This is a note and a common practice from the less fortunate in Barcelona. To paraphrase, it translates to “I have two children, one is 13 and the youngest is 7. My wife is deceased and I have no work. Life is very hard. Please help me. Thank you!” They go up and down the aisle of the train or metro and place a lighter or a small package of kleenex with their note on empty seats, window sills, or anywhere that someone might notice. Their hope is that you read the note, donate, and take the lighter or kleenex as a gift. Usually two minutes later, they come back your way and collect all the notes they left, hoping to make eye contact with people who want to donate, as they humbly and depressingly makes their way past a herd of people who give them the Casper treatment. This is one of the many forms of panhandling that can be seen in Barcelona.

The homeless epidemic is alive and well, probably now more than ever before. Homelessness no longer effects only drug-ridden people and poverty-stricken areas. You will find homeless people of all ages, colors, and sizes in the suburbs or in the city of any country you visit. In Spain alone, the homeless population is just under 40,000. FORTY THOUSAND. That’s almost quadruple what it was back in 2008. Times are hard and life is happening to everyone.

I've had the pleasure of chatting with homeless people and a couple who were one bad situation away from ending up on the streets as well. And I say “pleasure” because man, is it inspiring to hear from people who lost everything except for HOPE. Can you imagine the mental strength it takes to fight for

your life everyday and find ways to provide for yourself with the little you have? You want to be humbled? Try sharing your problems with a homeless person and see how foolish you sound. I felt compelled to write this because when people think of Barcelona, of course they imagine the beautiful, gorgeous coastal city, but I wanted to try and paint the full picture. The harsh reality is that the streets are littered with stories of unfortunate circumstances of people subjected to a small bowl of coins and a cardboard sign.

Just last weekend, I was in a rush to get back home and was trying to make the next train connection coming in a few minutes. Random, but something I love about the contrast between London transit and Barcelona transit is everything is much more laid back

here. You’re at a great risk of getting trampled over in London if you’re going any less than 100 mph... just an approximation, but I’m sure it’s more. So I caught myself power-walking at London-pace when I saw a man calmly crouched in a corner, a little cardboard sign in Spanish and a look of hopelessness on his face. I made eye contact. And there was no way I could ignore the despair that was transmitted during that stare. Without thinking twice, I approached him and asked, “¿Tienes hombre?” (Are you hungry?) Delighted, he answered "Si!" So I ask, “¿Qué quieres?” (What do you want?) And he answers, “Queso sandwich” while trying to hold back a smile. And thank God it was something I understood, because remember, my Spanish is just a level above pathetic. 

As he’s sitting near the outside of a bakery, I go inside and order and later bring him back the food on a tray with ice-cold water to combat the typical Barcelona sun. I wish I could’ve stayed to chat, but I was already running late, so I said “Buenos suerte” (Good luck) and by then, I lost count of how many times he thanked me. I reply with my favorite Catalan phrase “No passa res!” (Don’t worry) and then I walked off feeling like a million bucks and a Nutella sandwich. But after about 10 steps or so, I wanted to glance back to see how much he was enjoying the sandwich and to my surprise, I see 3 people come forward (one by one) and drop some coins in his bowl.

Did I start a chain reaction? Who knows and who cares! But sometimes it takes seeing someone do good for someone else that tugs at your heart to do the same.

I want to think that people are inherently good, but sometimes it takes a little convincing. Now the skeptic in us all hesitates to give to the homeless because we think they'll use the money to buy alcohol, drugs, or anything that might've contributed to their current situation. But here's the mind-blowing thing... what if they DON'T?! Why let our negative preconceived notions dominate our minds and dictate our actions?

But in case you still fall into the skeptic category, or you yourself don't have money to spare (times are hard, and as someone who invested everything to continue living abroad, I completely understand). So here are some ways to help the homeless without giving monetarily. Life always gives to the giver, so... your move, champ.

1. 1)Don't finish your meal and give them the rest of it. They starve daily. You can afford to starve for a couple hours.
   

2. 2)Give them a blanket or jacket you no longer use or wear. The colder temperatures are coming, they will need to stay warm if they sleep outside (this means carrying it with you, or when you see someone you want to give it to, run home and grab it, and then make them a sandwich or snack while you're at it).
   

3. 3)If you're traveling in a foreign country and you’ve converted more money than you needed, spend the last hour of your time in the city finding homeless people to give it to.
   

4. 4)Give them reassurance, tell them that everything will be ok and to never give up. And please don't judge. Surprisingly, people are learning this doesn't cost a thing either!
   

5. 5)And last but not least, give them a smile, it's FREE as well! You share the same human race as this person. Have the decency to treat them like another person and not a stray animal.
   

To everyone who read this, go and do something listed in this post for a homeless person this week. And then message me and tell me about it! Try and make friendly chat with them after too. Who knows when's the last time someone said “hello” or “good morning” instead of “get a freakin’ job” to them? Hope for humanity is a good deed away, and it starts with our treatment towards people who can do nothing for us in exchange. They are HOMELESS, not HOPELESS. Help them realize that. It's easy to donate $10 to ALS because it was trendy and all the "cool kids" did it. But what if we made giving to homeless people a “thing"?

I nominate everyone. GO.

FOR MY NEXT POST, I’M ANSWERING 10 QUESTIONS FROM YOU GUYS ABOUT ALL THINGS TRAVEL, SPAIN, OR GLO-RELATED. SO SEND ME YOUR QUESTIONS AND I’LL BE ANSWERING THEM HERE FOR EVERYONE. AS ALWAYS, THANKS FOR READING AND DON’T FORGET TO SHARE WITH A FRIEND! :)

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