February 21, 2021

My February entry 2021 is going to talk about homelessness! Having lived in SoCal for more than six years now, witnessing homelessness is not a new thing. However, living in SoCal during a pandemic has immensely increased the number of homeless people. In September, I read an article in the LA Times that stated that 2020 had already seen the same number of dead homeless people as in 2019! And we still had three months left! This high number was not because all the homeless all of a sudden were dying of Covid – no – it was because suddenly there were so many more homeless people than pre-Covid!

When I came to Venice for the first time in 2014, I stayed with my two Spanish friends and drove out to the University of California, Riverside, twice to visit the school and convince them to choose me as one of their next graduate students! It was the weekend of the Super Bowl, and we had been out partying all day. The following day we all had the munchies and went to a restaurant where we ordered a lot of food. We ate embarrassingly little, and we were asked if we wanted it to go. We all looked at each other; we were all going to be busy the next day, and would not be able to eat it, so we politely declined! We walked away from the restaurant, and just behind it on our way to the car, three homeless people lay there sleeping, and one of my friends and I just eyed each other with the same regretting look of: oh Damn, why did we not take the food to go! That was the last time I ever did not take food to go! Have I sometimes almost had to hunt down a homeless to get rid of the scraps? Sure, but it has been worthwhile. I hope!

I am technically not homeless: I have a home; that is, I have a room and live there at the mercy of a generous soul. But like so many others, I am affected by the pandemic. Now, 1.5 years since I graduated, I have not been able to land a full-time permanent job anywhere! I live from month to month, something I thought would end, if not right after, then soon after graduation. For several years, while a graduate student, I lived with the constant stress of whether I would receive another teaching assistant gig or not. This was not only to earn a bit of money but, more importantly, to cover my tuition – which in my case would be double up as an international student! It was immensely stressful, and I wish I could go back and tell my younger self: things will work out – you will get the TAships you need, and you will graduate on time. Now, I am looking forward to the day where my future self will write a similar blog saying that I wish I could go back to myself, Catharina, upon graduating and tell myself, that don’t worry, you will land a job one day, and you will be able to move out from the room where you live on top of somebody else’s stuff, not really having anything of my own, and entirely at the humanity of a gracious almost 80-year-old German woman. I have lived there for almost three years now, or is it 4 – I seem to forget! Pre-pandemic, it worked out well, as she would be out for 3-5 weeks, I would be out for 2-4 months, so we were not up and down each other every day like we now have been forced to during the lockdown. However, I am grateful I have a roof over my head.

Currently, I am housesitting for a friend in Santa Monica, which is wonderful. I brought some boxes from storage containing most of my kitchen stuff! For some obscure reason, what I long for is a bit of my own! I have my bedding, duvet, and pillow; I have my own plates, teapot, and cups, among other things. I have space and move around as I please when I please — having days where I do not see or talk to anybody is an absolute salvation right now for an introverted, mentally exhausted ‘unemployed,’ frustrated foreigner living in SoCal.

I miss my walks in the Canyon in Riverside. I have been going almost every day since the end of October. That was when the heater was turned off at the pool, and it got too cold to get in. The Canyon is my sanctuary. A regular round takes about 90 min, but I always take a pit-stop somewhere half-way, and I can sit there for anywhere from 10 min to 2 hours. Sometimes I bring books, or something to crochet on, or my iPad. Most of the time, I walk around listening to audiobooks, sometimes music, sometimes facetime or regular phone calls, and sometimes, silence – but with my headphones in to signal to the world to leave me alone!

Walking around Santa Monica, here on the border of Venice, is not quite the same experience as my Canyon! Not only are there a lot of homeless, but a lot of homeless with mental health problems. This troubles me very much, and I cannot figure out what I can do to help. On Rose Street, all of the people who had dared camp out up against the fence leading into the Golf Course, have been removed: “Another Neighborhood Improvement Project,” a sign nicely reads!!! Yeah right. Perhaps the improvement needed would be to open up the Golf Course and allow the people who are homeless DURING A PANDEMIC – to camp in there! The “wealthier” homeless who have access to RV’s have instead occupied the other side of the street. I guess that does not bother the golfer’s as much, or perhaps they just haven’t been able to do anything about it. Yet.

It breaks my heart to witness the selfishness of people. As I am struggling to figure out what will happen in my own life, I am pondering what life may have to offer. Do we have agency? How much of it is based on our choices vs. pure serendipity vs. the decisions of others. – I truly hope that I get a job that allows me to help make a difference! In addition to giving the homeless some food scraps I have leftover ever so often, and certainly less frequently since lockdown, I give them money when I can. In Santa Monica in December, I was on the Pier waiting for some food I had ordered when a rather scrawny-looking young man came over and asked me for money for a meal. I handed him ten bucks, and he made a little show of walking up to the counter to see what he would like to order before he simply walked off! I assume the ten bucks can be more wisely spent off the Pier! People who know me know I am a sucker for animals, and as I was roaming around the streets of Santa Monica, a man with two dogs both wearing sunglasses had a sign reading: 3 Hungry Broke Muds. - and I had to take a picture and then handed him five bucks.

It reminded me of John, a 'homeless' guy with an RV here in Riverside. John has a music degree, and he always plays the trumpet downtown. Particularly on weekends and holidays, but you can also find him on a regular Thursday. Over the years, I have always stopped by to listen to his music, ask how he is doing, and pet Blackie, his dog who also wears sunglasses, and often will "sing-along" to John's tunes. Actually, on the day of my defense for my dissertation. I went out for dinner with Monika, Ron, and uncle Doug, but we ended early, and I dropped Doug off at the hotel. When I got home and the evening was still young, I texted him and asked if he wanted me to come back and hang out for a while. Sure. I drove back downtown. We talked for about an hour, but then he had to sleep as he had an early flight to catch. For me - it was HIGH on having received my doctorate - but nobody to talk to! So, I decided to just roam around downtown Riverside for a little while longer, and that was when I again ran into John. We talked a bit. He told me it was time to move locations and that he also had to move his RV. I helped him with his stuff and walked with him to his RV. He really only had to move it one block over, so we agreed to meet on the next street. I waited for him there and hoped he would come early enough as there was a free parking spot right on the corner. He did make it, and he set up his little music station, and we just hung out and chatted. I was just thrilled to have a 'friend' to talk to on this momentous day in my life! After 1.5 hours, I finally felt like heading home and get some sleep, so we became friends on Facebook. We don't communicate regularly, and due to lockdown, I did not see him at all in 2020, but for his birthday, he was doing a fundraiser thing on Facebook for a local animal shelter, so of course, I chipped in.

I want to share a story with you that I wrote back in 2018. On August 1st, I went to a concert at the Greek Theater with a friend who had gotten us two rooms at the Roosevelt Hotel! I was ecstatic! A night in Hollywood. While he retired after the show, I 1. I had leftover food from dinner I still needed to give to a homeless, 2. I was NOT ready to sleep! So – I went outside the hotel and right away encountered the first homeless person whom I ended up spending the next 30 min talking to after giving him the food. When I got back to my room, I got out my computer and wrote down what had transpired. In the story from August 1st from Hollywood, I refer to an experience from April 1st, 2018, which I had scribbled down on my phone as I was riding the metro in Chicago. That story you can read below the Hollywood story. Both are included below.

Journal Entry: August 1, 2018 at Midnight: Meeting Roy

Over the last 4-5 years, I have had this urge to write stories! My stories… other people’s stories… just stories I see and experience out and about! In April I had a curious experience overhearing and partly participating in an exchange with two-three homeless people on the subway in Chicago. I wrote it down on my phone. I will have to dig it out some other time [I dug out the story – you can read it below this one]

I just had a wonderfully strange experience. Allow me to begin with an introduction: I started teaching Monday – two classes, both upper division: Intro to Political anthro and intro to Medical anthro. Great classes, but as it is first time I am teaching them, it is taking up a lot of my wake hours, speculating on what to do next! I had gotten this idea for a medical anthropological cookbook project late last night. I sent myself a few texts to remind myself in the morning. Even though the alarm was set for 7 am, I have woken up around 6-6:30 the last days (too much on my mind!). I began to read about the constitution and some of the amendments to plan what to do next week with my political class! Ok. I got that figured out! Finally, a little past 7 am, it was time to get up, and I went for a swim. Today I actually swam for 25 minutes, which is the longest I have done since I took up swimming in the community pool 10 days ago! So – I guess that is an improvement, or maybe I was just too preoccupied with my ideas for the cookbook, as while I was swimming, I finished planning my cookbook project! Back at the house, it got ready to head to campus. Usually I bike, but today I had to drive, as I was going straight to LA after school to meet up with uncle Doug.

While at school I finished planning today and tomorrows classes, as time will be limited tomorrow morning, when I will be driving back from LA! During my lunch break I facetimed with my younger sister. We have talked almost every day for the last ten days which has been really nice. If only it hadn’t started due to sad circumstances! My stepdad has lung cancer (all over the lungs! It does not look good!) [he died ten days later!]. After lunch I taught my classes! In medical class I introduced my cookbook project which was received with much enthusiasm. I do not know if they indulged me since I am the professor, or if they really were interested. Anyhow, as I walked to the car, I ran into my advisor and we exchanged a few words. I love my advisor! I am so lucky he picked me!

It took me two whole hours to drive into LA! Damn traffic! But it gave me a chance to listen to Joe Bonamasa, who I was about to see live with uncle Doug. I had left campus at 3:40 pm, and I drove up to Hotel Roosevelt at 5:40 pm! We went to a Thai place closer to the Greek Theater. Ate our food, but had a lot of leftovers – as everybody who lives in SoCal should know, there is most likely a homeless person just around the corner. So, if the food is still decent, then you should always take it to go. No exception today. Only, I did not meet any homeless person! We drove up to the Greek, parked, and went to see this amazing concert. Wonderful music. Amazing musicians. I had a great time. I had during dinner given Doug his birthday present. He had turned 70 late June, but I hadn’t seen him since! Which had given me time to finish a scarf I had crocheted for him. I had learned how to crochet while I was back in Denmark in early June. So, I am by no means a specialist, but I was happy to actually have finished something: and I Wanted to give it to Doug. I had also gotten him a Royal Copenhagen plate with the school ship – as he loves boats! I was very relieved to see that he actually wore the scarf! You never know with homemade presents how people react! But he wore it all night! I must add that that scarf took me a VERY long time to make!

As we left the Greek, they made us take the back roads back down: oh, the view of Los Angeles after dark. Makes my heart skip a beat! While I was incredibly tired, I was just in such a good mood, so as we got back to the hotel, Doug was ready to retire to his room. On our way to the room, we stopped and looked at many of the photographs of pictures of famous people including one with Marlon Brando. We parted, and I went to my room, but, NO WAY, I was NOT about to go to bed! I was feeling so excited: HOLLYWOOD after dark, and I am staying here. I may have lived in Riverside/LA/SoCal for four years now, but in my heart, I will forever be an ecstatic tourist, and I felt the need to get back outside – not least just to see if I could find somebody who would be interested in some food!!! Which right now I kind of wish I had kept as I am starting to feel hungry! I am glad I did not keep it as I otherwise would not be able to tell the story I have been building up to in a minute.

So, I as I was ready to head out, I used the ladies room, double check the mirror, and put 25 dollars in my bra, one key card in the other side of the bra, and one key card in my pocket, and then my phone in the other pocket. I walked down to the historical lobby... oh it is beautiful. I try to orient myself – ok, Hollywood Blvd. that way… I went out through the doors; I did not make it 10 steps before there was a homeless guy. I walked over to him and before I got to ask if he was interested in some food, he asked: will you give me one dollar if you can solve the puzzle! Ehhh... I look at the four bricks on the ground in front of him – and said – could I offer you some food instead. He looked at me in surprise but replied: why not. He then still offered that I took a look at the puzzle, and I agreed! Four flat pieces with a cow wearing a chef’s hat! Ehm… I had no clue what to do with those pieces. I tried different ways. Nope, no luck! Sorry man, I cannot do this puzzle. Can you show me how to do it? So, he started. It took him some time too to figure out where to start! Suddenly he laughed and said OH NO, I have lost one piece. And I said, oh where is it! And he said, I don’t know. I always carry it here in my pocket. And I said that I am very sorry that he had lost the last piece. And then we laughed! I had been struggling with awkwardly kneeling down and as it started to hurt my legs, I straightened back up, but then I felt bad that I felt I was looking down on him, so I confessed that my legs hurt, and then he got up.

He said that I was wonderful because I had wanted to even talk to him. And I said do not worry, I enjoy this very much! Then he got emotional and said, “I just get so lonely” to which I could add, “oh I know, so do I.” Inside I was thinking – funny how much humans have in common (the other day I was reading about how many elder Japanese people commit petty crimes to go to jail, so they do not have to be lonely in their old age!) – loneliness is so universal! I tried to apologize, and express that I had not meant to make him upset. He said I didn’t make him upset. But that he made himself upset. He introduced himself, and said his name is Roy. I said my name was Cat, he asked K A T, no, C A T I replied, as in Catharina. Oh ok. Then he told me how he had lost his wife and daughter within the last two years. I expressed my deepest condolences! He showed me a tattoo on his wrist that was a tribute to his late wife.

She had had insomnia. She had lived back in Washington (I believe DC!), Roy himself was from Brooklyn. She had gotten some pills to help her sleep, which had resulted in her drowning in the bathtub! Very tragic story, and furthermore, their daughter had died at 2 years old from congested heart failure! Then he showed me some of his other tattoos (he was only wearing shorts, and his upper body and most of his face was covered with ink. His tongue was split, and his ears dilated, so he must have had some piercings too at one point. He happily showed me his Metallica tattoo and said that he was a big fan, so I pulled up my sleeve and showed him my Slash hat tattoo and added that I am a big GNR fan. He said he was a huge GNR fan, to which I expressed, well not enough to get it tattooed. And then we both laughed. He asked if I could find his other Metallica tattoo... I walked around him, but I couldn’t spot it. I said, well hopefully it isn’t anywhere inappropriate. To this he seemed stunned, and said, oh no, I would never have suggested that, that would be rude. And I said, oh no, I know, I am sorry… and then we fist pumped, three times for luck, and he showed me the other Metallica tattoo on his left arm, hidden among other tattoos.

I told him that I had once met Jimmy Hendrix here on Hollywood Blvd. He looked at me in disbelief. WHAT! You are not that old! And I said, well he sure looked like Hendrix, and he looked at me with a cheeky grin, and said, wait, you saw an impersonator... and then we both laughed again! I asked why the Eddie Murphy star – and he looked down – eh, oh I hadn’t even noticed!

He asked where I lived. In Riverside. He said: Oh that is south, and I said, no it is directly east, towards San Diego! Now, I think the tiredness was setting in, as I have no idea where that came from clearly San Diego is not straight east! Roy just looked at me and said, that is south, and then we both laughed, and I tried to say, “no, I mean Arizona!!!! – but too late, and we agreed it was a Freudian slip – and I am certain that Roy still thinks I live in some Riverside to the south… and then we laughed some more...

Roy would take turns getting emotional and expressing that there was a possibility that he now loved me (I needed to be careful, as I neither intended to make him sad nor hurt). I said that it was nice and that it is good to meet people. People come into our lives for various reasons. We just have to make the most of it. Then we returned to talking about music, and I told him I had seen Joe Bonamasa that night at the Greek. No way, that made him laugh as well! I showed him a clip on my phone, and he said he played the guitar as well, but that his belongings were with a friend – his ‘brother’ back at Marina del Rey – he was only in Hollywood twice a week! He told me about some friends he has, like the singer from a band called Ratt, which I must check out sometime! I asked if he jammed with them. Then he got silent again. He started to say, “No, I can’t…” but got interrupted by five very noisy motorcycles speeding by! He said “I hate those loud vehicles!” then he looked at me! “oh, now I lost my train of thought!” I said “you said you cannot play because…” and he said, “oh, no I can play, but not in front of an audience! I am not well anymore. I have these scars” – and he pointed at his stomach. Ay, yes, they looked bad. I asked what had happened.

He told me that he had been a Marine and started standing up straight and saluted me. Then he recited some numbers, which I assume was his number in the military… I do not recall the numbers. I asked where he had been, he had been in Afghanistan from 1988-1993, And then additionally spent one year in the army trying to recover from his wounds he had gotten when they got blasted and all his companions (I forgot the word he used) had been killed! I asked in a sarcastic tone, how the US had repaid him for his services… he just looked at me! He said, well, they didn’t. He said the world needs a smart man and a smart woman. I immediately thought of the White House resident, and said, “well we don’t have a smart guy right now,” to this he replied “hey, I am not so unsmart” and I looked at him, and said “oh no, sorry, I didn’t mean you… I meant the president!” and then we both laughed and he made some hand gesture over his chest. “yes, you are right, nobody likes him. I don’t understand who likes him.” We agreed, and exchanged another round of fist pumps…

I got so caught up in the stories and laughing with Roy. I am very saddened by this tragic fate of people like Roy, and I am grateful I got this experience talking to him. At one point I realized that I would not make it out for a walk around Hollywood – which was probably for the best anyways – but I should get back inside and go to bed! – little did I know I would then stay up for another 1½ hour writing down the story! But the story with Roy is not over…

As I told Roy that it was time for me to head back inside, he looked at me with affection. He said I had touched his heart. I was thinking of what I could possibly do to help him! He asked me for my phone number. I was thinking about that twice! I wasn’t sure sharing my number with him would be a good idea. I asked him if I could give him my email. He sort of looked at me as if he barely knew what an email was, and I asked do you use email. He said no – I asked if he had a phone, and he said no… ok…. I asked if he had something to write on and with, and he looked down at himself, nope, just a lighter and a watch in his pocket, and the four pieces of the incomplete cow puzzle!

He walked over to three young men who had been five feet from us this whole time. I am not sure if they were observing us. Roy had walked over and asked for a pen, but they did not have a pen! I decided to walk over and joined the conversation. Roy looked at me, and somewhat ashamed said that he was sad to so unprepared by not carrying a pen, and I joked and said that he mustn’t have been a boy scout… and then we laughed again. One of the three guys then said, oh wait you mean an actual pen, I thought you mean something you could smoke! No, I do not have a pen, but I have a pencil. Oh… success… now we just needed something to write on! I looked for a receipt in my phone case. Found one, took it out, only to find that it was my latest receipt with how much money I had in my bank account; broke as I might be I surely had more than him, and I didn’t feel the need to share this information with him. Still no luck with paper though, so I tore off one end of it that contained no numbers.. I wrote my first name, my email – just in case! – and then... time to make a decision… I hate lies, but I also felt uncertain about sharing my number. I wrote my number, but changed the last 8 into a 3, I felt bad! But I figured, if it is meant to be, he will try both 3 and 8! And I did give the right email! We shall see what happens… he was now packing up his backpack, and I got my 25 dollars out of my bra while he was looking away… I decided that he needs them more than me – although I am curious as to what he might spend them on – not that that is any of my business, but I am intrigued, as he had mentioned that he wanted more tattoos on his face, so people would be scared of him. I had tried to assure him that nobody would be scared of him as he had such a great smile. He had said, next time you won’t recognize me: I want a glow in the dark tattoo of a skull on my face!

I figured now was the time to leave. I walked over and gave the pencil back to the guy. Next time I turned around, they were gone. I handed Roy the note with my info (almost true info! Sigh!) wrapped in the 25 dollars, and he looked and me and said, “oh but you don’t have to give me any money, and I said I know, and you didn’t ask for it, but I would still like you to have it, not least now that your puzzle is ruined.” Then he got emotional again and touched his heart and tried to express what a beautiful person I was.

I asked if in return could ask for a picture (this made me feel uncomfortable, as I didn’t want to seem like I wanted to expose him, or only had talked to him for superficial reasons!) but he got up, and took his hat off, I said, that I liked it better with the hat, so he put it back on, but made it almost covered his eyes, I told him I wanted to see his eyes, and then he looked sad, and I said he shouldn’t be sad, as I would rather like to see his wonderful smile. And then he smiled! A beautiful smile. I gave him my hand to shake it and say goodbye. He held it. I felt bad! I went for a hug – we all need hugs. He had mentioned that he thought maybe I could be his new love – which made me think of how I earlier today had said out loud – please let me find somebody to love and who loves me in return. You really need to be careful what you wish for! The universe is listening, and it has a wicked sense of humor… I was thinking that Roy is just like me – looking for that special someone that well cheer you up, keep you safe, and be able to put their arms around you when you need it. I hugged Roy. He hugged me back – he squeezed the air out of me! He let go. I looked at him… I turned and walked away… I turned back, waved, and walked inside! Goodbye Roy…

Journal Entry: Story from Chicago Sunday April 1, 2018

It is Easter Sunday and not an April's Fool! In Chicago on the red line from Bryn Mawr. A middle-aged couple boarded the train I was on, carrying what seemed to be all of their belongings. They did not look too scrappy, but they did have a vibe around them, indicating they were living rough. Moreover - neither of them seemed to have any teeth. However, both seemed like delightful people and appeared truly happy.

They somewhat blocked the doors with their big bag, so a fellow subway rider, whom it turned out, had previously helped them get onto the train, suggested they move their stuff to the niche close to the end of the cart door. The man was a bit hesitant but did it and politely smiled. The other guy also appeared to be homeless, but he was very familiar with Chicago, unlike the couple. He talked to them and gave them advice. He even handed them a snack after he asked if they had eaten anything yet this morning. The woman who was carrying a handbag, a plastic bag with snacks (possibly empty packages), and a two-liter cola bottle (half full!) responded with a "not yet." He handed her a bar of sorts. She wanted to hand it to her partner, who stood by the niche near their bag. He said: "no, go ahead, take a bite." But she just put it into her pocket.

The helpful guy then handed me a protein bar and asked if I could hand it to the standing guy. Of course. I took it and handed it over. The helpful guy looked at me and said: "Pardon my Spanish." I smiled acknowledgingly [this is apparently not a real word in English, but I will use it anyways!]. Then he moved over one seat to sit closer and showed me a picture on his broken tablet. It is a picture of an Easter chicken and an Easter egg. I smiled again. Neither the man nor the woman was eating their bars. Part of me wondered if it perhaps had something to do with not having any teeth!

She was wearing nice jeans and a grey hoodie and gold earrings and silver finger rings. He was wearing jeans and a nice green coat, and a cap. He appears to not having shaven in a few days, and the remains of a goatee are faintly visible. He has very kind eyes, and both of them were just smiles and cheerful. This is admirable as they seemed to have embarked on what I doubt was a happy journey. But maybe it is. Not knowing where they came from, I am mesmerized by how they keep the spirits so high. They just seemed like two country mice to came to the big city for the first time, which might just be the case!

The standing guy asked if this was a subway and added that he had never been on a subway before. I smiled and nodded; however, the helpful guy sitting next to me added that it is not a subway yet - until we are underground. All right. Fair enough, I suppose he has a point. Later he extended the courtesy to point out to the standing guy that we are now underground. He had not yet noticed it! I think he was stressing about making sure to get off on Roosevelt. They are going to a specific place. A place the helpful guy also knows. He had spent a night there some time ago and asked if the place were expecting them. They both replied yes. I do not know what this place is, but I genuinely hope it is a place where they can stay and find some comfort in life.

The helpful guy suggested they swapped places so the standing guy can sit. The standing guy politely declined, but the helpful guy was not taking no for an answer and expressed that he likes to stand there as it made him feel like he is the conductor. So, the standing guy smiled and agreed to swap, likely to avoid a scene. There is something curiously friendly about these people. I am part of the "conversation," even though I had not actually uttered a word yet; I had just dragged my suitcase and my incredibly heavy backpack from the third floor and then walked to the train station. I had neither gotten the best night's sleep, so generally, I was tired and quiet and happy to be sitting and otherwise enjoyed the exchange between these people.

When I boarded the train, some people had been shouting. And who turned out to be the helpful guy, had made sure the doors stayed open, so the couple could board with all of their belongings. They were relieved to be on board, as they had never been to Chicago before one casually mentioned at one point. I wondered where they had spent the night or if they just had been dropped off! They talked about where they were from, but my tired brain cannot recall it. Maybe Tennessee or Kentucky, I believe it was. [Louisville it was - I just looked on a map and recognized the name!] The woman had said she was from Kentucky. The helpful guy had said oh him too, that he was also from Louisville! The woman happily looked at him at this strange coincidence that they had come from the same place. Again, I wondered! How did they get to Chicago, and what was this place they were going to! What kind of life have they lived! She kept looking up at the train stops chart to see if she could find the station where they had to get off. Her partner had to remind her of the name. But she still could not find it. Perhaps she could not read?

It was almost time for me to get off. As the pathway was completely blocked with their bags, I considered just riding to their station and observe them a little longer and ride back again! But I decided against it as I felt that would be dishonest and violating their privacy! As we left the stop before my stop, I got up to indicate I needed to get off. The man jumped up and removed his bags, and I got by without a problem. He apologized, and I assured him it was all fine. I got to the door and maneuvered around to look at how many stops before Roosevelt on the chart. Three... I turned around and told her: Three stops until Roosevelt. She looked happy and relieved and thanked me. And then I got off.

I then dragged myself over to the next train station I had scouted out the other day. Found the platform - another 1,5 hour before my train leaves. I am sitting at Subway eating a sandwich, thinking about this fantastic couple. I wish them the best of luck. It makes me sad to see how many people are struggling. But it also warmed my heart to know that they have each other.

One thing I have noticed about Chicago is the number of homeless people. Or I assume that they are homeless - as many are sitting in the streets with signs asking for money. This surprised me. I am used to it from Los Angeles, but here, it is freezing. Of course, it is freezing in Denmark too, and we have homeless people, but we also have many shelters where they can sleep! I guess I just do not fully understand why people care so little about other people's well-being: whomever it is who makes the rules about cutting down on jobs, cutting down on psychiatric treatments, cutting down on education in exchange for building more prisons. Where is the compassion of the human race? People want the homeless people to go away! But where should they go? Why do people not worry about why they are there in the first place?

Another thing I have noticed about Chicago is how much they care about recycling. On the subway, the guy over the speaker reminds us to make space for people with disabilities and not take up the seat next to us with our bags. So maybe - maybe that is why people come to Chicago! It is a more tolerant place where people help each other?