Always talk to the crazy people

   

"I like Jesus, but his fan club sucks"

    If there's something I've learned in my little bit of travelling its how to network. There is only one way to really see the places you visit and that is to put yourself out there, talk to everyone. When you can recognize immediately the people who are willing to do the same in the places you go, you've found the best guides to a new city.

        As I rode around yesterday I crossed paths with hundreds of thousands of people, either cruising by on my bike or walking through a busy shopping district. Its easy to realize that they are all in their own little worlds, as was I. They are simply an existence to me and everyone else who does not know them. Surely plenty of them are happy, maybe some of them yearn for more, but most are likely perfectly content. Honestly though, they don't really interest me. Yes, I would consider some people attractive. Note physical features, as it makes me very happy to see someone taller than me, and sometimes make little scenarios for the group of people sitting at a table eating or for the older gentleman walking along side a pretty young woman.

        What I spend a lot more time thinking about is what else is going on in this city. All the tourists and I'm sure even a significant number of the residents really don't know what is going on. That is why you have to look past the surface. Past the sea of faces surrounding you. Look for someone that stands out a little bit more. Obviously outgoing and willing to show you a good time. As was the case as I walked my bike into Stephansplatz on Saturday afternoon.

        I'm sure everyone has seen a street performer before. Likely someone playing guitar, singing, drumming on some buckets or selling a joke. As I entered the busy area of town I pass a few people in costume, to take a picture with and drop a coin, a group of b-boys (break dancers), a puppeteer with hands full of marionette. Not all working at once as I come to find out, as they all know each other and discuss rotation. Although sometimes, communication is lost in the eyes of money and turns on a argument between performers as to who will be next. With shows ranging from 10 to 40 minutes the timing seems to work itself out and all of them will make plenty of money. After all, this is their job.

        Pretty soon after coming into the square I heard someone yelling. Not angrily. Just trying to get peoples attention, with what was easily recognizable as an Irish accent. I see a man, just shorter than average height, wearing an ivy hat, black cargo pants, chucks and a black t-shirt. He's laid down a length of chain to mark out his performing area. Working up a crowd with jokes, taunts, and a rather large horn; the one a clown would be honking as he drives around his tiny car, a big piece of brass with a loop in the center and a black rubber ball on the back. He beckons the crowd up to the line saying "the police will shut me down if you don't come up to the line", something almost every performer said. After a few minutes, he has a crowd of about 200 people.. Small compared to shows later in the day. He starts with his act, chasing pretty ladies that walk through, hitting on the ones already there, slowly building his audience. The bigger the group, the bigger the payoff.

        "Chicken Joe" introduces himself and gives his pitch. In this show he manages to fit his body through a tennis racket, a feat likely more impressive when he was younger. Keeping the crowds attention chasing after people with arms stuck up in the air, dropping to the ground in playboy-esque poses, using lines like "My mother is so proud" and "Its O.K., I'm your real father".

        The show is entertaining. His jokes are rude, and sometimes probably go just a little to far. But hey, why not. He goes on to have 2 volunteers put him in a straight coat, and wrap the 13 meters of chain around his body, through his legs and around the neck. a padlock is attached and he works his way out. No surprise I'm still standing there. Its fun, it's a nice day out, I've got time to kill.

        Before his show ends I walk up a small street where I see a sign for Pizza. Rather impressed by the portions, I still grab two slices, with a coke. I walk out and notice immediately a couple cutting theirs up and eating it with a fork. I played big american with two extra large slices, picked up by hand and folded in half. I thought about double fisting it, putting the first corners of both pieces in at the same time but decided to just enjoy.

        Watching people pass, eating, I sit and think about "Chicken Joe". He was charming, but looked run down. You could see he had been around, with habits the only helped the aging process. His show was slightly clumsy, although surely at one time more refined. I remembered his satchel, full of goods, with only a couple used. What other kind of things does this guy do. Why is he doing them. I consider myself a pretty good judge of character, perhaps not the best, but good enough to know that he was more or less harmless. To be honest, I really just wanted to meet the guy.

        15 minutes or so had passed since I left the ring of people and as I came back into the square I saw him packing up his bag. I grabbed a few euro from my pocket and walked up to him...





Alright readers,

I don't believe I've ever actually written about my accounts before. This is something that just kind of came out, but in an effort to keep things interesting, I'd like some feedback. Is it time for, The Rest of the Story? or should I can it and keep showing my pretty face.

Thanks for your time,
Christian