Josh

Via Flickr:
He saw me talking to Frog and came up to me as I was walking away. "Are you doing interviews Sir?" he asked, "because I'm in a similar situation as her." Josh said he was from Colorado and wouldn't mind talking. After going for a bite to eat, and not finishing what I ordered, I went back looking for Josh with my leftovers. "Hey Colorado" I called when I saw him a few yards away. He was grateful for the fried shrimp and while he ate, we talked.

Josh is 24 years old and lives on the streets. He's traveled to many parts of the country and said that his lifestyle is by choice. He has only 3 living relatives, all more than a generation older and he lost both his parents more than 5 years ago. Josh described how when he was working in Colorado for Papa John he was making a lot of money via commissions, wage and tips and serving in a role as assistant marketing manager. Josh said he realized that having money didn't make him happy so he set out traveling and meeting people. When he runs out of money or can't support himself on the street, he cleans up, gets a job, earns some money and then goes back to the street lifestyle.

It should have been a sad story, but it wasn't. Josh was pretty articulate and confident in himself. He appears to be truly happy with his present state in life but recognizes that it won't be forever. Right now he's happy living his humble values. I thanked Josh for the conversation and wished him luck. He thanked me for the dinner, shook my hand and we parted ways.

Taken 10/19/11
Posted 10/24/11 - Week 43; processed with Snapseed on the iPad.