Livet som hjemløs i New York

When I was 21 years old, I got kicked out by my mom. I was in college at that point of my life, so I had to buy a small apartment. I was doing great in school, but I got fired from my after-school job and couldn’t afford the apartment any more. It was at that point my slippery slope began. I’ve been living on the streets in two years now and learned life the hard way. Normally when I wake up and feel good, but sometimes my body hurts, so I would drink a beer to then walk around asking some restaurants, if they need help washing dishes for 5 dollars. To then go out looking for something cheap for breakfast and then I would go and sit on the streets begging.

Occasionally I play lotto and try to have the chance of winning and I buy it because it’s cheap. They sell it at gas stations for 2 dollars.

After been living in the streets for 2 years I’ve learned that life isn’t too harsh because the people you get to know on the streets, it feels like a family and they’re most likely always there to help with the problem that you are having. Last month I bought a tent that is waterproof, and I have enough money for food, water and sometimes a motel. When I go to a motel I normally stay long as I can, and trying to learn the people that works there, so I can get free breakfast or something. When I beg, I beg on times square because there’s more tourist than in the normal streets. It’s risky because I could get a fee on 500 dollars. In the winter it’s hard coursed by the cold weather and snow, but the tent takes most of the windy weather, but life really gets hard sometimes because I miss my family but that’s where the older homeless people helps me. They give good advises and are very helpful and honest people. One of the homeless who found his way back to the “normal” life once gave me 100 dollars. I began crying because he was so generous, he sat down beside me, and we began talking. The guy who gave me the hundred-dollar bill had gotten back in the right direction and found a wife and adopted two kids.