Wednesday.
Summer, sunshine, climbing temperatures. It's almost getting uncomfortably warm in the afternoon now.
The walks in the morning and evening are super pleasant, but I also went for a walk in the midday heat today.
The afternoon walk was tainted by a saddening encounter, though. If you don't want to bother yourself with a downer, just scroll past the wall of text and enjoy the picture of the sunny wheat field.
I walked into the forest, where the temperature is much more bareable, as I entered I saw something laying in the middle of the trail further ahead. As I came closer it became clear it was a person.
At first I though it might be an elderly person that had fallen but as I rushed closer it was a homeless guy, now hastily struggling to get up as he notices me approaching.
A young dude, completely exhausted, dirt in his face, wearing a thick torn winter coat. I asked if he needed any help but he seemed uncomfortable with my attention as he collected his backpack and plastic bags full of empty bottles from the ground.
He asked me where the next supermarket would be, his voice was soft yet clear but his eyes seemed unable to focus. I think he wasn't really looking for the supermarket but rather trying to divert the situation and justify himself being there?!
I gave him my half emptied bottle of water that I was carrying, which he initially refused but then immediately drank a huge gulp. He was probably having a heat stroke or something. It didn't look like he was on drugs.
I tried to explain to him where the town and the supermarket would be, but he seemed determined to go the other way, further into the woods.
He appeared to be uncomfortable with my attention, maybe ashamed, so I left him with the rest of my water and wishing him good luck and the strength to carry on as I continued on my walk.
Still worried about the dude I circled back after a short while but didn't see him again anywhere.
I hope he made it to wherever he was going and didn't collapse in the heat again?! Maybe I should have been more insisting on helping him. I could have told him to sit tight for 15 minutes and could have brought him some more water and some sugary fruits or so. I am kind of worried still. I don't want to find a dead body in the woods.
It messes with my head to think about how fucked up life can get if you're down on your luck and all by yourself for a while.
It's a cruel world.
Sorry for the downer, here's some sunshine in the wheat fields.
Thanks for your time!
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