New to the world of microwaves and glass top stoves, I have officially broken the microwave. Then today when I moved a pan of mac 'n cheese off the stove I placed the lid to a tub of butter on the still hot burner. I didn't notice until it started to smell. Even with all windows open the stink was overwhelming and I lost my appetite. As I sat outside on my steps I noticed a young guy digging in the back dumpster, so I shouted down and offered him lunch.
Since I arrived in Austin I've wondered about the numerous beggars who seem to have their own community. Mostly young people, they beg in groups, sometimes play guitar between requests of "Spare a smoke?" They combine change to buy one can of beer at 7-Eleven. They are a jolly crew of hippy homeless. They make the Chicago bums look corporate. And my favorite Chicago bum would proudly show me his crack rock, whereas these guys are smoking reefer or just drinking.
Anyway, Max has been train-hopping since 14. For some time he had a government house in New Orleans, until Katrina hit and he went on the road again. Many of the beggars in Austin travel in groups, and he sees them in other parts of the country as they do contract construction, farming, or the traditional cup-rattling. The only relative he has alive is a jewish grandmother in northern Texas, and she's not so keen on him paying visits. He mentioned the idea of going to Israel, I mentioned that all Jews are entitled to a free trip there if they have never been before. Finally, my useless knowledge put to use.
New vocab: Rainbow Kids (ok, I already knew this one) are hippy homeless, mostly travel around the country, lots of couch hopping/camping/pot/other drugs.
Punk bums are punk, travel, mostly drink, some drugs.
Train Hoppers, mostly alcoholics.
Home Bums, homeless who stay in one place year round. They tend to be older.
There is a Yiddish word, beschert, or meant to be. Maybe I was meant to melt plastic, ruin my appetite, share my lunch, learn new street terms, and send a guy to Israel today. And as I am still struggling to meet people, he did me the favor of providing today's human interaction.
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