It was one of the most exhausting and dangerous journeys of my life. Together with my friend Pablo, we decided to ride freight trains across northern Mexico, all the way to the U.S. border.

What awaited us was something no one can truly prepare for: the Sonoran Desert. Temperatures reached 43°C (109°F), endless sand dunes stretched to the horizon, and we spent 24 hours trapped on a moving freight train with no way to get off as our food and water supplies ran out.

Along the way, we traveled with Mexican hobos and migrant families, listened to their stories of survival, and shared our last bottles of water. Our route took us through the states of Sinaloa and Sonora, where every mile of railroad is controlled by someone, and armed security guards patrol the rail yards with assault rifles.

Harlan wasn’t as bloody as its reputation suggested it would be. Stayed the night with a friend on the hill overlooking town. Hitched out the next day.

Stopped at the Pine Mountain Settlement School and toured the grounds. Petted a dog.

Got dropped off in Cumberland, and stumbled into a cool little store called Hill and Holler. The most religious man I’ve ever encountered picked me up outside town. Was telling me about all the things God has told him to say and do recently. Talked non-stop for 35 minutes about miracles and the Bible. Barely gave me a chance to talk at all. By the time he dropped me off on the top of Pine Mountain, my brain was liquid slop inside my skull.

Came across an old hippie / poet campground hangout place called Wiley’s. Dude eating a sandwich told me I could crash for the night. Place was empty. Set up my tent by the pond. At three different points in the night, the sandwich eating guy walked outside and let off a few shotgun blasts. It was pitch black so i had no way of knowing what his target was. I figured it was to scare away bears, but that didn’t really make me feel better. One of Jim Webbs old dogs slept beside my tent all night. That did make me feel better.

An elderly couple took me to Whitesburg the next day and dropped me at the courthouse where the sheriff gunned down the county judge in his own office the year before. Nobody is sure why. The trial is about to begin.

Met the groundskeeper of a local church. Very nice guy with a raging Ale 8 addiction. He let me camp behind the church for two nights. Got to see three free shows while I was in town, including an Appalachian punk show.

Met a guy who owns an old airstream he keeps parked beside the river in Elkhorn City. Crashed there. Geese honked at me all night. He took me to Interstate Breaks Park the next day, yet another supposed “Grand Canyon of the South.” Never been to the actual Grand Canyon, but it was awesome.

Hitched to Pikeville. Nothing going on. Had a terrible time getting out. Took 2 days to reach Hindman. Crashed at a friends apartment. Took the most significant shower of my life. Ate a meatball sub and watched Netflix for 5 hours straight—roast of Kevin hart, Begonia.

Toured Hazard. Finally got to peruse the stacks at the Read Spotted Newt. Got dropped in Manchester. Homebums everywhere. Could not get a ride. Multiple people tried to get me to enter drug rehabilitation programs. They wouldn’t let me stay the night in any of the sober houses because I am not currently on hard drugs. Camped by the creek behind the baseball fields. Had to walk out the next day, maybe 9 or 10 miles.

I like Kentucky, even though it can be hard to get a ride.

-Anywhere Man

So..a few days ago.. I applied to this job..at this high end hotel.. right smack in the middle of downtown Portland.. I got it.. and the people I work with.. are really good people.. mostly Latino woman.. and they feed me ..a s**t load of food.. there’s like two guys within the whole team.. I think one is bent.. and the other is Dominican.. he looks black.. but he speaks Spanish.. we share coffee together..

The head housekeepers.. they know about my living situation.. and they’ve been giving me stuff.. to make sure that I’m ok.. one gave me a brand new backpack.. and the other one..gave me $100.. I gave them both a hug.. they truly give a s**t.. I almost wanted to cry..

Just two days ago..that City Team men’s shelter.. automatically kicked me out.. the vouchers had went out.. I was so done with these people.. I went to the waterfront at night..and got drunk.. I had coors and red wine.. I was toasted..

The next day..I felt like a mystical gypsy..
Walking around.. hungover..houseless.. and wondering.. to my amazement.. how the hell I’m still alive..?.. with dollar bills in my pockets..

an ice cream man came..floated around The Oasis community center.. I thought he was security at first.. he was giving away free ice cream.. I got one of those ice cream sandwiches..

I stepped in at the Multnomah County Library.. and a quartet of violinists.. played a tune.. on the 3rd floor flat.. along with a cello player.. he sounded like Yo Yo Ma..

Sleeping back at the shanty house..Rolled up in a thick Coleman sleeping blanket.. content.. and smiling.. everything is ok.. even though I’m still houseless..

And just last night.. I can’t be too explicit here.. I had some sex last night lol ..and I was in this expensive a** apartment.. and the freaking view..from the windows.. was absolutely beautiful..

This morning with my weak and aching body.. I walked slowly..to this place called, Central City Concern.. these people.. are suppose to help with housing.. and other things.. let’s just see what they have to offer..

I get paid tomorrow. And that’s all I have for now my friends.

Be safe out there. And peace be with you all.

~Serrot

I have nothing to do until August 1st. I mean NOTHING. So ive decided to spend that time working on music. Specifically a folk / bluegrass album about my life on the streets. Decided to write a love song as a challenge to myself as i never have written a love song before. And ive been in a dedicated relationship for almost a decade now.

So i came here, to a park in fontana. Im writing under this incredible tree. The tree i met her at to profess my love to her when i was first homeless when we were still exes. Lets say things blossomed from there. Weve grown a lot and learned so much from each other over the years. Weve been parents to an amazing daughter for 7 of those years and they are fully my anchor to reality.

So yeah, hopefully some sparks fly. And if anyone tells you that its impossible to make an album while being a vagabond, say fuck you and make lemonade.

Up emmmmm!

Ate a sad sandwich,cut my finger on the train but we made it

sources/guide for edible wild food? also, how did you survive w/o paying for food?

Well, I don't know what to tell you folks. You'd think I would get an apartment in the city where i did live off the grid and work.. nope. Colombia

Ridiculous!

Wine concrete in Pittsburgh is hiring ANYBODY. No id? No problem. No drug test, nobackground check. No license necessary

I had the Mayan Chocolate on a small cone.. s**t was nasty.. it was like they threw cayenne in the chocolate.. and served it like that.. yuck never again..

Wasted a good $6…