ALL ANTWERP. “I have been living on the street for ten years” (Antwerp)
Every weekday our reporter and photographer pick a casual passer-by off the street for a nice conversation. Want everyone has a story. And certainly in Antwerp. Today: Lodoe (51).
“I arrived in Belgium more than twenty years ago. My parents are from Tibet, but I myself was born in India. The first years that I lived in Belgium, I had it good. I had papers, a house, a job. Everything actually. But then my papers were revoked again. minimal i live on the street. Ten years already possible.”
“Sometimes I sleep here, on Theaterplein. Then again in Deurne, sometimes on the Left Bank, in Park Spoor Noord from the Groenplaats. I have a sleeping bag, two small blankets and a thick coat to keep it warm.”
“During the coldest winter months, I find shelter in the homeless shelter. The rest of the year I sleep outside. That is difficult at times. Especially when it rains. I do know a lot of Tibetan people in Antwerp and I also have some friends here. Occasionally I get to spend the night with them. One of two nights. Then I leave again. I know Antwerp inside and out. I’ve seen it here quite a bit.”
Sometimes I take turns and go to Brussels. Then I sleep in Brussels-North or Brussels-Central. Or I go to Amsterdam. I will stay there until the police chase me away again. In Amsterdam it is easy to live on the street. You have more tourists there who already give you five or ten euros. That is a bit more difficult in Antwerp.”
“I would prefer to return to my home country. But that only works if my papers are in order. Otherwise I can’t get on the plane. And I would love to go to France someday. To Paris. As a homeless person you can at least set up a tent there. A little more comfort, I would be happy with that.” (vw)