iAMwalking.org movie from Christopher Howe on Vimeo.

It was clear upon leaving the elated Elevate Film Festival, amidst the fanfare, the red (green) carpet, that so much more is possible than we imagine, and that I really had no idea how to do what I had imagined, what I had seen. I had no idea about the places, people, circumstances, and challenges I would face.

I heard the background noise of my thoughts, influenced by others, influenced by the news, influenced by my fear of other people, of places unfamiliar. I listened to another voice, the voice of a child who conquers his fear of nijas in a dark hallway.

That first night I walked, beginning at 10:30 pm (approximately), leaving from the heart of Los Angeles, walking through Downtown LA at night, past bums and their makeshift shelters, past people I had never noticed before. I am on their level, here I notice and am now mindful of their existence and what that could mean for me. Now mindful too of my inner dialogue as I pass them, careful not to disturb their rest. As one stirs, I shudder. Their lean-tos propt up against the concrete walls of bridges above remind me of Addis.

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