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Here is my introduction about how I encountered the Tribe:
Techno-Gypsies
TURNING
POINT
About 10 o'clock three cars came in at Lake Onteora,
quietly. Fishermen? No. People got in and out and rearranged
things. Then it got quiet again.
OK. Lovers then. But they didn't leave! A
lot of stamina? And didn't leave! Sleep claimed me, but I got
up about 3AM cold and needing to pee. They were still there.
Curiouser and curiouser!
About 6 o'clock it was light enough to go down to check
out the lake. It was dead calm – like a mirror, with the far shore
reflected perfectly. A few rain clouds coming over the eastern hill.
I started a handful of charcoal brickets in the (clay flower pot) to
fix a little breakfast. About then the young couple from one one car
and rearranged the interior of their sedan, then started a pot of
coffee over a Primus stove. They were very friendly and invited me
over for a cup of coffee. They were originally from Texas and had
been on the road, living out of their car for nearly 2 years. Their
story was that they lost their jobs and had nowhere to live
but the car.
It was live in the car, on the streets, and be
victimized by the police and thugs; or go on the road
and live out of the car in forests and parks. They chose the road. At
first they were going from town to town, looking for a steady
job. No joy there!
So, they decided, “To hell with it! We're doing
OK. Not 'getting ahead', but not getting behind either.
Before, we thought we were getting 'ahead', and actually we were
digging a hole of debt. We're young, and our lives are good.
Let's keep doing what we are doing, and see what happens.”
So that's what they are doing. They go where the mood
takes them and when they like an area, or run short on money, they
stop and look for whatever work they can get, part time or rough,
whatever. It doesn't have to pay a lot, they only have car; operation
expenses, food, and personal expenses. Well, they pay a little in tax
and Social Security. For medical, if they ever need it, they use ACA
and pay the “tax”. So far they haven't needed it.
Their names are Ralph and Delia (I think), late
20's. They are reticent about giving last names and much history.
They say most road people have a couple of “don'ts”. Don't get on
the grid, and don't get on the governments computers.
They deal in cash and barter.
While we talked the other 2 couples got up and started
their breakfasts. One couple was middle aged and he had lost his
business and they lost their home. They just went into shock, took
their personal stuff, and ran. When they came back to reality they
were about out of money, parked in a National Forest in the
Northwest, and wondering, “What happened!?”
They met several people in the site who took them in and
explained it all. “The System let you down.” (Or Betrayed
you.) An older (yet) couple paid Oscar (the man) for helping repair
their car. A couple of young men showed them how to re-rig their
sedan for living and explained the minimum for camping. Then the
group explain the basics about living on the road.
First – Cut your baggage (emotional and
possessions) to a bare minimum. “Stuff” is a millstone and will
drag you down.
Second – Don't worry about “history”.
Other peoples' and your own. History is the past and can't be
changed. Live today the best you can. Don't ask, and don't tell.
Third – Money is useful – but not an
end in it's self. Keep a certain amount always in reserve,
maybe $500. for emergencies, otherwise let it come and go like the
tide. Work any job you can as long as it's honorable. Barter if you
can. Do yard work for garden vegetables. Don't let you money leak
away either. Small amounts drain you – and your resources.
Fourth – Don't get into any
entanglements, monitory or emotional. They never turn
out well, and may destroy you.
Fifth – Remember. You are guests on the
Earth and in Society. You're not owed anything. Be
responsible. Clean up your own messes. Keep the rules. Be friendly
and courteous. Don't over stay your welcome.
Six – We are all a Clan and need to be
mindful of each other, as much as we can. Don't cause trouble. Take
care of each other, you may need someone someday. Share resources and
information.
Seven – Keep
your head down! Keep
below the radar and your name off the grid. If you get noticed,
somebody will try to
corral you and tax you.
The other couple got out of their SUV and wandered over.
They were in their 30's, male, and more close mouthed. One had worked
in the computer business in California and his partner seems to have
been a house wife. He lost his job and they had heard about people
living on the road – so they just took off.
All these people have some expertise, their cars,
computers, GPS, and cell phones. They're sort of “Techno-gypsies”.
(My term) A growing movement. One which may be well worth
documenting.
:To the body and mind which have been cramped by
noxious work or company, nature is medicinal and restores their tone.
The tradesman, the attorney comes out of the din and craft of the
street and sees the sky and the woods, and is a man again. In their
eternal calm, he finds himself .” Emerson
Actually that was 3 months ago. I'm working on the book,
“Haunted Historic Hudson”, my Journal, and have combined the
projects Hunting for America and Techno-Gypsies: A Modern Diaspora
in the planned road trip – now scheduled for the spring.
The 2 y/o we're raising needs to go to bed now.
Ciao for now. M.
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