standing in a bar . A string of fairy lights and an old guitar hang from the ceiling , two old-timers are sitting in the corner watching TV . To the right behind a clapboard countertop stands a shirtless man – weather-beaten skin covered in tattoos , shoulder-length hair , grey goatee and kind eyes .
‘ Welcome to the Ponderosa Saloon . I ’ m Spyder – and this is Jimmy ,’ says the bartender , pointing to a short , roundish man before stretching out his hand for a shake . ‘ You thirsty ? We have beer or beer – what will it be ?’ deny himself these basic needs . After all , as a species , these are the things that we crave the most , it ’ s ingrained in our DNA – shelter , safety , security . There was not much safety or security out here , at least not that I could see . Then again , perhaps he was on to something . Desert living means less – out here , you ’ re stripped away from the noise of modern living and its constant bombardment of unrealistic social comparisons and expectations .
I am about to answer when the familiar red and white of a Budweiser is placed in front of me . ‘ What brings you all the way out here ?’ asks Spyder .
‘ Lack of a better idea ?’ I venture . ‘ To be honest , I just quit my job and figured the best way to celebrate would be a trip across the States .’ This answer is greeted by warm applause from Jimmy and the two old-timers in the back . This is rather shocking as most people I had told about my departure from the tax-paying life looked at me as if I were telling some sort of sordid joke . This is the first time my decision has been met without judgement . Clearly employment isn ’ t high on the priority list around here .
Spyder gives me a knowing look ‘ Seems you understand , which not very many people do these days .’
I ’ m still trying to figure out this pearl of desert wisdom when he says , ‘ Come on , let me show you around .’ We walk , and he talks , pointing out various features of his encampment .
I ’ ve been here seven years . Back then I had one trailer and a tent . The rest of this stuff just sort of materialised as time went by . I never asked for any of it . You see , it ’ s a community out here ; we all help each other out . I think a lot of folks in this country should look at that ."
There are a million questions burning through my brain but I don ’ t ask any of them . It feels wrong , deeply wrong to question their way of life . The more I listen to him speak , the more it becomes clear that Spyder , like so many other folks out here , is simply misunderstood . Either that or he is totally insane . Seven years of choosing to remove himself from the ease and security of a nineto-five job , credit cards and the white picket fence – ideals that so many people believe in . Surely no sane man would by choice
Perhaps he had the ability to see past all the clutter . After all , most of us spend money we don ’ t have on things we don ’ t need , to impress people we don ’ t know . In this case , less really was more . Thoughts and focus could shift onto the immediate as that ’ s all there is , all there needs to be . Don ’ t worry about yesterday , that ’ s past ; don ’ t worry about tomorrow , that ’ s not here yet ; in fact just don ’ t worry . A radical thought dawns on me : I could be speaking to one of the last truly free men in America .
Slab City exists truly on the fringe . There ’ s nothing to legitimise its existence , federally or otherwise . Just a few concrete slabs left over from when the army had a base here back in the 1960s . What ’ s important to note is that these people are here by choice . They seek no pity . In fact , I believe if there is any pity to be given , it is they who would pity us , and our belief that richness can only be attained through ever-expanding bank balances . I sense something else – could it be peace ? There is a lack of fear in their voices , and a steadfastness in their gaze . They are undaunted by the box society would place them in , for it is safe for society to do so . It ’ s easier to brand them all mad . Herein lies their freedom .
It is on the walk back to my car that Spyder leaves me with a great – and troubling – truism . He places his hand on my shoulder , looks straight into my eyes and says : ‘ Do you know what people fear the most in this world ? Their own freedom .’ And with that he is gone .
On the road back to Palm Springs and civilisation , with all this new information buzzing through my brain , I am startled – and perhaps a little reassured – to see a sign reading ‘ Warning : Reality Ahead ’.
Manie Steyn www . estate-living . co . za | 65