Ahhhhh, Christmas Eve Day. In Australia (like in the UK) we celebrate Christmas on the 25th, so it's only since I've been in France that I've actually done something on both days. Not this year! I was going to go to a party, but that fell through. I was invited to a colleague's for dinner tonight, but to be honest, I just want a quiet evening in, just me and my cat. Tomorrow I am going to Luc and Tirian's to spend the day with them, and watch Tirian open all (a lot) of his presents. I'll also be cooking, so really, tonight is the real-life equivalent of logging out in a city of an inn in WoW. I'll get rested XP next time I play.
Right now I'm watching Must Love Dogs with John Cusack and Diane Lane. God, I love both of them. Especially Diane Lane, I think she's just adorable. It's your run-of-the-mill romantic comedy, but it's somewhat entertaining. I then have another John Cusack film to watch, albeit at the other end of the spectrum, Lord Of War. I'll then tidy my apartment a bit, do some laundry, drink some more (Tazo) tea and wait for Ugo to finish work (at midnight) and come over.
I went out earlier to buy some breakfast goods for tomorrow (and also some chocolate for Tirian), along with the traditional Buche de Noel. There was a homeless man sitting on the sidewalk (yes, even in bourgeois Versailles) and he just looked so cold and so tired. He was wearing a Santa hat, however, and was calling out "Joyeux Noel!" to everyone that passed. Almost all the people ignored him. I went into the supermarket to pick up my bits and bobs and also bought a small box of soup and a mug. I then went into the bakery and bought some bread and a small quiche. The woman behind the counter asked me if I wanted the quiche heated up, so I took the soup, emptied it into the mug and handed it to her saying, "yes, and this too". I took it out to the man on the sidewalk and sat with him for a while and talked while he ate. His name is Romain and although he looks around 50, he's actually only 37. He used to be rather successful (in a modest kind of way) and was married for a few years. His wife then left him, and he found he couldn't cope. He found going to work difficult due to his depression, and after a while he was fired due to non-attendance. With no income he found paying his bills and rent difficult, and was eventually evicted. He had nowhere to go and now lives on the streets, or sometimes in shelters, "if it's really cold". This was 2 years ago. The biggest problem, he says, is reinsertion into society. "Once an SDF (sans domicile fixe [without a fixed address]), always an SDF in the eyes of those who can make a difference". He said he keeps trying to get back on his own two feet, but doors are always slammed in his face. He'll spend Christmas in a shelter, and he said he'd probably make the journey into Paris "for the occasion".
I wished him Merry Christmas, slipped him 10euros and went on my way. I'll definitely be thinking of him tomorrow.
Another person I will be thinking of is Bolorchimeg in Mongolia. I sent her a small gift a few weeks ago, but World Vision say it can take up to 2-3 months for packages and letters to arrive. I guess she will have it in time for her birthday. :)
To you all, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful time with your loved ones. I ask, however, that you spare a few moments to think of those without family, or in hardship, and then be grateful for just how lucky we all are.
Peace.
- Christmas post
-
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
rinnywee- December 24th, 2005
(Leave a comment)
(Leave a comment)
Your story of the homeless man and what you did for him brought tears to my eyes. *hugs* to you and your warm big heart.
Have a wonderful holiday season sweetheart!
Have a wonderful holiday season sweetheart!
"slipped him 10euros" I think that will be much appreciated! Many people do find themselves descending into homelessness for whatever reason, sometimes owing to circumstances in their lives flying out of control.
In London these days, we're told not to give money to those on the streets (beggars) because it will fuel more spending on drugs. It would be better though, if they advised that we should give money on the merits of each individual case! Also cropped up this time round, the question of whether Christmas shelters are a good thing - because of the short-term nature of the help offered to the homeless. This must be the first time I've heard such a thing debated. (Crisis believes there should be more - not fewer - facilities on offer over Christmas for the homeless, even if the long term benefits don’t appear to be there.)
In London these days, we're told not to give money to those on the streets (beggars) because it will fuel more spending on drugs. It would be better though, if they advised that we should give money on the merits of each individual case! Also cropped up this time round, the question of whether Christmas shelters are a good thing - because of the short-term nature of the help offered to the homeless. This must be the first time I've heard such a thing debated. (Crisis believes there should be more - not fewer - facilities on offer over Christmas for the homeless, even if the long term benefits don’t appear to be there.)
How anyone could even question whether or not Christmas shelters are a good thing is beyond me. Any help, both short-term and long term, is beneficial. Just because these shelters don't give these people jobs doesn't mean they're bad. A hot meal and companionship on a day where most people are with their families and comfortable seems pretty damned alright to me.
As for not giving money to beggars, I agree it should be judged on each individual case. More often than not I will give a sandwich, or even a Ticket Restaurant (food vouchers worth around 6 euros only useable in restaurants and some food selling places, which cannot be exchanged for cash).
As for not giving money to beggars, I agree it should be judged on each individual case. More often than not I will give a sandwich, or even a Ticket Restaurant (food vouchers worth around 6 euros only useable in restaurants and some food selling places, which cannot be exchanged for cash).
I can see both points. I'm volunteering at the Crisis Open Christmas this year, and talking to some of the guests last night, as much as they're appreciative that the facility's there for the week, in some ways it makes it very difficult to go back to where they were before. I'm definitely not looking forward to the last shift.
That said, as much as there is that drawback, to debate whether they're good things or not is ludicrous. Especially when, with the facilities on offer, the shelters can make a permanent difference.
That said, as much as there is that drawback, to debate whether they're good things or not is ludicrous. Especially when, with the facilities on offer, the shelters can make a permanent difference.
I love diane lane too, she's so pretty and just a really good actress. Under the tuscan sun is one of my favorite movies :)
and what a nice story to read, while it's true that i get really irritated by the constant panhandlers that harass me (and they do) at the grocery store and the main street, i still dissapprove of people who flat out ignore them or are mean to them.
one of the main reasons i left my first boyfriend was because he lectured me about why giving money to this homeless guy was "wrong"
and what a nice story to read, while it's true that i get really irritated by the constant panhandlers that harass me (and they do) at the grocery store and the main street, i still dissapprove of people who flat out ignore them or are mean to them.
one of the main reasons i left my first boyfriend was because he lectured me about why giving money to this homeless guy was "wrong"
merry christmas! you dont know me, but i'm from the iceland community and you're the mod... mind putting the heinously large picture post behind a cut/having a word with the poster? the pictures are gigantic and he refuses to lj-cut them!
thanks
thanks
I noticed you friended me, so I came over here to tell you that I'm adding you back :)
Also, wow, that is a very nice thing you did for that homeless man. I'm often tempted to do something like that when I walk past homeless people sitting in the streets in Oslo, but they are often very drunk and unpleasant, so I've never dared to go over and offer food or whatnot. I do occasionally give them money, though.. but I think it would be interesting to sit down and spend some time too, like you did.
Anyway.. merry christmas! ^^; *waves*
Also, wow, that is a very nice thing you did for that homeless man. I'm often tempted to do something like that when I walk past homeless people sitting in the streets in Oslo, but they are often very drunk and unpleasant, so I've never dared to go over and offer food or whatnot. I do occasionally give them money, though.. but I think it would be interesting to sit down and spend some time too, like you did.
Anyway.. merry christmas! ^^; *waves*
2005-12-24 01:35 pm (UTC)