There are a few essential things I need to have daily in my life otherwise my day does not feel complete. Those things include drinking a cup of coffee, checking my email, speaking to my best friend, getting a hug from a certain someone and sighting Blanket Bhikaari. Now, most of the things on my list seem quite normal except for the very last one. You may be asking yourself, “Who is this Blanket Bhikaari?” Well, I don’t really know him, but here’s the story:
About two years ago I began my job in downtown Dallas, and I use to drive to work every day. I wouldn’t really pay attention to the pedestrians as I made my way to the parking garage (and no, I didn’t run anyone over), but every once in a while I’d notice someone in a cool outfit, someone jay-walking or a homeless person. Then one day, I saw him. Blanket Bhikaari (The term “bhikaari” in Urdu means beggar). He’s a tall African-American male, with crazy dreadlocks and he always walks around with a blanket wrapped around himself. It’s just so intriguing. I mean, I’ve seen beggars walk around with large overcoats, or even multiple layers, but I’ve never seen one walk around wrapped in a blanket. It just seems so impractical. Wouldn’t it be easier to walk around in something with sleeves so you could free up your hands? The argument of whether he can actually afford/obtain something besides a blanket has been brought to my attention and I actually thought this held some merit until I started observing Blanket Bhikaari closely. He has more than one blanket! I’ve seen at least three different colors he walks around with! Clearly, this man has options.
I really wonder what he does all day. I’ve never seen him talk to anyone, or look at anyone. I randomly see him throughout the day in different parts of Downtown walking as though he is trying to get to a specific destination, but he never stops anywhere. He just keeps walking. The weirdest thing about all of this is whenever I pull out my phone to try to capture a picture of him, he disappears. Now before you start claiming that he’s just a figment of my imagination and I’m schizophrenic or something, there have been other people that have seen him. I’ve pointed him out to friends who come visit me for lunch, so he’s definitely real.
I don’t know where this man came from, or why he walks around with a blanket all the time (even during the summer), but I know my curiosity has peaked. I am determined to figure out what this man does all day and why he walks around with a blanket. I will also capture him in a photograph one of these days and prove to you that he does, indeed, exist.
(photograph taken 03/29/10)
I've already come up with a title for when I find out his life story: Blanket Bhikaari ka Bhayanak Bachpan. (Don't you just love the alliteration?) Also, as a backup plan, if his life story is lame the title will read: Blanket Bhikaari ka Bakwaas Bachpan. Let me know if you want to help me with my project. It's going to make headlines!
I've already come up with a title for when I find out his life story: Blanket Bhikaari ka Bhayanak Bachpan. (Don't you just love the alliteration?) Also, as a backup plan, if his life story is lame the title will read: Blanket Bhikaari ka Bakwaas Bachpan. Let me know if you want to help me with my project. It's going to make headlines!
