We had some free time, so I got a Cheese and Tomäto Toastie (grilled cheese sandwich), and was able to break a £20 note, getting £1 and £2 coins in change — useful for handing out.
A few doors down, I saw a (probably college) student give a scone and converse briefly with a man soliciting donations. As I’ve said before, the only true beauty is that of the soul (and ugliness likewise). She had done a beautiful thing. After she moved on, I went up and put a coin in his bowl. The man said thanks, that was the first one of the day. There were only a few copper coins in the dish, no bi-metal ones.
I had a sandwich to eat, so I ate next to him, and got to chat. Derek was originally from Dundee, but had gotten kicked out of his place there for some disqualification that I didn’t understand. He said that a man had a place for him, but needed £200 by today or else the place would be given to someone else. I asked him how he could get in on a deposit, alone. Was there no income check? He said something about rent being paid a ? benefit, which I also didn’t understand. “So, once you’re in, you’re in?” I asked, and he confirmed.
He greeted and tried to engage most of the people passing by. (Oddly, he had not addressed me as I passed by.) Most didn’t acknowledge him, but to those that did, he usually said “Thanks anyway,” “God bless you,” or some other well-wish. Three people gave him bi-metal money within the space of a few minutes, and when each of these had moved on, Derek retrieved the high-value coins and put them into a separate bag he had in is lap. The bag seemed rather heavy.
One thing I noticed was that in my few days’ experience here, is that panhandlers have an exceedingly polite way of addressing people, even when declined, and that those passing by are also polite. Not once did I hear anyone make any derisive remarks.
I asked whether I might take his picture with his sign, to which he gladly consented. He also asked whether I might post the picture somewhere to ask others for donations. But how would any such person get back to him, I asked. He offered his phone number, and asked whether I had a phone, but I truthfully told him I have no service, I’m not from around here.
Some parts of what he said were suspect (detectives, can you spot the at least 3 holes in his story?), but it was hard to deny that his circumstances were severe.
We did a forest walk with an arborologist (UK term, something like an arborist).
