Unexpected genorosity

*Post #4 - scroll down for Post #3, Post #2, and Post #1

After a half hour of laying on the bench, I began to hear the familiar slap of raindrops on plastic garbage bags. Adam and I gathered our belongings and started walking back into the downtown area. As we walked, it began to rain harder and harder. We sought shelter in the nearest corner Starbucks, just as the skies ripped open. We watched from the window as the streets flooded within minutes, thankful to have made it inside just in time. While we sat, I remembered a tip that one of the guides had given us. I decided to give it a shot and walked into the restroom, locking the door. I lifted the lid off the trash can and pulled out the half-full garbage bag. And voilá! Underneath it, just as the guide had said, was an extra garbage bag. I snatched it up for future use as a poncho and put the garbage can back together. Strolling casually out of the restroom, I couldn't quite keep my grin at bay, as I was feeling like the slickest street-rat ever.

When the skies let up, our hungry stomachs told us which goal to accomplish next. We left the Starbucks and walked a few blocks north, searching for another homeless person who could direct us to a shelter. We came across an older Middle Eastern man who appeared to be on the streets. At first, we kept walking, unsure of ourselves. But after a few strides, we turned back around and just went for it. And to our surprise this man could not have been any kinder. With his thick accent, he told us exactly where the three closest shelters were, what time they served dinner, and which one was co-ed. Then, to our astonishment, he pulled out a $5 bill from his pocket and handed it to us. “There's a McDonald's right up the street. Take this and get two fish fillets off the dollar menu―they're pretty filling, and don't taste too bad.” After I pocketed the money, I shook his hand and thanked him profusely for his generosity.

As Adam and I walked away from him, I couldn't believe how kind he had been to us. It was exactly what the Coalition had told us would happen. Our greatest resources on the street would be our fellow homeless people. They would be the ones to help us out, point us in the right direction, give us advice. It is simply amazing. They are the people who have the least to give, the people struggle the most, and yet somehow they are the people most willing to lend a hand. I feel like homeless people are so willing to help one another out because they really don't have anyone else who watches their backs or looks out for them. United by common hardship, they form a community.

Outside of the McDonald's, it was like a homeless mecca. There were more homeless people hanging out right there than we had seen the entire day. As we crossed the sidewalk, a young guy wearing a Greenpeace shirt introduced himself to us. After his spiel about the rainforests, through which we nodded emphatically, he thrust out his clipboard and asked us to become members...'contributing' members, that is. “Um...I don't really have an address...or any money...sorry.”

Walking away from him, I couldn't decide if I was offended or not. Clearly, we had no money to give to his organization, so why would he put us in that awkward circumstance? On the other hand, was it better that he didn't judge us rig ht off the bat―that he treated us like any other passerby? I'm not sure.

The McDonalds where we ate. (gotta love google maps street view haha)

Sitting in the McDonald's window, Adam and I feasted on our dollar menu meal―a side salad for myself, a double cheeseburger for Adam, and a medium order of french fries to share. It hit me then, why so many homeless people are overweight. When your cheapest and most filling food option is a greasy double cheeseburger from Mickie D's, you're bound to pack on the pounds...and the health risks. I recently learned that the average life expectancy in the homeless population is estimated between 42 and 52 years, compared to 78 years in the general population.

With full stomachs, we trekked eastward to check out the shelters that we had heard about. Though we had just eaten, we both agreed that we wanted to at least see what the shelters looked like. The further east that we walked, the seedier the area became. Just as I was thinking that maybe we should turn around, we came across the three shelters. Outside the steps of one, there was a loud and raucous group of people. We bit back our uneasiness and crossed the street to the shelter. But as soon as we were there, the intimidation was just too great, so we kept walking. On our way out of the area, we both remarked how we were ashamed that we felt threatened―but it didn't change the way we felt.

The Open Door Shelter for Women

Federal City Shelter

We made our way back to the National Mall for a second go at napping on a bench. The location was great because the Smithsonian Castle has a giant clock on one of the towers. That's something else that I never thought about until this experience―knowing what time it is. Homeless people don't have cell phones to pull out and check every five minutes to see the time. Not knowing the time was something to get used to. It was like just floating through the day, rather meeting checkpoints. Throughout the day, I asked a few random people for the time. It was weird to have to depend on other people for something as simple as the time.

Benches on the National Mall in front of the Smithsonian Castle
-AKA Kelsey's Favorite Place to Nap-

Anyway, this go around, I was able to relax enough to slip into a light sleep. We woke up just as the sun was beginning to set behind the Washington Monument. That's right―the sun came out for the first time that day, just to sneak back down into the night. But it was a beautiful sunset. As we were admiring the sky, to our surprise, our two other group members, Luna and Kaitlin, walked onto the Mall just a few yards down from our benches. We ran towards each other and basically tackled each other with giant hugs―just like it happens in the movies. It was just so welcoming to see a familiar face. They sat down on our benches and told us their tales of the day.

Apparently, they had not fared as well as us at panhandling, and by late afternoon they were becoming seriously worried that they weren't going to be able to eat. Fortunately, they ran into a wonderfully generous and colorful character outside of Union Station. Known as The General, he is permanently camped out on a stretch of sidewalk in front of Union Station, along with two other homeless people.

Union Station

The General's home base

When Luna and Kaitlin asked The General for help, he immediately jumped to their aid. He fished out a few wadded (and moist) $1 gift certificates to McDonald's, and then added another dollar bill of his own “for the tax.” He then told them about Martha's Table, a food van that goes around to different parks and hands out sandwiches, as well as when and where they could catch it. He sent them on their way and told them to come back later if they wanted--he would share is his skittles and they could play music together. After getting five sandwiches each from Martha's Table, Luna and Kaitlin went back to Union Station to thank the General.

As they talked with him, it was apparent how wonderful his spirit was. All he wanted to do was to make people smile. He even told them that he knew some other girls around their age that he could get them in touch with, to make friends on the street―“but by no means should you feel pressured to like them, because you don't have to, you can make your own judgement, but just in case you want to meet other young people it might be nice, but again no pressure...” Once again, it was evident how helpful and generous the people on the street can be.