Many moons ago, I mentioned how I hung out at Hunter Connection in Wynyard. (See also: my Hunter post from 2021). They have a nice selection of cuisines and are strategically located next to my chiropractor. However, sometimes, we get more than we bargained for. The first time I saw her was when I was munching on Hungry Jacks. The fast food chain is our version of Burger King. I was almost finished with my Sunday supper when this haggard looking lady approached. The person masticating loudly beside me was a white lady of unknown origin. She had a noticeable accent.

The kindness of Accent

The other lady hovered near Accent, before asking for some chips. This exchange continued throughout my supper. After munching on a few chips, Accent told the lady that she could have the rest of it. Lady then took a seat and enjoyed her whoppers. To be honest, the lady had seen better days. She wasn’t going to win America’s Next Top Model. No offence, but she looked like someone who’d escaped from a cancer ward. Her skin was peeling off and her hair was unkempt. Her getup reminded me a bit of Dobby the house elf in Harry Potter. Maybe she borrowed the former’s potato sack. Who knows?

Sister for lunch

My sister had seen lady. She admitted to giving her food, although she did suppose that she didn’t know what lady was. Sister said that there was actually two of her kind. The other was a similar looking hombre. They usually go round that area, she told me. Is this one big joke? Did someone put her up to this? Is that skin real, or did she utilise heavy makeup?

Two choices

Once, I ordered two choices with fried rice. I usually get a viand with veggies on the side. I was almost done with the meal. About to deposit the leftovers to the garbage can, the lady stopped me. I left my tray, chock full of bok choy stalks, on the table. I then saw her feasting on the so-called ‘Chinese broccoli.’ Quick aside: though she was happy to consume the stalks, I felt that I could’ve done more. I was so locked in that I didn’t notice her lurking beside me. Otherwise, I’d have given her my lunch.

Hunter Connection is slated to be history. The once bustling building will be converted to a metro stop. Most of the shops have left. Some were lucky to relocate, while others bit the dust. I wonder what will happen to lady and hombre. Perhaps they will find another Flushing Meadows.

Accent (again)

I have to admit that Accent impressed me. She isn’t even a local but she acted better than the majority. Perhaps she had similar experiences in her home country? Perhaps she is a really altruistic soul. Regardless, homelessness is real. You’d think that great leaps forward in wizard technology would translate to better opportunities for everyone. You’d think that living in the West would mean all would have a fair go. You’d believe that ‘Ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind.’

Pertinent world issues

People talk about climate change a lot. There is increased investment into solar panels and electric cars. You see Greta Thunberg addressing the United Nations. Renewables are suddenly cool and companies get a big tick for being carbon neutral and sustainable. Then there’s women empowerment and Malala. Trending stories and hashtags have defined inclusiveness. The big problem remains. How can we be good denizens when we cringe at the less fortunate?

There’s a passage in the Good Book that goes, ‘Whatever you do to the least of your brethren, you do to Me.’ Another quote: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ I’m not asking you to sponsor a child nor to regularly contribute to a charity. If you just try to be a better person, that’s one step to going to nirvana. If you have more, then give more. Always remember that God sees what we’re doing. Everything that you do to the poor, you do to Him. Kindly mull that over while you’re snacking on Macca’s.