Homelessness: A global issue caused by other global issues, such as war and overpopulation. While in Sweden, there was a clear ethnic divide between the nicely dressed blonde hair, blue eyed Swedes and Syrian refugees. You could always expect a woman sitting outside of Urban Deli and another homeless person outside the McDonalds in the ICA grocery store. One the daily, as I walked to school through the center of Nacka, I always passed by a person sitting on the streets. Yet, the subway station was worse. Sleeping bags lined the walls of the Slussen station, which could be seen from the pendeltäg. Of course I carried empathy for those I walked, but I felt helpless because I did not have change of my own to spare.
Over a year later, I am sure the numbers of asylum seekers have only increased in Sweden. The homeless rates are probably at peak heights. However, after living through the start of the Refugee Crisis, I seem to have more of a connection with this issue, which is why I am happy we only spent three weeks in California. I thought the homelessness was terrible in Sweden, but the Tenderloin of San Francisco was by far the most homelessness I have seen in a developed country. I would pass by people who had made homes out of grocery carts and sleeping bags.
One day, while walking to Union Square with four other people, a man stopped us. He simply said hi and thanked us for even acknowledging us. He did not ask for money, but told us that he had just left the hospital and had been sitting in the same spot all day, only acknowledged by one other man. He had set rules for himself, in which he was friendly to everyone and would not keep anyone in a hurry. He did not want to interrupt anyone else's life with his own problem or put them in an uncomfortable position. He shook each of our hands and asked us where we were from. Each one of us had a different answer, which put him in awe. After a short conversation, we each gave him a small amount of money so he could buy himself a cheap sandwich from down the street.
Because the American portions are so large, we often had left overs from lunch and dinner. Instead of taking them home to put in the fridge, I often asked the first person I saw if they wanted it. In most cases, they took it, except for the one man who said he was starving, but refused to take my salad because he wanted meat. I gave that salad to a man on the next block. My eyes have been opened through these experiences and I am truly thankful for always having a roof over my head and never have to worry about not where I am going to get money for my next meal.
