Rough Living

by Vago Damitio

  Rough Living

  Vago Damitio

  Back when the millenium was new, Vago Damitio decided he’d had enough of the corporate world and decided to see what it was like being homeless. Actually, he’d only been in the corpoate world for about six months and he became house-less, not homeless.

  His mission was to learn how to live in America without a job, a house, or any other impediments to having as much freedom as one man could find and to share with the world.

  He may not have found the answers he was looking for, but he learned a hell of a lot and had some whacked out adventures. This book, originally published in 2003, contains those tips and tales.

  Vago Damitio has now, in 2013, been to more than forty countries, written ten books, and is still living on his own terms. Since publishing this book he’s earned a degree, gotten married, and become a dad.

  Life is beautiful.

  This is the 10th Anniversary Edition of Rough Living: Tips and Tales of a Vagabond. It contains more stories, more tips, updated author notes, and some resources that didn’t exist when the book was first published. It contains a few photos from Vago’s adventures back in 2000 and 2001. While there is some new information in this version, it is highly recommended that you also read Smooth Living: Beyond the Life of a Vagabond and Liminal Travel. Don’t forget to keep your boots dry!

  http://www.vagobondtravelmedia.com

  Vago Damitio

  ROUGH LIVING

  Tips and Tales of a Vagabond

  2013 Master Edition

  What Folks Have Said About Rough Living Over the Past Decade

  My thanks to the waitresses, reviewers, proofreaders, the vagabonds, and the wanderers. You have made it worthwhile for me to have written.

  A Hippified Action Adventure Hero

  …handy candid advice about living on the street, in the wilderness, your car, or just couch surfing. …a lyrical journal of Damitio’s adventures, both domestic and abroad … As someone who chooses luck and adventure over the indenture of employment, Damitio’s vignettes take place among the temporary communities of traveling foreigners and wizened urchins. As Damitio explores the planet, there’s a nice blend of jovial drunk and stoned adventures, and serious thoughtful reflections.

  Like the Jacks, Black and Kerouac, Damitio’s style is both entertaining and industrial… Lao-lao whiskey, opium, and pot all thread their way into the narrative, and Damitio’s enthusiasm for intoxication is just one of the many facets of his political philosophy that are revealed in the book.

  Like a hippified action adventure hero, Damitio’s tales of travel show the reader how to be resourceful (he got his plane fare to Asia at the slot machines) and heroic (he helps save women from a lewd tourist, then saves the drunk tourist’s life). Rough Living is a perfect example of the old road romance made contemporary. For those tempted to test their luck, it’s addictive, like missives from an eloquent friend abroad.

  ~MARJORIE SKINNER- Portland Mercury

  Fun and informative

  A quick read with fun facts about the vagabond life. Covers how to stay clean, eat well, entertain yourself, educate yourself, and be safe. Very enjoyable. Makes me want to quit my job and buy a van.

  Entertaining

  It may not be a book for everyone, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you’re into counterculture alternative lifestyle, you will enjoy the book.

  Money Well Spent

  It was money well spent. I recommend it to anybody who is interested in a simpler, cheaper way to live.

  Optimistic and Positive

  This book had me captivated with the optimistic and positive tone the author uses to uplift his situation.

  Fantastic Read

  I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this book! I felt like I was tagging along right there with you in so many of your adventures!!

  Unique man, Unique book, Unique life

  Recipes, methods, and experiences of a man that lives without a home yet manages to eat, work, play, and live without overburdening society , or bending to its every whim. Neat ideas for those that get tired of bending and a stooping for “your betters”, the American way, at minimum wage, and need a way out. The author has a method and a path few can handle indeed it is Rough Living, but living it is, and if you feel yourself circling the drain again, do not know what to do, or where to do it, these ideas maybe your cup of tea or even a liferaft.

  Changed My Life

  Reading this book made me buy a hammock. I’m not kidding–I actually sleep in a hammock now. Changed my life.

  A Guide to Independent Living

  I think independent living is a better way to look at this than homelessness. A very interesting read. I could not put it down. I hate my job, and wouldn’t mind a little Hawaii adventure myself. With our economy the way it is, Vago’s book should be read by all and kept for reference.

  A Thought Provoking Read

  Well sometime in the next half year or so it seems I will have to decide on selling up and hitting the road or whatever else I can do. I may try your techniques to try and make some kind of plan.

  In your writing you seem very wise and well adjusted and decent guy. I’m almost suspicious how you can live how you do and still be like that? It also surprised me that a lot of things you talk about I also apply to living in this house. Common sense I suppose but its nice to see it written as confirmation.

  An Eye Opening Experience

  The information in this book was an eye-opening experience for me showing me how this can be done and how one can travel around and make things work.

  Great, interesting read, full of information

  I would recommend it for anyone considering going on a little adventure of their own, anyone that is considering shedding the shackles of traditional living or even someone who just wants a short but fun read. I would certainly recommend it.

  Life Off the Grid

  Rough Living is well and honestly written. It tells how to survive outside the mainstream on little or no money. It’s also a darn good story of one man’s adventure. Mr. Damitio tells us honestly that he did some things that he would not do again, nor does he condone nor suggest anyone else use some of his methods; he simply tells us the tale “in the raw”. I found the book useful, besides being a great adventure tale. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants out of the “rat race”, it gives you an honest look at what it’s really like. Great book!

  Tells it like it is

  If you want to live on the edge but don’t want to take the risks involved, this book is a good way to do both. It showed me a world that I normally would never venture into.

  The tales are interesting and his honesty and craziness are reminiscent of the beatnik writers of the 50s and 60s.

  I Wish It Was Longer

  This guy goes from having a job to being homeless and broke and then somehow ends up in China and all these Asian countries where he makes friends and has incredible adventures. Then somehow he runs out of money again and ends up in Hawaii…

  A glimpse into the life of living under the grid

  The apparent hierarchy among various homeless types was a revelation, as were the various make-it-yourself appliances.

  Handy Info

  An excellent handbook to an interesting lifestyle. Discusses both pros and cons; is unflinching in it’s honesty. Damitio writes in a style that is philosophical, practical and fun. Highly recommended.

  Good Advice

  This is a really good and practical book on urban camping; ie, voluntary homelessness. It gives a lot of good advice and delves into a lot of the concerns you’d have if you were going to do something crazy like live in your car for an extended period of time. There are some topics that he doesn’t cover in detail, little things like
how important it is to eat healthy, and what happens when you are wearing shoes all day every day because you have no place to kick them off and relax. But mostly he’s got the major points covered.

  Could Not Break Away From It

  I just downloaded “Rough Living, An Urban Survival Manual.” I could not break away from the book until I had finished it. I am currently 25 and have just recently walked out on my very good job as a Toyota Fleet manager in Fairfield, CA to pursue a more fitting lifestyle so I would no longer feel as if I was wasting my youth. We are (or rather can be) intelligent, adaptable creatures, and I just need to know that I can survive and function on my own without electricity, cable internet, media influences,jobs…all these conveniences that more and more just feel like a choke collar stripping me (humans) of their natural resourcefulnessI enjoyed your book very much and thank you for sharing your adventures and thoughts with the rest of the world. I cant wait to download more of your writings.

  Motivated Me

  I just finished reading your book, and I must say, I liked it a lot. I am heading to New Orleans shortly to help out in anyway I can. I never did have very high expectations, but I must tell you, your book helped to remind me and motivate me for my journey from Pittsburgh to New Orleans. thank you!

  A Fabulous Tool To Change the World!

  I just wasted a couple of hours of my company’s time reading your book, Rough Living. Thanks for writing it, as it was a lovely read… I waitress and keep a copy at the restaurant, so when I bring it up with tables, I can show them. It’s fun… a great conversation piece and a fabulous tool to change the world.

  You’ve Ruined the Family Name and Shamed Us All

  You’re not supposed to write about some things. Have you no shame? What the hell is wrong with you? Don’t come begging for handouts from me. There’s nothing for you in my will so you can stop hoping I’m dead now.

  ~ Dad

  DEDICATION

  This book is dedicated it to my Uncles Larry, Morris, and Murray. They are three men who I am certain understand this book and I am thankful to them all for the lessons which they taught me. I think of you as a bizarre combination of the three wise-men mashed with the three stooges. Larry, Mo, and Curly. I love you guys, wherever you are.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND NOTES

  I’d like to thank my brother for suggesting I stop living in a van in Seattle and find some way to go to China. I also need to thank the retired postal worker I met on the way to the North American Anarchist Conference who went by the handle ‘The Old Reptile’ — it was he who suggested I write what I was learning by being homeless as a book.

  I’d like to thank my sister for sending me a book called ‘Hobo’ by Eddie Joe Cotton for Christmas in 2002. I’d like to thank Eddie Joe Cotton for getting published and thus showing there was actually a market for a book like Rough Living, even though the legitimate publishers never chose to publish it.

  I’d like to thank my friend Izak Holden for doing the interview with Aquillo Mallot which originally appeared in my Anarchist Zine, Conchsense. I’d like to thank Aquillo Mallot (aka Two Dog Tom) and Hopalong Tom for being the type of crazy but generally harmless hobos who will accept all kinds of people at their fires.

  I’d like to thank my friend Stephan Boudroux for always being a good buddy, wing man, and buying drinks for me when I was down and out because he knew it would eventually come around.

  I’d like to thank Kevin and Candida Alvis and Joey and Sunshine Peppin for letting me park my VW in their backyards in Seattle and Bellingham and allowing me to use their kitchens and toilets as necessary.

  I’d like to thank a lot of other people too, but for the moment, that will have to do.

  Authors Note from 2005 Rough Living An Urban Survival Manual

  I live like a prince. That’s what I’m doing at the moment. It’s great. Let me tell you what the life of a prince is like. I sleep as late as I want. I played tennis until late last night with my new friends from tennis class. It wasn’t cold, because I am in the tropics. Hawaii actually. So anyway, I slept a little late. I woke up at about ten. After using one of my many bathrooms to shave and brush my teeth, I went for a little breakfast. French toast, coffee, and Dutch apple pie. It’s great to be a prince. Pie for breakfast.

  I took a brief walk through the gardens to my main library. I’ve been studying Japanese and wanted to look up a phrase I hadn’t understood. While I was there I used the internet to check on the news, stocks, and of course, my horoscope, not that I believe in such things but it is essential to have some trivial pursuits.

  I wanted to spend most of the day working on a novel I but I also wanted to take a drive. So I drove to the other side of the island to visit my other library. After eating one of my favorite sandwiches for lunch (kimchi and tuna) in the garden and drinking some watermelon nectar, I settled down in the library and began.

  Sounds pretty good right? It is. The thing is though, I’m no prince. I’m homeless. I’m just pretty good at living.

  Let me translate. Last night I played tennis in a public park. I paid $25 for six group lessons and in the process made a lot of friends. Plus, if you live in your car, the hardest thing sometimes is figuring out what to do at night. Tennis is a great option. My racket was $3 at the Salvation Army.

  After tennis, I drove my car to one of my favorite parking spots. It’s another park that allows all night parking. Lot’s of scuba divers go there for night dives. I slept on the floor of the van I bought for $175. I was near Waikiki for a couple of reasons. 1) My tennis lessons were there and 2) I bought a ticket to Hawaii a while back because it’s a great place to be homeless.

  Another cool thing about Waikiki is Burger King. They have those free food scratch off coupons on fry cartons and large drinks. Lot’s of folks don’t even peel em off. That’s how I got the free French toast sticks and apple pie. The coffee cost me 87 cents.

  After breakfast I walked through the capital district to the state library. I study Japanese in my car and in the parks. Why? It’s good to have something productive to do. I choose not to work, it doesn’t mean I don’t want to learn. I have a library card so I get to use the internet for free.

  I drove across the island because I keep my laptop (and my novel) in a storage unit on the windward side. It’s cheaper for storage there than it is in Honolulu. That way if someone breaks into my car, they don’t get the laptop. I can’t afford to get a new one. I got this one by trading a VW bus I bought for $100 for it. Not bad, huh? The gardens I stroll through are really public parks and I make my own lunches. So what did the life of a prince cost me today? Including gas and coffee… about $3.

  It’s all in how you look at it. Trust me, there are times that this lifestyle sucks. When I really want to have a shower and don’t have one to jump in, it sucks. When I get sick and want to lie in bed all day, it sucks. When I meet some beautiful chick that is only interested in the money she thinks I have and I break it to her that I live in my car, it sucks. But most of the time. It’s not that bad.

  The key is really in what you do with your time. If you are a millionaire or a bum, you’re probably going to be pretty miserable if you spend all your time drinking or drugging. Tennis is fun whether you have a home or not. Learning is fun. Life is fun.

  Authors Note for 2012 Kindle Edition

  It’s hard to believe it’s been almost ten years since the original Rough Living: Tips and Tales of a Vagabond was published by Booklocker. When I see those paperback books with Vagabond misspelled ‘Vegebond’ on the spine, I can’t help but laugh. The fact the book was never proofread or edited by anyone other than myself accounts for the numerous typos, mis-spellings, bad grammar, and horrible layout of the original. It might also account for the fact every publisher I spoke with told me my book was unpublishable, though the reason they gave was the same across the board — I’d written a book for people who don’t have money and people without money don’t buy books.

  Lots of people have b
ought this book. I’ve only sold about a thousand copies, but the book has been downloaded and shared with upwards of 30,000 people! Certainly, there was and always will be a market for a book like this, whether the publishers choose to see it or not. I’m simply thankful I live in a time when I could self publish and share my work on the internet. There have been times when I’ve felt bitter about all those free copies that were distributed in direct violation of the copyright, but ultimately — it’s pretty cool, even if I didn’t profit from it. Consider it payment for any films, TV shows, or music I’ve used or enjoyed without buying.

  I’m going to leave this version, essentially unchanged. I am going through and finally spell checking, fixing some grammatical errors, and hopefully fixing any and all of the formatting issues the book has suffered from in the past. Later this year, I am (hopefully) going to publish an updated Masters Edition of Rough Living with new material, photos and more. I am also in the process of putting the final edits on Smooth Living: Beyond the Life of a Vagabond.I hope you will enjoy all three of them!

  Authors Note for 2013 Master Edition

  The “What’s Your Provocation?” section comes from the brilliant work of Mr. Bill Larson of Bellingham, Washington. I attended a lecture of his in 1999 and was profoundly affected by his concepts of provocation and the 3 A’s. Thank you for allowing me to share your work, Bill. It changed my life. Thank you for being an awesome human being.