When I arrived in Brattleboro, Vermont yesterday, I took a bus to what I was told is a homeless outreach center.
But the people there never reached out a kind hand to me!
In fact, after going through a ridiculous negotiation, I finally got my laundry done and nothing more.
Then I was told that the local shelter was full.
And awhile later, I was handed a stupid ultimatum, either accept their offer to come up here to New Hampshire...or head out on the road, alone.
I was tired [and still am] and I am now in Claremont, New Hampshire.
After I was dropped-off at the shelter, I walked in looked at the surroundings. And a long, steep staircase stared right back at me.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Ruthie On The Road, New England II
A young, Puerto Rican man stepped out of the shadows and offered to keep me company overnight. I rolled my eyes and was just about to chew him out when he put up his hands and smiled.
Eventually, he got his friend to keep an eye on me, and then he walked down to the local Dunkin' Donuts and bought us donuts and hot coffee.
After midnight, the wind turned cold and I sure appreciated his treat!
The next morning, he bought me breakfast at the Mickey D's in the bus station and then gave me $25.00 in cash.
Then he waved goodbye as my bus pulled out and headed to Brattleboro, Vermont.
Eventually, he got his friend to keep an eye on me, and then he walked down to the local Dunkin' Donuts and bought us donuts and hot coffee.
After midnight, the wind turned cold and I sure appreciated his treat!
The next morning, he bought me breakfast at the Mickey D's in the bus station and then gave me $25.00 in cash.
Then he waved goodbye as my bus pulled out and headed to Brattleboro, Vermont.
Ruthie On The Road, New England I
I am in Claremont, New Hampshire. And it has turned-out to be an awful experience.
Rather than update you on my initial trip across the Country, I am going to start with what's going on now and work my way back.
I am going to have to walk out of here tonight. And I will.
This town represents a general lack of motivation that I don't subscribe to. And while the so-called provider-system has let me down, they won't stop me.
I got a bus ticket from some kind folks in Wilkes-Barre, [south of Scranton] Pennsylvania. I originally planned to hitchhike into New England, but I was advised to take a bus across New York to Brattleboro, Vermont.
My intention was to spend the summer somewhere in New England.
I won't be able to do that.
When I reached Springfield, Massachusetts, I got off the bus. I decided to stay at the shelter there [I was informed by a fellow passenger that it exists] and then reach Brattleboro, Vermont the following day.
But when I walked down to the shelter, I changed my mind. What wasn't dirty in the shelter was nasty and that included the mind of every guy there.
After gazing at the mess, I was not surprised to hear that they didn't serve food there.
Instead, the motley crew there pointed to a soup kitchen up the street.
I ate a mock-rib sandwich that was formed from a mysterious substance that I never did identify.
Then, I walked into the nearby police station, used the restroom and chatted with the cops that were on break at the time.
They said that they didn't blame me for not wanting to stay at the shelter which, by that time, I had dubbed the "crap camp."
So, I took what was left of my ticket and returned to the bus station.
The station closed at 9:30pm and I settled on a nearby bench for a long night of waiting for the station to re-open again.
Twenty-minutes later, after everything got quiet, an angel appeared.
Rather than update you on my initial trip across the Country, I am going to start with what's going on now and work my way back.
I am going to have to walk out of here tonight. And I will.
This town represents a general lack of motivation that I don't subscribe to. And while the so-called provider-system has let me down, they won't stop me.
I got a bus ticket from some kind folks in Wilkes-Barre, [south of Scranton] Pennsylvania. I originally planned to hitchhike into New England, but I was advised to take a bus across New York to Brattleboro, Vermont.
My intention was to spend the summer somewhere in New England.
I won't be able to do that.
When I reached Springfield, Massachusetts, I got off the bus. I decided to stay at the shelter there [I was informed by a fellow passenger that it exists] and then reach Brattleboro, Vermont the following day.
But when I walked down to the shelter, I changed my mind. What wasn't dirty in the shelter was nasty and that included the mind of every guy there.
After gazing at the mess, I was not surprised to hear that they didn't serve food there.
Instead, the motley crew there pointed to a soup kitchen up the street.
I ate a mock-rib sandwich that was formed from a mysterious substance that I never did identify.
Then, I walked into the nearby police station, used the restroom and chatted with the cops that were on break at the time.
They said that they didn't blame me for not wanting to stay at the shelter which, by that time, I had dubbed the "crap camp."
So, I took what was left of my ticket and returned to the bus station.
The station closed at 9:30pm and I settled on a nearby bench for a long night of waiting for the station to re-open again.
Twenty-minutes later, after everything got quiet, an angel appeared.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Ruthie On The Road, Update
Hello, Campers! I'm back on the road!!! And that's why you haven't heard from me for so long.
I left the abandoned church building in Nyssa, Oregon [where I stayed all winter] and spent a week relaxing in a motel in nearby Ontario, Oregon.
Then, last Tuesday, I hit the road.
I only have a limited time today to tell you about everything.
I hitchhiked from Ontario through Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and on to Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and I am now in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Yes, I sat in the rain in the middle of the night and shivered for hours. I was granted a motel room. I got several rides from long-haul truckers. And I also watched one driver get taken away in handcuffs, due to warrants, a suspended license and a bad temper.
The typical roadie experiences. Ha!
I promise to fill you all in on the details when I get to Vermont.
I left the abandoned church building in Nyssa, Oregon [where I stayed all winter] and spent a week relaxing in a motel in nearby Ontario, Oregon.
Then, last Tuesday, I hit the road.
I only have a limited time today to tell you about everything.
I hitchhiked from Ontario through Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and on to Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and I am now in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Yes, I sat in the rain in the middle of the night and shivered for hours. I was granted a motel room. I got several rides from long-haul truckers. And I also watched one driver get taken away in handcuffs, due to warrants, a suspended license and a bad temper.
The typical roadie experiences. Ha!
I promise to fill you all in on the details when I get to Vermont.
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