The Underground World of Real Life Vagabonds

You would think so, Debo. It certainly looks that way.

But I’m afraid it’s the real deal.

Hey next time warn us about blood and guts! Eeew!

[...] Vagabondish. And btw, if you haven’t read Vagabondish, you should. Especially if you love the more [...]

ive been thru the mill. train hopping myself for 10 yrs. “hopper” was known by, bridgeport, ct. spent most of my misery in new orleans. that was my bi-polar without meds journey. yes, its real. very real. gutterpunks, runaways, vagabonds, whatever u callem. its just a way of life thats been around as long as the freight train.

is hoppin still possible

the photographer is the polaroid kidd. mike brodie is his real name

best lifestyle in the world.

This seems as though these were once privileged kids who decided to try hoboing it for a while. Indications being the nice guitar, the pots, and some expensive attire despite the fact that it is covered in filth. I can understand the curiosity but don’t understand the shack as the whole point of hoboing is to have no ties and to be one place one day and another the next.

daniel you don’t get it and never will.

i admire everyone that hops trains,
id like to try it someday i think but i havent really decided.
i hangout with trainhoppers and street kids sometimes,
and they’re my favorite people to be around.
they have the best stories and you can tell they are happy about what they do.
It seems addicting and for some reason i find myself attracted to these people.
if i could surround myself with them all the time i definately would.
(:

I have been vagabonding around the country for a while hopping trains and hitchhicking… it has been amazing and I would highly recommend it. Just go with poeple who have been doing it and road dog it with them

I hitchhiked across country with a dog and guitar. Met so many interesting people. I even met a rodeo cowboy who hitchhike from Canada to Dallas every year. I lost my stero-type thinking and found myself. I also hopped the freights. It was great–sometimes scary but so is driving freeways. From these experiences I wrote a book and it has been published. If interested email me at jeromep21303@yahoo.com. It’s in the journey.

i love this
i live in a very popular
street kid town

its the portland of the south
asheville NC

New kids come every summer
many of them just left last week
and its hard spending all summer with such interesting unique individuals only for them to leave

some come back next year
and some i’ve never seen again

keep wandering kids
lost colony!

Yeah and the bugs down in San Fran. really suck!!! You should try them sometime

Dudeeee streeetkids hit me up on myspace.(:

http://www.myspace.com/amber_hinkle

Hey Josh, I’ve hitched myself with a guitar and I’m telling you it ain’t easy. However in answer to your question what I would suggest is to sleep in areas where there isn’t a lot of people. If that isn’t going to work then consider tucking it in with you at night. You could also tie a rope from you to the instrument. Conceal the rope of course. Hope these suggestions help and good luck. If you don’t mind carrying a bit more baggage take along a tape recorder. You never know what the creative juices might conjure up. Hope these suggestions help. Good luck. thumbflagging.blogspot.com jeromep21303@yahoo.com

This type of thing is the future–unhealthy, exciting, interesting, nowhere else to go, not chosen, just accepted, not new; but when you got no job and no hope, you’re stuck.

Hahaha Dont flag down the white truck they are rail police a.k.a the bull, they will kick you off the yard, as well the one time i have worn light clothing i have got busted and spent two nights in jail… not fun i suggest wearing dark clothing. There is no real good way of finding out the trains destination except some of the rail workers kickin cars will give you some idea. It can get really cold on a freight train even in the summer sometimes, always be prepared to go through mountains. You should bring a cloth to wet and cover your mouth when going through a tunnel, diesel fumes can be intoxicating. And lastly, if you dont think you c can make it on the train, you probably cant. Be safe!! nont walk on the trax and ont jump umder cars

The photographer’s name is Mike Brodie, the Polaroid Kidd.

Rhode Island brings back memories.

It was in Providence waiting for the bus to go home to Greenwood. I stopped at a dinner in front of City Hall for a cup of coffee and piece of pie and as I paid realized I just spent my bus fare. The guy on the next stool saw my dismay. He told me what to do. Leaving the dinner I went past the bus stop up to the railroad station but followed the street under the underpass and then scrambled up the back of it. There was a chain link fence between me and the tracks. I walked along it and right where the diner guy said it had been cut and you could pull it apart like a curtain. I could see the slow freight approaching, stopping to wait for a passenger train. I tossed my books into a box car and climbed in. After a while the train began to move. I stood in the door way looking out and after a half hour or so I recognized a red tower and knew we were coming to Hillsgrove. The train began to slow down. When it was really slow I threw my book bag ahead of me, sat on the floor and pushed myself off. It seemed like the train was slow but I still fell down and scratched myself a little but I was wearing blue jeans and my jacket was buttoned and I was OK. The train continued on, more slowly at first and then picking up speed. I cut across a field to Jefferson Boulevard and then walked a couple of miles home. As I got to the Greenwood Bridge I saw the bus I would have taken if I had the fare. I was cold and dirty but home and safe.