In the distance a very blue lake beckoned. As we drew nearer I realised this ‘lake’ was in fact acres upon acres of solar panels, poised to the sun, magically using light to create power. The modern world creates and celebrates these advances, and yet still cannot sort out how to care for our fellow man.
In Germany the homeless or hungry are not allowed to ask for money. But this does not make the issues vanish. At Frankfurt station I was approached twice by beggers. One in a wheelchair initially confused me by holding out money, asking me to get him a coffee, since he couldn’t get his wheelchair into the shop. He was stringline thin, and missing a leg. The scam is that there isn’t enough cash for the coffee, but the kind person who has agreed to get him the coffee won’t have the heart to go back to him for more money, so will cover it themselves. Then, upon receiving the drink, the scammer asks for their change. Upon being told there is none, he turns up the pressure with a sob story I.e. how will I get home, or worse, but I promised to take my daughter a treat. The kind person feels bad and opens their wallet… When I refused to take this particular scammer’s money, he hurled abuse at me. I only recognized about three words, but his message was pretty clear. Were the looks from other station users pity, or did they think I was somehow guilty of being unkind to a poor fellow in a wheelchair? He suddenly found momentum enough to leave hastily though when two constables appeared to be walking our way.
But it’s not just beggers who gain our attention. Whilst waiting for my train, I was joined by a 20-something lass who was moaning tediously about the 8-hour flight she’d just come from. Her flounce was quite a skill, given the height of the stilettos her feet were exploding out from. She’d been away for just a week, and yet had two maximum-sized suitcases, a handbag big enough to hide a cat in, two (yes, two) coats, and a purse in tanned leather with gold leaf highlights. To be fair, one of the coats was a mink-looking long coat, whilst the other was a puffer jacket, so she could be prepared for any eventuality.
The thick lush black hair provided a frame for her face, but it was her barbie fingernails that really got me. She had purchased a small tub of something that looked vaguely edible, and to my utter astonishment she used a fingernail as a spoon! Yes, it was still attached to her finger. Now I can lick the last of a bowl with my fingers with the best of them, but she was in a whole new league, approaching the bowl with her hand upside down and then scooping out the food! So difficult not to stare.
Coming back to beggers, the second begger was on the train at Frankfurt station. I had settled into a seat when a man came up to me, leant over and yelled at me that I was in his seat. Apparently I could buy it off him for ten euros cash. His power play made me feel quite small, and his breath stunk of rotten eggs. At least it wasn’t booze or smoke. The worst part though was that he was smiling; there’s something extra sinister about smiling monsters.
I was still in reaction mode when a woman nearby spoke sharply; he went quite pale, instantly morphed into a thin hapless rag of a man, and expunged himself from the train.
Looking back afterwards, I would like to think that my normal resilience would have kicked in quickly, and I would have dealt with the situation, but I am glad I didn’t need to find out.
Sadly, the central Frankfurt railway station is well known as being a place to avoid walking outside of, with the immediate area lined with drug addicts looking for ways to fund their habit. Tourists are warned to use public transport or taxis. Whilst I would have liked to confirm whether it was as bad as the advisors said, there’s a callousness in viewing the remnants of human misery, so I stayed away.
It seems every place has their addicts, homeless and hungry. The sad part is that nowadays, in so many places, the homeless and hungry can be decent hardworking folk who have been squeezed out through housing crisis and the cost of living. These folk are not addicts, nor lazy; they are us, but for some lousy luck.
And the addicts? Each one was an innocent wee baby once… Governments can fund technology to turn light into electricity, but when, oh when, are they going to find the way to bring light against misery, and thus create real power? Perhaps they need to turn their thinking upside down, and scoop out the issues, rather than just wiping the bowl?
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