I love hanging out in down town Columbia.
There's always something to do, or some where to go; and it's not a city that tries to "glamorous" or "sparkely," it is what is. At first glace most people would say it appears "un-groomed," and old, or maybe trashy, but I see it as personality, and genuine character (not to say that it's always good, but at least you know what your getting). But anyways, this past weekend i got a ride downtown with a friend to see a concert, but after the concert I just kind of roamed from place to place in a vagabond sort of manner, so for the majority of the weekend i was living out of my backpack, and relaying on other people for rides. Well sunday i found myself in five points. I thought i had plans to meet someone ells there (ie. someone with a car) but the plans fell through, so i was alone in five pts. with out transportation. For a while i contiplated differnet thoughts of what i might do. I could get somthing to eat, explore some of the shops, go off on a photography tangent, but ultimatly i decided to start walking to church. I go to midtown; so for those of you who don't know about midtown, they meet in the state museum in the vista. I was in five points. Im not sure exactly how long of a walk that is, but i'd say two or three miles. What i didn't consider is my appearance in context of my culture. Most residents local to the five points area would most likely describe me as a "white, little, rich-boy." Completly ignorant to this fact i embarked on my walk.
The first person i met approached me along the strip of buildings contianing stores such as hipwaze, and f-stop. He was a black boy; about my age, and coulden't have been older than 19. He wore a large, tattered shirt that was one a natural red, but soaked crimson by sweat. Edward was his name. "Excuse me sir, dont mean to bother you none, but how are you doin today?" he said to me. I'm pretty used to homeless people approaching me, but never while i was completly alone, and with out a set agenda. So without anything ells to do i just started talking to him. He explained that he was hungy, and homeless, and assured my multiple times over that he didn't do drugs. I was intested, so i asked him to walk with me and offered to buy him some subway. Midtown does a lot with homless people, and i've wanted to do my part but am never really in a "position" to help (which could also mean that I am so selfishly blind, i just naturally hold my personal scedual as an un-movable oblogation). But now i had a chance to just try to love on someone. Granted i was a little nervous being alone. But, he declined the subway and suggested that getting groceries from food lion would help him more. So i blindly followed, genuinly hoping to be able to get him some food. Walking into the food lion i oberved a female police officer at the front of the store who at first gave us no notice. As we were about to decend down the first isle, she saw us and quickly approached us and explained that we had to leave. I was confused so inquired as to why. She replied "this man is not welcome here, and if your with him neither are you, and if he didn't tell you that, well more shame on him." Still unsure or why, I simply accepted her authority and we left. He later explained to me that he had stolen somthing from the store was was hence forwth banished (not his words, i just like old phrases). This didn't really phase me much, i didn't care what he had done in the past, I've done stupid stuff before. And especially didn't care, because that was probibly the only way he could eat at that time; at that point is isn't stealing, its survival. He explained to me that there was some other place he could buy some food. I was hesitant to just give him cash for obvious reasons, but what he does with his money is up to him. The money i have, I have because God has given it to me, so i wasent going to selfishily denin this man the potencial of food for a week because i may use if for somting ells. In any case, i was much better off than he was so who am i to hoard God's gift all to myself. (ha, psh what i always do) but in this case my heart was moved to give. I gave him twenty bucks. As soon as i handed him the money another man joined us.
Frankie was old. He had an enormous overbite sourrounded by prickly white scruff. At times it was hard to understand what he was saying, like he had acorns in his mouth, and only half try to form full words with his mouth. After talking to Frankie for about a miniuet or so i noticed that Edward was gone. Where, i don't know. I don't know if he went to get food, or to buy his addiciton. But he promised me he would go to midtown with me someday, so i'll find him. Still standing in front of food lion, and havent walked any significant distanec, i also invited him to walk with me to midtown. He politly diclinded but agreed to walk as far as Gervais street with me. I still haden't eaten anything, so i again invited him to subway with me, he also declined the offer. He told me that all he wanted was some "sol foo. " Translated means "soul-food." I asked him aobut this thinking soul food must taste pretty good, but learned that it was a soup kitchen about five miles away. When we reached Gervais street I gave him five dollars, probily enough food for a couple days at this Soul Food Kitchen, took a quick picture to remember him by, and we went our seperate ways. Frankie also promised that he would attend midtown with me someday, and i'll hold him to that as well. Alone now i pressed on to midtown, hoping to get there on time.
Next come the crazy part. Note i am still a "small, lil, white boy" with a camera in hand, and a backpack. At the corner of Gervais street and what ever that street is that leads into five pts. there sate to black men. This particular stretch of road is very poor, very run down, and very deserted save but the "locals." These men would cirtainly fit 50 cent's deffinition of a thug. Big black dudes wearing wife beaters, Not doin nothin, just chillin by an old gas station. I thought as long as i didn't look at them they would leave me alone. Wrong. "Hey boi! Come ova hea!" one of the men shouted at me. I tried to ignore them. "Boi, Im talkin to you, get ova hea, or i put a bullet in yo head!" he agian shouted at me, this time with a new furry. This scared me. I was by my self, and not really in an area where many people go. I had a pocket knife on me, but i sure as heck didn't want it to come to that. So I mustered a bit of courage, and smiled real big at the man. " No man, sorry brother i'd love to hang but i've got to get to church." I said it cofidently and as much authority i dared with this man. At that he also smiled "alright man, catch you later." That could be good, or it could actually mean he was going to CATCH me later. So i quickly booked it out of there, every now and then looking over my shoulder to make sure i was alone.
Our city. I had the rest of the two miles left to process all my recent going-ons. It was a good time for me. Everyone knows thugs and homelss people live everywhere. Its no big deal. But have we ever taken the time to be among them. Every time i go some where i get in the car, windows up, music loud, sealed away from the world. I live in a buble. I have no idea what some people go through. I thought, "wow that was a crazy experience!" I LIVED THOUGH IT ONCE! The homeless live that EVERYDAY! I have no idea what thats like. Those bullet cappin thugs by the gas station are their home. That street i walk along is their carpet. A dumpster at the end of an alley way, their room. I dont know what thats like. I was talking to another homless guy at midtown telling him a little about my wak and he just smiled and said, "heh, yeah, wait till it gets dark man, whole nother world." I can't imagine! That night at midtown i worshiped like i haden't worshiped in months. Dustin talked about missionaries choosing obediance over comfort and saftey. I've heard that before, but this time i really HEARD it. I got a peep hole of a glimps of what that means. For the rest of my walk i imagined myself as a homless person. Just walking to midown. All i owned was what was in my back pack. The people passing me in their cars going 45 mps look forign and untouchable. I was alone. But what a wonderful experiance. I am so thankful that God allowed me to go on my little walk. It was well worth the twenty five dollars and soar feet. How many people have no idea what i am talking about. How many people can hear a story like this. But how many people actually know. I don't even know. My experience is like looking at the cover of a book i dare not open. But guess what. We're called to read the whole thing! I am terrified, comfored, and exited all in one. I hope to take some more walks soon.
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