How to not appear homeless

Being homeless can really suck. There can be a lot of walking around in shabby clothes while smelling bad. Fortunately, there's a situation where that's perfectly socially acceptable, even admired a little. Every summer there are many many people walking around my area that fit that description. No one is upset by them. Unlike normal homeless people, folks engage them in conversation. What's their secret? They are hiking the Appalachian Trail.

There are worse things one can do with one's time. It's good exercise. The scenery is beautiful. Interesting people are your companions. The hobo look is frowned upon in cities, but on the trail it's normal. It doesn't cost much money. If your gear is a bit sub par, make it a virtue. You are trying to get back to the basics of hiking while rejecting high tech gear. That raises your status from poor bum to a person on a philosophical quest.

It doesn't have to be hiking. Go on a long canoe or kayak trip. The boat I'm building would actually make a pretty neat set up for a homeless person. It's only 12 feet long so doesn't need to be registered. No need for gas because it can be rowed or sailed. It even has a small cabin to get out of the weather. A small boat is a great platform for fishing and foraging wild edible plants. Even people in good sized boats dress casual and many don't take daily showers to conserve water. It's normal.

Maybe you'd prefer to travel around on a bicycle. Tell people you are on a cross country trip. It's just one more excuse for living rough with minimal gear.

Here's the perfect camouflage: notebooks. Scribble in a notebook now and them. Tell people you are writing a book. It's very hard to tell the difference between a writer and an unemployed bum. In fact, you could actually write the book. Even this blog makes enough money to keep me in beans and rice.

-Sixbears