Day 03 - Update from Steven

Email to: Eric
Subject: I'm at the library

I got a guest pass at the library and they let me use the computers...pretty sweet huh? Me and Ryan tried to go pan-handle...we played guitar for a bit, but there was literally only ONE guy who walked by. We though the tunnel by the Zoo would be a lot more crowded, but there was nobody there! :(
So now we went to the library and have been hanging out here for the last few hours, reading books and just sitting around. We are waiting for it to close. Once it closes we're going to ride the max around a bunch because it's free EVERYWHERE tonight, from 8pm until they stop going, pretty sweet! Then we plan to get off the max at around 10 and get some sleep again. I think I'm gonna go get some Raumen soon!
Hasta!

-Steven

Day 03 - Cans, Security Guards, and Taco Bell

I met up with the boys at Taco Bell today. They told me that the previous night they slept pretty well. They went to bed early at around 7 or 8pm, but were awoken by a security guard who made them find a new spot. They then slept decently until around 10am the next day at the new spot. Ryan and Steven are surviving on Ramen, 99 cent double cheeseburgers, and anything else they can scrape up. They needed some food money yesterday and they made a few dollars from collecting cans in dumpsters. Today when I met them, I gave Steven an orange I found in my car and some change I had in my pocket. I joined them for some burritos inside the Taco Bell. I got some interesting footage of them as they ate. Everyone in the restaurant was sitting on the complete opposite end of the building, purposefully avoiding them. When I left them, they were headed to the library and also were going to try to find a good place to panhandle. -Eric

Day 02 - First Night on the Street

The boys tell me that their first night went decently. They found a spot near a Panda Express to sleep, but part way through the night it started raining and they had to relocate to a dryer spot. Steven says he got about 4 hours of sleep last night. I believe Ryan got less. Their sleeping bags have kept them sufficiently warm, but when they are outside of their bags...it has been freezing. So far they have met a few other homeless people and have made a few friends. They have also been offered drugs a few times, and been asked if they knew where they could buy drugs. Steven has yet to attempt to make any money with his guitar playing skills, but they did pick up a free sack lunch from a kind stranger. Right now they are living on dry Ramen and whatever they can get for what's left of their original 10 dollars they went on the street with. When I met with them today, they were waiting for a homeless friend to visit them, and then they were headed across the river to try and make some money with the guitar. Here are a few pictures from last night as well as when I saw them today.

-Eric

Day 01 - Update

Text from the boys:

We r fine. We r going 2 church 2morow.
See u at fredys at 12. Tel our parents that we love them
- Sent at 10:36pm

Day 01 - Drop off Day

We awoke at around 9am with the intention of packing up and leaving around 10. Jordan Phillips showed up to assist with camerawork while I was driving, he met us around 9:40. We brought everything down to the car and we finally left at around 10:20am. We headed to McDonalds for a quick final breakfast. Both Steven and I have pretty bad colds, so we thought it would be a good idea for him to get some cold medicine to bring along with him, so we went to Fred Meyer. Next, we drove to downtown Portland. It wasn't too cold out, however it was raining a bit. We parked near the intersection Park and Couch Street and they unloaded their belongings and they headed off across town. So far, things are going well. They forgot to bring journals with them, so I'm going to pick up journaling materials and give it to them tomorrow when I do my checkup/memory card swap. Until then...
-Eric

Day 00 - The Last Supper

Steven, Ryan and I trekked up I-5 and arrived safely at our Newberg destination. After unpacking a few things at my apartment, we headed off to Good Will to load up on a few essentials such as water bottles, and some extra clothing. After a brief trip to Beaverton, we returned to Newberg for "the last supper"...which consisted of 9 Gordita Supremes, 3 small drinks, a fiesta potatoes, and a bean burrito. Tomorrow is the big day. At around 11, we plan to leave and head to Fred Meyer to pick up journal materials. Drop off time is scheduled for around 12:30ish. So far...all is well.
-Eric