.

First off, I want to direct you to a blog I found about a guy who documents his trip hitchhiking across america. Now, his blog is pretty interesting and he definitely has some interesting adventures. But, I’d like to quote him on this topic of dangers to be faced:

“They say hitchhiking is dangerous. Everyone said I’d get robbed, raped and killed. I paid no attention. I figured America’s paranoid, and hitchhiking is safe. You can’t have an adventure nowadays without someone saying you’ll get robbed, raped and killed.”

Now he goes on to say that he NEARLY got raped and killed, but that’s because he thought hanging out with an ex-convict would be good company to have. Anyway, I agree with him that people are pretty paranoid about the dangers that exist, and lots of the fears people have are completely irrational and ridiculous. So, let’s talk about them one by one.

Rape: Now, this is the most ridiculous fear of them all. It hardly even needs discussing. But, I’m pretty sure I can hold my own on this one. If I ever get into an awkward situation, I’ll use my Ninja skills. No worry.

Murder: This one cracks me up. It’s like people think there are mass murderers that just drive down the highway looking for people to kill just for the shear pleasure of it. Seriously? Maybe we need to stop watching so many movies. The only reason I would get killed is if somebody has a motive for doing it. I don’t have money. I don’t have wealthy parents. I’m not from some famous family. So, the only motive somebody might have is if I’m an eyewitness to something. I’ll guess I’ll keep my eyes half closed the whole time, just in case. Trust me when I say that I was in a lot more danger as a missionary then I’ll be on this trip. I have the wits to avoid the kind of places I sought out on my mission. No more likely to die on this trip than I am every day as I drive in my car.

Robbery: Ok, now this is a legitimate concern. I could definitely get robbed on this trip. I won’t have that much, but, I know I could still get robbed. So, here’s my game plan if it does happen:

1. Try to smooth talk the robber out of it. I think even robbers would get excited about my trip and want to help me out. Hopefully at this point I’ll have made a bunch of money on the streets, so maybe I can offer to teach them some of my tricks. I’m not planning on a high probability of success with this one.

2. If that doesn’t work, I’ll have to get away. So, this will entail a quick kick to the man’s pride and joy, or maybe some mace in the face. I’ve already had some offers of friends to buy me a can of pepper spray. They say they’ll feel better about it if I’m armed.

3. If I do get robbed, no worries. I won’t really have that much stuff anyway. Then, I’ll just rely on the kindness of people around me to help me get what I need to finish my journey. I’m sure it will all work out.

Now, I doubt anybody is going away with this blog relieved from the worries they had for my physical safety. However, maybe you can see how ridiculous and unlikely the possible dangers are. I’ll be fine, and I’m sure I’ll come away from this trip with a renewed perspective on how good most of the people in this world really are.