I totally forgot to give a little "review" on the book I got from Shari and Bill, Nomadland by Jessica Bruder (THANK YOU! Not yelling, of course ...)
Well, it´s actually a reference to how we lived on our travels throughout Australia, and how we live in Germany.
Some things really shocked me, I nearly cried just reading the foreword.
Like "Would you rather have food or dental work?". In Germany no one would ask you this.
This is about a "low-cost labour pool", made of older adults.
We lived in cars, cause we choose to, we wanted to be free, that´s all. Slept for free on rest-areas or in side roads. Bought food at the grocery, cooked and I brought home so much money, my parents, who presented me with this six-months journey, couldn´t believe it (and gave me the rest for a second, 7-months-trip).
I am a spoiled brat. They assumed we´ll live in youth hostels and such. But it was (cold) public showers etc of course instead, all for free.
The book says there is a "wheel estate". The people are not home-, "just" houseless, they try to stay proud. Telling themselves, "something better will come".
Work conditions are better in Germany, too, if women still in some places get less money for the same job than a man.
They make everything a habit, even working 11+ hours and 1 1/2 hours of driving.
They build "Earthships", walls give electricity etc, they say connect with the planet, not leave it, oh, yes.
Amazon now makes TV-ads here and Ingo said I cannot compare the work here for them to America, where the staff is called "camperforce", it´s "a shadow economy".
Amazon offers free pain killers for the hard work there.
Amazon hires older workers "because they bring good work ethic" - well, that might be true, just don´t ask for the reasons.
The Nomads say, "home is where the hug is", a nice saying. They work till they can no more.
There is a reference to German statesman von Bismarck who created the world´s first age insurance in 1889 (which likely we will not see much of. Here retirees collect recycle-bottles to add to their pension!).
Monopoly had a square "poorhouse", later "free parking space". It´s a "wheel estate".
There is help, like cheapRVliving.com.
I read on the balcony, but looked it just up... They either are ironic or really just try to make the best of it, you are greeted with "Welcome to the Best Times of Your Life."
There is FreeCampsites.net - stay for free.
Amazon tracks time and tells you off if you´re too slow, they choose "disposable people" versa loyal employees (hello, new boss kicked me out after 17 years).
In summer that living is "OK", but in winter...
They have "Springbreak for seniors" ... better than "Poor man´s Palm Springs"...
A woman named Chere ate only half a Hamburger to give the other to her dog.
In the "Amazoo" they all help each other, share books on how to make a better life.
"The plan is there is no plan."
Police helps, luckily (happened to us, too).
Some more good vibes, "Thriving, not surviving", "Feel like a kid again!"
They care as a "vanily", they share wisdom, jokes, campfires & coffee".
At the end is a longer list of help-sites.
This is good. And sad.
This book is titled by the New Yorker as "A remarkable book".
Henry 🦁
He is mad at how so many people, who worked already all their lifes, are not allowed to enjoy their older age... If he could... he would build them steady homes. Homes, with which you can easily travel. I saw docus on that.
It was a remarkable book for sure.
28 comments:
I haven't read the book, but I did try to watch the movie. I gave up about halfway, it was very monotonous, the scenery, the voices, the nothingness, all the same. I am glad to live in Australia, even though we have homeless people here, usually the elderly retired people are better off than those in the movie.
What a thought provoking subject in that book. Like you, I have stories I could tell. I used to travel a LOT. I wanted to go to NYC to see the opening of the Statue of Liberty after it had been closed for several years due to renovations. To save money for the trip, I ate 1 lb of carrots and 1/3 jar of peanut butter a week. That and my coffee were all I had for FOUR months. I haven't eaten a raw carrot since then. When I traveled, I stayed overnight in rest areas. Unlike you, I had to clean up in the rest room of the rest areas. It was hard washing my hair in the sink, but I did it every day, I got good at taking baths in a sink, too. One time I went to Florida and it was so sticky there, I ended up getting a motel room just so I could take a bath and a shower the next morning. Believe me, I was NOT spoiled, but I have worked all my life and have never rented a home. I don't believe in letting others get my money when I can still take care of myself. Yes, the homeless are a problem, but it is NOT their fault. I think I would LOVE to read that book. It sounds like a lifestyle I am sort of familiar with, but I will never be homeless. btw, I eat a lot of ramen noodles because they are cheap.
River, yes, we met many a "grey nomad" in Australia. Always a nice chat (well, apart from "that´s CANBRA!"-yell, LOL).
In Perth I sadly saw people living in the street.
Sad the movie was not good. The book was.
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Elizabeth, oh, boy, carrots and peanut butter. Well, that´s better than burger from MaD.
Yes, we were always happy when we found free restrooms, other we had a solar shower on the roof. Yupp, we have those noodles here as well. And chopsticks :-)
Thank you. Now I want to read that book. See if I can find it
It is an interesting read for sure.
Good review.
We too have some homeless people living in the street but I think there are more now since the pandemic started. I haven't come across this book. I don't read much these days.
ashok, thank you
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Nancy, it´s sad to live in the street, is even worse...
Good review. Now I am curious to read the book.
...I have heard of this book. The lifestyle may be good for those who enjoy it, but it's sad if you are forced to live this way. I enjoy my home!
Glad you found the book eye-opening. It's definitely different when one is choosing to live a certain way than it is when things are forced upon us.
I read the book and watched the movie recently, and I'm glad you found the book interesting. I thought the movie was excellent, especially the performance by Frances MacDormand, but maybe too subtle for some viewers. It won three Academy Awards and various other awards.
Amazon has a lot to answer for, but in fact they hire many workers on a permanent basis, not just the temps in the book, who live in their vans. Unfortunately all are overworked and underpaid, which is a scandal and discussed constantly in the media.
My review is here:
https://maefood.blogspot.com/2021/08/recent-reading.html
best... mae
I can't imagine living like that.
Black Knight, yes, give it a go.
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Tom, yes, that was the point I was trying to make (or made, as you got it :-)...)
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Shari, yes, exactly.
In 2006 on the bus the driver was 71 - he worked because he wanted to (his wife had passed and he needed to have something useful to do).
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Mae (I made a comment "back then" on your blog) - yes, Amazon has a lot to answer.
Free pain killers... that says it all. Good it´s in the media.
William, in a warm country it´s great to travel that way.
You get used to it ... well, us... in no time. You´re free!
I've heard of this book. It is sad that in one of the most wealthy countries in the world people live like this and have to pick between food and dental work or other healthcare. Healthcare is such an argument too. Why? Isn't it important to have a healthy population, as well as an educated one? It's sad when people fall through the cracks. Thanks for sharing. hugs-Erika
Erika, I so agree with you. I have to have private insurance as I have no work - usually your boss pays half here.
Education sadly goes down the drain here. Not everywhere of course, but in many places as migrants refuse to learn German (or manner) and the poor teachers... oh, they fight hard. No idea how "Corinna" interfered in this sector, you don´t hear much about that no more in the news.
But there were fun passages to read, too. Hugs! Glad we can afford a good life-style.
I agree with Erika. I think we're becoming more aware of these situations as we see more disparity between those that have (a lot!) and those that have none.
Yes, same here, everywhere.
And those who have a lot don´t even have to do much for it or take responsibility. See Winterkorn (ex-VW-boss) or politicians...
Good review, Iris. It's sad if that is the only option you have to get by. If it's not Amazon taking advantage of people then it's someone else. All they care about is the bottom line no matter how old you are. Glad you enjoyed reading about the people's experiences. It's sad but now more people will know about it via the movie or the book. Enjoy your evening!
I haven't read the book but the movie was quite popular and highly awarded during the award season last year. It sounds like a fascinating book and I appreciated your review.
Bill, thank you, yes. I hope Amazon has to make better conditions. Pain killers for free. Awful. Working when you deserve to retire...
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Jeanie, I only learned through Shari and Bill of it, in Germany it wasn´t popular, how sad.
I'll add that book to my list on my tablet and will probably download it at some point. There's nothing cheap about travelling aye
Gas and food, that was all :-)
I will look this up too. Here in the US if you are old and don't have enough money for medical you are just out of luck. Right now, I have to find $500.00 to pay for a back procedure I need. I am very upset and with my business closed I just don't have the money. I have to make a choice of paying rent, buying food, or getting my back fixed. It's a hard way to live and many many people live this way and worse.
I didn't know there was a book but have heard of the movie. Will have to look for it.
I saw the movie. I wonder if the movie follows the book closely? Your right, a HUGE difference between living on the road because you want to, and you want to enjoy the experience, vs. being forced to do it. I was sad after watching the movie.
Nicole, this is truly awful. I kinda didn´t expect to really "know" someone who is in these darn troubles.
Can´t you sell your art online?
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RedPat, it´s a good read, if at times... sad and shocking, because it´s real.
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Spare Parts and Pics, yes, I was shocked and sad. And thankful for living here in Germany, even though I often see "the bad" here. We´re actually lucky.
I hope. Who knows what the future´ll bring.
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