Beautiful San Diego? by Samuel Puentes

Earl's Interview

spue06_ — 2023-12-11 22:10:11 UTC

I met Earl on his daily walk to the shelter some streets down. He hoped to receive breakfast since he had gone a couple of days without food. When I approached him he was reserved and closed off at first but as the conversation began, Earl started to open up about his life on the streets of Downtown San Diego. Earl's story, as he would say, is your stereotypical story of someone becoming homeless or addicted.

"I was introduced to drugs at a very young age, 16. I dropped out of high school, never really considered college, and I fell into a cigarette addiction. Switching from job to job and spending the money on his cigarette. Son it had got to the point where I soon as I got that check, it was gone in seconds. Look at this cigarette (it was placed on his ear). I still deal with this addiction every day. You better not do drugs. The streets are my home, and the community we have built is my family. If I could I'd go back in time, I'd definitely slap myself.". When he told me to stay clear of drugs, hearing such a statement from an addict had a significant meaning behind it. He acknowledges his mistake, something many of us fail to do, and attempts to prevent others from doing the same. He deserves a fresh start.

Anonymous Interview

spue06_ — 2023-12-11 22:10:32 UTC

The streets of Downtown San Diego show a different side of San Diego, the "ugly". The man in this photo did not want his face nor name put out there but he did want to share his story, I will abide by his request and refer to him as Bob. Bob wasn't always living on these streets. He was like me and you, heading to school and living his life. He lost his path and journey as soon as hardships began to fall within his own family, tragic deaths, divorce, and abuse. His family at home would soon collapse, leaving him to fend for himself. As a result, Bob soon developed a drinking problem to escape his reality. He found his way downtown seeking shelter, water, food, and any resources available by the programs set here. As each year passes, Bob loses hope of ever finding his feet again and accepts the filthy streets of downtown San Diego as his home, the homeless community his new family. When I asked him if San Diego was a beautiful city, he continuously shook his head in disagreement. Bob said, "Just like there are two sides to a story, a place has the good and bad, it'll never be truly beautiful. Beauty cannot live without (its counter) the ugly.". He continued on his way right after the interview and I was able to snap his photo, carrying his booze down the street. It's sad to see he has accepted his life as it is but that's what motivates me to continue my project with the shelters in the area to assist these people as much as possible.

Beautiful Sunset

spue06_ — 2023-12-11 22:10:53 UTC

Just an additional picture because the sunset was pretty

Max's Interview

spue06_ — 2023-12-11 22:11:19 UTC

"The sunset this evening was immaculate. Since I live right by the beach, I come by for a walk during my free time. The walk provides a sense of clarity through all the stress and problems life put upon me. I grew to love the beach and the beautiful sunsets. I am not a San Diego native. I grew up in Spokane Washington, a city close to Idaho. There are no pretty sunsets, beaches, and an endless ocean. I initially came to San Diego for school and more opportunities. Spokane can only offer a select amount of opportunities. I attended UCSD as a computer science major, hoping to find a job coding. I had the opportunity to attend top schools like UCLA and UCI (they are known for their computer science program) but I turned them down as soon as I received the email of admission to UCSD. From advertisements to commercials, I've always heard that San Diego was this beautiful city but as soon as I took a trip downtown, I was mistaken. I was in awe at the fact that the streets of downtown were flooded with homeless. It's filthy there. The stereotypical San Diego isn't so pretty after all."