Historically, many people have been forced to become vagrants due to a shortage of jobs that led them to travel from town to town to find one. However, the advent of the internet and the growing discomfort created by the daily work routine have led more and more people to wonder whether earning a living on the street is a valid alternative to traditional social conventions. If you are considering becoming an opportunistic and resourceful worker, keeping expenses very low, responsibilities limited, and your freedom intact, here are the questions you need to ask yourself - and the preparations you need to make.
Steps
Step 1. Remember the differences between tramps, tramps, and homeless people:
vagrants are people who travel and look for work, homeless people travel without looking for work, and homeless people do not travel and do not look for work.
Step 2. Evaluate your skills and experience
Historically, vagrants earn their living from manual labor, but this is not a mandatory requirement. Any skills that are in high demand and don't need a long-term commitment can be useful for a wanderer. If you can advertise your services and gain people's trust (perhaps thanks to your references), you can do anything. Here are some careers that can fit your lifestyle:
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Excavation and construction - many migrant workers who cross the border find work in this field, because it is the one that requires less knowledge of the language. Having experience is key though, as you will be required to work with potentially dangerous equipment and machinery.
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Help factor - if you've ever thought about helping out on a farm, there are places around the world that offer food, lodging, and compensation in exchange for your willingness to get your hands dirty. You can match your travels with harvest seasons in your country or even around the world.
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Fishing - take on the role of boatman, cook or fisherman while traveling on the open sea.
Become a Hobo Step 3Bullet3 - Any web-based service, such as writing, publishing or programming.
Step 3. Make a plan B
This is a serious and life-changing decision. Don't leave everything suddenly to disappear. You'll need a point of reference to return to if your life on the road doesn't go right. Make sure you have paid all debts and taken care of your responsibilities before departure. If possible, save some savings before you go, which you can access later if needed. Emergencies are always there, and they require money.
Step 4. Get ready
The romantic idea of leaving with nothing but clothes on your shoulders and what's in your wallet might appeal to you, but it's a recipe that is sure to lead to disaster. You will have to assume that you will eat, cook, travel and basically live outdoors, unless you decide to drive a car.
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How will you get from one place to another? Tramps are often associated with erratic train travel, because that's what tramps did during the Great Depression. A car can double-duty as a means of transportation and a bedroom, but remember that gasoline is expensive, and vehicle maintenance is a huge expense, and you may decide that you prefer hitchhiking. Some wanderers prefer bicycles, but this will limit your freedom of movement (to regions with warmer climates) and your carrying capacity. A motorcycle can allow you to get to your destination faster, but it has similar maintenance requirements to a car, albeit slightly lower. Buses are also an option.
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Where will you sleep? Unless the place where you work offers you accommodation, you will need to sleep in your car (if you have one), outdoors, find refuge in an abandoned building, or stay in a hostel or motel. Another option is to take advantage of people who are willing to host travelers. Visit sites such as couchsurfing.com or globalfreeloaders.com, where you will find the opportunity to stay for free in exchange for a material contribution. Consider the costs and dangers associated with each option.
Become a Hobo Step 5Bullet2 - Where will you take a shower? Some campsites have showers, but many don't, so you may want to consider purchasing a portable shower. You will also be able to subscribe to a chain of national gyms to use the showers inside them.
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How will you defend yourself? A nomadic lifestyle can be dangerous, because you will constantly put yourself in unfamiliar situations, and will probably be alone - becoming the target of thieves and assailants. You will need to take some precautions, such as always letting people know where you are, carrying a cell phone (and only moving in areas covered by the signal) and an alarm system or a weapon. In addition, you will always need to know where you are, in order to provide your location in the event of an emergency phone call.
Become a Hobo Step 5Bullet4
Step 5. Make a list of your contacts
Look at a map of the area you will be traveling to, and try to figure out if anyone you know, directly or indirectly, lives in that area. Ask your Aunt Clara if great-uncle Aldo still lives in that house in the woods. Ask a friend of yours if his cousin still works at that dealership in another region. Most importantly, ask if you can get in touch with these people in an emergency. Some people may even be willing to host you, which can be a big plus. Just make sure you are a polite host!
Step 6. Plan an itinerary based on the type of work you want to do, the connections you have and the places you would like to visit
Do as much research as possible before you leave. Make a list of places where you can stay, eat, wash, camp, etc. You will also find it helpful to look for information on churches and shelters that offer services for the homeless. The more prepared you are, the more you can enjoy your travels.
Step 7. Learn the tramp code
Historically, vagrants rely on a shared system of symbols that let other travelers know about their surroundings. These symbols vary from region to region and may no longer be used in many areas. Here are some symbols to get you started:
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Spearhead - defend yourself
Become a Hobo Step 8Bullet1 - Circle with two parallel arrows - move away quickly, vagrants are not welcome
- Waves over an X - fresh water and a nearby camp
- Three diagonal lines - not a safe place
- Cross - food of angels, (food served to vagabonds after a party)
Step 8. Go
Leave your roots. Find a place to live and work every day. Admire the beauties of each place you visit. Make friends with interesting people (you never know when you will need a hand). Life on the road will allow you to make every moment your own. With no plans and responsibilities (save for your health), you will have to decide how best to use your time to achieve the balance you seek between work, travel, relaxation and fun. Enjoy the variety that every day has to offer… you are earning it.
Step 9. Don't hesitate to rummage through the bins
You wouldn't believe the amount of unexpired foods that are thrown away every day. For best results, look near small groceries and vegetable markets, but be careful. Fast food chains are also a great place to search, while traditional restaurants often waste much less food.
Advice
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Remember the symbols of the vagabonds. You can find them on the internet, but here are a few:
- A bird points to a free phone
- A cat points to a kind lady
- A circle with an arrow means to follow that direction
- A cylinder marks the home of a gentleman
- There are many others. These are just a few examples.
- Bring a camera, preferably digital and with a large memory, and keep a diary. It will always be a pleasure to remember your travels when you are on the road.
- If you can, attend the National Hobo Convention in Britt, Iowa in August. Enjoy a plate of stew and tell your stories over a campfire. You will find many other wanderers who enjoy the free life and travel from place to place, enjoying their own lifestyle.
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Read some books on the subject:
- "You Can't Win" by Jack Black, an interesting look at life on the road, from a man who made his career out of it.
- George Orwell's "Down And Out In Paris And London". It is a non-fictional account of life in poverty.
- Steal This Book, or the wiki it inspired, stealthiswiki.org, where you will find specific advice.
- If your mind doesn't accept this lifestyle, neither will the body. If you have enough self-confidence to know that you can cope with anything in life, you will be a successful wanderer.
- Remember that, as a wanderer, you will have to enjoy travel and you will have to be willing to work, unlike someone who just begs for money or food.
- Don't spend all your money on alcohol. Many drunken wanderers have been hit by a train. Remember to think about your safety!
- Read Eddy Joe Cotton's "Hobo" books, a story that must make modern wanderers think and "Rough Living: An Urban Survival Manual" by Chris Damitio. Both books offer advice for street life, ideas on finding food and shelter, and useful lists of vagrant culture, definitions and things to avoid. For more practical information, try Duffy Littlejohn's "Hopping Freight Trains in America". You can find a more complete list of vagrant books at danielleen.org/further reading.
- Look for temporary employment agencies in large cities. Many of these agencies will pay you by the day. Even if you won't be hired, it's worth a try. Show up early, looking decent.
Warnings
- If someone says something about you, ignore it. If things get more serious, run away or ask for help. Never try to fight, especially against a group of people.
- Don't trust everyone.
- Obey the law, unless you're willing to spend time in jail or dirty your criminal record.
- Don't neglect what you have, or you'll be left with nothing.
- Learn about the employment laws in the areas where you will be traveling. If you ever get injured at work, it is important to know what kind of protection you will have, and what actions you can take to ensure this right.
