So today on my Google homepage the "how to of the day" was
HOW TO BECOME A HOBO
which I found to be a very interesting thing to know...
- Take stock of your skills and experience. Any skill that is in wide demand and does not require an extended time commitment can be useful to a hobo. As long as you can advertise your services and earn people's trust (ideally through references), you can do anything.
- Establish Plan B. This is a serious, life-altering decision. Don't abandon everything suddenly and disappear. You need something to come back to if your life on the road doesn't work out. Make sure all your debts are paid and responsibilities are handled before departure. If possible, have some savings set aside before you go, that you can access while you're on the road, if need be. Emergencies happen, and they cost money.
- Be prepared. You may like the romantic idea of leaving with nothing but the clothes on your back and whatever is in your wallet, but that is a sure-fire recipe for disaster. You must assume that you will be sleeping, cooking, traveling, and essentially living outdoors, unless you decide to drive a car.
- Make a list of connections. Look at maps of the areas in which you'll be traveling, and determine whether or not there's anyone you know, directly or indirectly, who lives there. Ask your Aunt Sally if your great uncle Billy still lives in that cabin in the woods. Ask your friend if his cousin still works at the car dealership in Utah. Most important of all, ask them if it's okay if you can get in touch with those people in case of an emergency. Some people might offer to make arrangements so that you can actually visit, which is always nice. (Just be a good house guest!)
- Do as much research as you can beforehand. Make a list of places you can stay, eat, shower, camp, etc. It's also wise to look up churches and shelters and any services that are offered to the homeless. The more prepared you are, the more you'll enjoy your travels.
- Learn the hobo code. Historically hobos relied on a shared system of symbols that let fellow travelers know more about their current environment.[1] The symbols can vary from place to place and may no longer be used in many areas. Here are some symbols to get you started:
- spearhead - defend yourself
- circle with two parallel arrows - get out fast, hobos not welcome
- wavy line (signifying water) above an X - fresh water and a campsite nearby
- three diagonal lines - not a safe place.
- cross - "angel food," (food served to hobos after a party)
- Hit the road! Leave your roots behind. Find a place to live and work from day to day. See the sights of each new place you visit. Make interesting friends (you never know when they might lend a helping hand). Life on the road means that every moment is your own. With no schedule and no responsibilities (except keeping yourself healthy), you must decide how to best use your time to achieve a balance between work, travel, relaxation, and entertainment. Enjoy the variety that each day has to offer...you're earning it.
If possible, attend the annual National Hobo Convention in Britt, Iowa during the month of August and join in the festivities. Have some mulligan stew and share stories around a campfire. There are many other hobos who enjoy living a free life, not having obligations, and just traveling from place to place, enjoying their style of life.
2 comments:
Wow. That certaily is a wealth of knowledge I will stow somewhere very safely. I just learned yesterday from a book I am reading that the word hobo is traced back to the unemployed people in Chicago in the late 1800's. They were so stinky and smelly that when people saw them coming, they would say, "Ho, boy!" Add that to your bit of insight! :) Helpful, I'm sure!
Grandpa Gael actually knew a real life Hobo, Hobo Maury, go figure! He was actually voted King of the Hobos once at a convention, I think. He was a true rail-riding, camping Hobo..Too funny! Momo
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