The night felt holiday party appropriate as there was a bite to the air, though no hint of snow in the California town. Feelings of anticipation quickened our stride down quiet streets; hands clasped and seeing our breath in front of us, we were eager to arrive at the festive gathering. As we approached the community center, the rhythm and energy of an Americana band serenaded employees and their guests into the hall. The room swirled with the smell of spices, warm bread, and merriment. At the drink table, donning holiday colors and intriguing beverages, stout paper cups of beer were poured and wine bottles uncorked, motivating folks to relax and enjoy the evening together - even if at a work sponsored event.
Phil had been making jokes all day about trying not to get too weird at the holiday party - to avoid any situation where, the following day, making eye contact with co-workers would be awkward. (Apparently things had been a little less than sober the year before, due to the mixing of strong margaritas.) The table we found ourselves joining seemed to be heedful of that possibility, so, taking it easy, they sparked civil conversation with modest voices.
However, one topic, that instigated a great level of discussion, pertained to the large transient population of Humboldt County. As newcomers to the region, seeing so many people sleeping in vans and cars, under bridges, and in the forest, for us, was shocking. I mean, we were doing the same thing, so it was a nice surprise to find a community where that was okay. But, it was shocking to see how many people there were.
Upon seeing the amount of people choosing alternative accommodations, I decided that I had underestimated the harvest. Harvest time in Humboldt means green - it doesn't take rocket science to put it together. However, it turns out that harvest time or not, Arcata is transient-people friendly, therefore making the presence of "traveler types" a part of everyday life for residents. People in Humboldt have different opinions about these folks, as you can imagine, and as was expressed to us at the holiday party.
I get it. I know how easy it is write people off - to think, "in some places, pan-handling can make you more than 20k a year", or "why don't they just get a job?" It is easy to label people as bums, deadbeats, hobos or some other term used to categorize people with a "certain look". It's harder to consider what connects you to those people. It is more uncomfortable to recognize the small scope of decisions or choices that separate your life from those you see on the street.
It was funny to be sitting at a dinner party discussing homelessness, when at the end of October, Phil and I faced the possibility of abandoning the car and the prospect of selling the possessions we couldn't carry. We have heard people say that when they first met us, we looked different. That's true! We were sleeping in our car. We were stressed out and hadn't showered in awhile. We were transients.
"But, you are different," they say after hearing us joke about what we were doing.
"Yeah, we were traveling."
Another friend offered the distinction: "Those people are trolls."
Trolls versus travelers. Where do you draw the line? Does the distinction come from those attracting attention or asking for money versus those who keep to themselves? Is it because some people are looking for work and some people are looking for handouts? Is it due to people being in the same spot each day hoping for more versus moving from location to location chasing opportunity? Is it a mindset? Is it your background? Is it your future?
Not too long ago we were uncertain as to where we were going to sleep each night. In fact, that happened each night for about a month. We got to know how dire our situation was and how close we were getting to being more transient than traveler. We experienced the feeling of being watched in grocery stores. I remember being informed that bathrooms were for "customers only" and I had I insisted that I was a customer...or planned to buy something at least. We knew as we put on more layers of clothing and waited for closing time that we looked homeless. We were homeless. I felt that line blur and I believe that it doesn't take much.
Some are travelers. Some are trolls. Some people are here for the harvest. Some people don't have anywhere else to go. Some people choose this. Some people have a myriad of choices made for them. I know that in a town that is transient-people friendly, the harassment felt when entering a grocery store can be exhausting and the shouts of downtrodden people on the square can feel like noise pollution, but when Phil and I came to Humboldt County, we couldn't believe our luck ending up in this place.
As we enjoyed our holiday feast and sipped on beverages, joking about the moral imperative to drain both kegs with Phil's co-workers, I recognized the gallimaufry of choices that landed us at that table. I also felt the weight of our past that could have resulted in a vastly different reality. Perhaps the issue isn't so much about trolls versus travelers as it is connection - humanity instead of distance and isolation. After a wonderful evening shared with new friends, warm with holiday spirits and residual laughter, we put on more layers of clothing, and headed...home.
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