For those that are interested, or concerned... Walter passed away several years ago. I recently discovered this information. One person told me Walter was struck by a train near his home. Carlos, one of the other tunnel residents at the time, thinks he laid down to rest, and didn't get back up. He died sometime in 2012. This video footage was shot in 2008. I waited 14 years to edit the footage out of respect for Walter's privacy and the secrecy of his home. UPDATE: 8-28-22: I went back down to the tunnel the other day. Much has changed since the last time I was there, and even more so, since this video was shot. No one lives in this section of tunnel anymore. The entire area has been cleaned out, and is used as storage for Amtrak maintenance trains and equipment.. There is a lot of activity right in the area - construction, park maintenance crews, etc. I ran into one former tunnel resident and another man who lives elsewhere. They confirmed that everyone was cleared out several years ago, and regular sweeps of this area are done by the cops
Yeesh, as soon as he revealed his location, I thought, "Walter's home is no longer his " That was very thoughtful of you to keep his privacy until after his passing. RIP Walter.
@@darrenstettner5381 they guy says it in the video description that he wound up dying. I could imagine living down there with all those fumes couldn't be healthy and know he prob never went to Dr or took care his health
I lost everything in life once, a long time ago, it made me understand just how precious all the small things in life really are. 42 years later I have a little home, a little life, and my two fur faces, cats. I don't beg, I don't panhandle, I don't get food stamps, I don't get welfare, I set-up at the Swap Meet and make what I need to keep my little life going. The only thing I fear is not being able to feed my fur faces, so I always make sure they come first. My pleasures in life are the two slices of pizza and a cold Pepsi once a week and every so often being able to go see a movie, that's a major event for me, popcorn, cold soda and a movie, and I really don't care what the movie is, it's the event that I look forward to. Simplicity is the answer to my happiness, and my two fur faces, Papa and Smokey, they love me. Life is good.
He was my brother and my father figure. Family was most important to him. Unfortunately circumstances changed the boy into the man you see. He served in the end of the Vietnamese war which changed the boy to the man but also gave him the skills to survive the way you see in this video. There is NY Times article of him cooking a full thanksgiving meal for him another of our brother and his friends. I’m thankful for all the beautiful comments people realizing what I’ve always known what an amazing person he was. He was a constant in my life she nice the day I was born until the day the detectives came to my job to tell me he was gone. He is missed so much everyday. Thank you Erik for respecting my brother not only not disclosing his home but him as a human being.
@@sct296 my dad was in vietnam as a combat medic it's possible that the war changed him like it did my father. My dad strove to fill his life full of achivment he became a doctor he went to yale he holds multiple degrees perhaps sucess was my fathers way of handling ptsd. Maybe this man handels the stress by isolating himself from others maybe he just wanted to get away from society. Despair is born only out of hope but it is difficult for people to live completely without hope, which means that people can do nothing except live with despair. They are both great men just living with that despair with the courage to live with it.
The respect I have for this man keeping Walters location safe until he died is indescribable. I think it is really cool that Walter made the best of everything he had, and built things to make himself comfortable.
@@flightofthebumblebee9529 He pulls the ladder up when hes there nobody so could get in. When he leaves Im sure he just layed the ladder down. No one would know what was up there.
oh I know bro, was thinking that for the most part of the video hoping that he wouldn't get cut off from electricity or just flat out kicked out, sucks he died, but I'm glad he got to enjoy that place which he viewed as home.
I'm so glad you captured this moment in time. Walter would have just passed away in obscurity, but now he lives on through your video. I'm impressed that you held the footage until after his passing. Like many, as I watched, I was concerned that he would be found and forced to leave.
As a ex hobo some times the hardest part about the living on the street is finding a place to sleep let alone live. Mush respect to Erik for keeping it a secret and Walter for doing what many people would think impossible. I bow my head to you sir.
@@Elderrek At least you were being productive. Nowadays there is a group of train riders that calls themselves "Dirty Kids" and they are as the name describes. They go for weeks and months without taking a bath/shower and have 'contests' to see who can be the dirtiest and smell the worst. It's disturbing. Most hobos don't want to work at all, unfortunately. I'm a big fan of people like Hobo Shoestring on youtube who are actually pretty productive in society.
@@user-tb2jy9lu3d I know a guy like that never took a shower and would were he's clothes until they started to fall off he took pride in it i think idk I could never do that. The dirty kids going to learn a hard lesson ones there skin starts to mold and turn yellow and scabies suck lol what's the world come to.
Walter seemed more level headed and down to earth than most people I've met in life. Thank you for capturing this moment in time and granting him the dignity he deserved
Humanity is insane. About 95% of all humans are absolutely insane and the more "cultured" they are the more insane they are. There are varying degree's of insanity but every human could be said to have some insanity(just because they are born in a world run by lunatics).
And that is based of a handful of words Mr. Walter said during the interview? Plus, I meet normal level headed people on a daily basis not living in tunnels which makes me wonder about the areas you move around in and people you interact with... As far as I am concerned, Mr. Walter is a homeless person by choice and a hoarder. But if that made him happy, all good and the best for him.
You mean it ain't full of illegal immigrants yet ? I predict this winter it will be populated . This guy advertized , for free . I'm sure they all have youtube on thier free cellphones .
He lived life on his own terms. You call that living?? Being in the street, unseen by most, scorned by some? Not knowing when next meal will be? When next shower will be? That is not living.
How did you get out of homelessness? There is a lot about people on the streets on the internet, but very little about how they can get a better life. Would you share your story? 🖖
BEYOND HUGE RESPECT for NOT revealing Walter's HOME. This guy had made the best out of a bad hand dealt to him and he wasn't hurting anybody. Yha he boosted a little electricity but I don't kick those who are down. God Bless him AND YOU, SIR for not destroying the trust between the two of you..
@@cptclown2110 I ment he had an agreement with the man TO NOT reveal his home in the documentary UNTIL AFTER HE DIED.,and the documentary man KEPT HIS WORD
I appreciate your integrity dude, 9 years since this man passed for you to post this video. This man is a legend, may he be remembered and rest in peace.
Erik, it would be a great world if everyone showed the same respect for their fellow man as you showed Walter. I have a feeling you have helped many people in your life.
I think a lot of people miss the point that this form of living isn’t conducive to great mental health. I can’t imagine Walter was here because it was what he truly wanted but the best he could figure out. He deserved more. I wish he’d gotten help. Romanticizing or accepting this as ‘acceptable’ living conditions, is a huge disservice.
@@Jackjohnjay Its safe and away from alot of the shit life throws at you on the streets while homeless. he had electricity for cooking and running appliances, shelter from the rain and a bit of security while he slept, when youve been on the streets these things really matter.
Repent and follow Jesus my friend! Repenting doesn't mean confessing your sins to others, but to stop doing them altogether. Belief in Messiah alone is not enough to get you into heaven - Matthew 7:21-23, John 3:3, John 3:36 (ESV is the best translation for John 3:36). Contemplate how the Roman empire fulfilled the role of the beast from the sea in Revelation 13. Revelation 17 confirms that it is in fact Rome. From this we can conclude that A) Jesus is the Son of God and can predict the future or make it happen, B) The world leaders/nations/governments etc have been conspiring together for the last 3000+ years to accomplish the religion of the Israelites C) History as we know it is fake. You don't really need to speculate though because you can start a relationship with God and have proof. Call on the name of Jesus and pray for Him to intervene in your life. - Revelation 3:20 Revelation 6 1st Seal: White horse = Roman Empire conquering nations under Trajan 98-117 AD & Gospel spreading rapidly. 2nd Seal: Red horse, bloody civil wars with 32 different Emperors, most killed by the sword. 185-284 AD 3rd Seal: Black horse, economic despair from high taxes to pay for wars, farmers stopped growing. 200-250 AD 4th Seal: Pale horse, 1/4th of Romans died from famine, pestilence; at one point 5,000 dying per day. 250-300 AD 5th Seal: Diocletian persecuted Smyrna church era saints for ten years, blood crying out for vengeance. 303-312 AD 6th Seal: Political upheaval in the declining Roman Empire while the leaders battled each other. 313-395 AD Revelation 7 Sealing of 144,000, the saints, before trumpet war judgments, which led to the fall of the Roman Empire. Revelation 8 1st Trumpet: Alaric and the Goths attacked from the north, the path of hail, and set it on fire. 400-410 AD 2nd Trumpet: Genseric and the Vandals attacked the seas and coastlands, the blood of sailors in water. 425-470 AD 3rd Trumpet: Attila and the Huns scourged the Danube, Rhine & Po rivers area, dead bodies made water bitter. 451 AD 4th Trumpet: Odoacer and the Heruli caused the last Western Emperor (sun), Senate (moon) to lose power. 476 AD With the Western Roman Emperor (restrainer of 2 Thes. 2) removed; the son of perdition Popes took power. Revelation 9 Two woe judgments against the central 1/3rd and eastern 1/3rd of the Roman Empire. 612-1453 AD 5th Trumpet: Locust & scorpions point to Arabia, the rise of the Muslim army. Islam hides Gospel from Arabs. 612-762 AD 6th Trumpet: Turks released to attack Constantinople with large cannons (fire, smoke, brimstone). 1062-1453 AD Revelation 10 The little book is the printed Bible, which was needed after the Dark Ages when Scriptures were banned by Popes. Revelation 11 7th Trumpet: Martin Luther measured Roman Church; found that it’s an apostate church, not part of true temple. The two witnesses are the Scriptures and saints who proclaim the pure Gospel and testify against the antichrist Popes. Papal Church pronounced Christendom dead in 1514 AD. Silence for 3.5 years. Then Luther posted his 95 Thesis, which sparked the Protestant Reformation and brought the witnesses back to life. Millions of Catholics were saved. Revelation 12 Satan used the Roman Empire to try to wipe out the early Church, Satan was cast down as the Empire collapsed. Revelation 13 The antichrist beast Popes reigned in power 1,260 years, 538-1798, is the little horn of Daniel 7, son of perdition. The false prophet Jesuit Superior General rose to power from land (earth) of Vatican and has created many deceptions. Revelation 14 Points to great harvest during the Protestant Reformation & wrath on Catholic countries who obey antichrist Pope. Revelation 15 Overcoming saints victorious over the beast. Prelude to 7 vials and judgment on those who support Papal Rome. Revelation 16 1st Vial: The foul sore of atheism was poured out on Catholic France, leaving them with no hope, led to revolution. 2nd Vial: The French Revolution started in 1793, killed 250,000, as France had obeyed the Pope and killed saints. 3rd Vial: The French Revolution spread to rural areas of France, where Protestants had been killed in river areas. 4th Vial: The bloody Napoleonic wars shed the blood of countries who had revered and obeyed the antichrist Pope. 5th Vial: Judgment on the seat of the beast. Papal States invaded in 1798, Pope imprisoned, removed from power. 6th Vial: The Turks vast domain dried up, they were only left with Turkey. They lost control of Palestine in 1917 AD, Israel became a nation again in 1948
Just stumbled across this video. The entire time I was watching I felt concerned and uneasy over the possibility of Walter's home being discovered due to this film. Until I read the filmmaker's update. Wow, just wow. I admire and appreciate your integrity and compassion. It's good to know there are people like you out there.
First thing I thought or did was surprised that he hadn't had a fire down there yet with that long extension chord and what he would do if it did happen but your concerns are definitely very valid!
You could’ve fooled me if you told me you shot this footage last week. 2008? WOW! seriously amazes me how you remembered and actually maintained the footage for so many years. R.I.P to Walter, time waits for no one &’ I’m sure Walter enjoyed life on his own terms. I wonder what could’ve been of Walter if we could’ve help him better him self in todays date. None the less great content, served me great as a late night video. Thank you
He was my brother. This is the only life he knew after serving in the last of the Vietnamese war. He had family who loved him and he was always welcomed but this is the life he loved.
What a smart and creative man! He literally made an actual functioning home for himself all alone. Being this level of independent(which is what should be basic for all of us really) is true freedom! He remains a legend.
@@matchbox7811 100k with a simple job ? In what world do you live in ? Minimum wage would barely get you 20k a year so it would take at least 5 years to get to 100k and that's if he doesn't spend anything.
70 years ago I visited my grandmother at West 86th St at the river and heard those trains roaring by under the huge air vents. I wondered at the time if anybody hung out down there. Fascinating story very kindly presented.
He lived just like people did in the late 1800's and early 1900's did. Small cramped areas that didn't have much room for excess comfort. He was very handy and I wish him the best to the life after life. RIP Walter
When you think of homeless people, you think of drug or alcohol addicts whom have just given up on life. People like Walter show the ingenious of human adaptation when it comes to getting by in this crazy world. God Bless Walter, and I pray he has a much better, happier home now.
@fiendbastards Do you differentiate between the small percentage of people who lost everything through no fault of their own and the large percent of people or in that situation through countless bad choices?
@@ThomasJones-ij6hv the question is: do we see a difference in reality. And what exactly is one owns fault... We are all born in to this brutal Modern world and it does not suit most of the people. See how many depressed sad people there are. So who we gona blame for the mess we live in.
Thank you so much for this video, it's a thing of beauty. Thanks also for holding off sharing it till after Walter had passed to protect his privacy, that shows both intelligence and compassion. RIP Walter.
I'm so sad to see that Walter has passed away. He seemed an amazing and gentle soul, and we could use more like him in our world today. Thank you for keeping his existence and location a secret all these years. You are a good man. I wish you rainbows.
The amount of impressed I am by this man, that he made his own house, survived, flourished on his own, was content, comfortable, and from the looks of it, happy. Couldn't be explained. The respect for him to have that privacy until long after he passed is so kind, I can't imagine most others would do the same. May he fly high in Valhalla.
This was a raw look into what life is really like for far too many. This man has at least made the best out of it. Hurts my heart yet it's also inspiring to see. Great video.
@Brandon Imagine being able to make 20 or 30 dollars a day or more without having to pay rent and utilities and not being able to get yourself out of the situation. In a few months he could have enough to take a train to a less expensive town and get an apartment, get a job, and be a productive member of society. This man chooses to live like this.
Walter had a HOME, so he was not homeless, just houseless. He had what he needed, and he wasn’t in major debt like everyone in America struggling. Most couldn’t survive like Walter
Ah yes, your language shows us all that you deeply understand the problem and have compassion. Now your work is done. You can go on living like the rest of us do but you'll be superior.
@@MegaTriumph1 perhaps. Or maybe a loner who really did not want to deal with our conformist society. Smfh. One of my worst nightmares is being homeless and I'm seeing more and more Americans out on the streets. And I'm not talking about flat out bums. Some who worked their whole lives. We have elderly ppl living in their cars. It's getting bad. Whoever's pulling the strings behind all this. It's going to have some serious hell to pay one day Jesus was right it's much more easier than a camel to enter the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter into heaven
I was homeless for about 4 months, at first I staying a couple different abandoned houses then I got into a shelter and got a job. None of my co-workers had any idea what was going on with me. So if you don't think it could happen to you ,your wrong it can happen to anyone
@@DragonAurora you can I swear there's nothing special about me there were 60 guys that stayed at that shelter every nite I was the only one who had a job and they even had a computer room with a guy who would help people apply for jobs online. I also signed up at the shelter so I could work late hours were I had to do dishes/laundry,ect at the shelter, you can do this!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, and especially in places where they don't give a s*** about people, only money. I've never been homeless myself, but it was very close back in my younger days, but luckily I live in a "commie" country ( as most of you Americans would call it 😉) so I got help from the local authorities, and they got me a small one room apartment. It wasn't much but it was home.
I'm retired, have savings, yet still worry that I may end up on the street. This video is inspiring. If you're not hooked on fentanyl or crack, keep yourself relatively healthy and have a resourceful mind, you can get by in this jaded, money-suck world.
True there's ways to make money that doesn't involve drags or othere things living in Michigan I haunted for cans true not going to get rich and it was vary humbling but it was a lot better then what some people did to get by.
Repent and follow Jesus my friend! Repenting doesn't mean confessing your sins to others, but to stop doing them altogether. Belief in Messiah alone is not enough to get you into heaven - Matthew 7:21-23, John 3:3, John 3:36 (ESV is the best translation for John 3:36). Contemplate how the Roman empire fulfilled the role of the beast from the sea in Revelation 13. Revelation 17 confirms that it is in fact Rome. From this we can conclude that A) Jesus is the Son of God and can predict the future or make it happen, B) The world leaders/nations/governments etc have been conspiring together for the last 3000+ years to accomplish the religion of the Israelites C) History as we know it is fake. You don't really need to speculate though because you can start a relationship with God and have proof. Call on the name of Jesus and pray for Him to intervene in your life. - Revelation 3:20 Revelation 6 1st Seal: White horse = Roman Empire conquering nations under Trajan 98-117 AD & Gospel spreading rapidly. 2nd Seal: Red horse, bloody civil wars with 32 different Emperors, most killed by the sword. 185-284 AD 3rd Seal: Black horse, economic despair from high taxes to pay for wars, farmers stopped growing. 200-250 AD 4th Seal: Pale horse, 1/4th of Romans died from famine, pestilence; at one point 5,000 dying per day. 250-300 AD 5th Seal: Diocletian persecuted Smyrna church era saints for ten years, blood crying out for vengeance. 303-312 AD 6th Seal: Political upheaval in the declining Roman Empire while the leaders battled each other. 313-395 AD Revelation 7 Sealing of 144,000, the saints, before trumpet war judgments, which led to the fall of the Roman Empire. Revelation 8 1st Trumpet: Alaric and the Goths attacked from the north, the path of hail, and set it on fire. 400-410 AD 2nd Trumpet: Genseric and the Vandals attacked the seas and coastlands, the blood of sailors in water. 425-470 AD 3rd Trumpet: Attila and the Huns scourged the Danube, Rhine & Po rivers area, dead bodies made water bitter. 451 AD 4th Trumpet: Odoacer and the Heruli caused the last Western Emperor (sun), Senate (moon) to lose power. 476 AD With the Western Roman Emperor (restrainer of 2 Thes. 2) removed; the son of perdition Popes took power. Revelation 9 Two woe judgments against the central 1/3rd and eastern 1/3rd of the Roman Empire. 612-1453 AD 5th Trumpet: Locust & scorpions point to Arabia, the rise of the Muslim army. Islam hides Gospel from Arabs. 612-762 AD 6th Trumpet: Turks released to attack Constantinople with large cannons (fire, smoke, brimstone). 1062-1453 AD Revelation 10 The little book is the printed Bible, which was needed after the Dark Ages when Scriptures were banned by Popes. Revelation 11 7th Trumpet: Martin Luther measured Roman Church; found that it’s an apostate church, not part of true temple. The two witnesses are the Scriptures and saints who proclaim the pure Gospel and testify against the antichrist Popes. Papal Church pronounced Christendom dead in 1514 AD. Silence for 3.5 years. Then Luther posted his 95 Thesis, which sparked the Protestant Reformation and brought the witnesses back to life. Millions of Catholics were saved. Revelation 12 Satan used the Roman Empire to try to wipe out the early Church, Satan was cast down as the Empire collapsed. Revelation 13 The antichrist beast Popes reigned in power 1,260 years, 538-1798, is the little horn of Daniel 7, son of perdition. The false prophet Jesuit Superior General rose to power from land (earth) of Vatican and has created many deceptions. Revelation 14 Points to great harvest during the Protestant Reformation & wrath on Catholic countries who obey antichrist Pope. Revelation 15 Overcoming saints victorious over the beast. Prelude to 7 vials and judgment on those who support Papal Rome. Revelation 16 1st Vial: The foul sore of atheism was poured out on Catholic France, leaving them with no hope, led to revolution. 2nd Vial: The French Revolution started in 1793, killed 250,000, as France had obeyed the Pope and killed saints. 3rd Vial: The French Revolution spread to rural areas of France, where Protestants had been killed in river areas. 4th Vial: The bloody Napoleonic wars shed the blood of countries who had revered and obeyed the antichrist Pope. 5th Vial: Judgment on the seat of the beast. Papal States invaded in 1798, Pope imprisoned, removed from power. 6th Vial: The Turks vast domain dried up, they were only left with Turkey. They lost control of Palestine in 1917 AD, Israel became a nation again in 1948
ive been living nomadically on the land for twelve years now.... neva tried tried no dirty drugs ever... smoke weed now an again... travel by freight... live in tha forest a lot.. i lovve people who live outside of society... the most grounded humans in my opinion
@@LoVeInADiUniVerSe well most of us lived on the ground 😆 if it wasn't for meth hitting the camps it was great and I'd probably still be there but things got crazy after that and vary violent. People stop working together fights and stealing become a nightly thing everything's we built become trash.
@@Elderrek lol ... i thought about that soon as i said grounded.... i hear u.. but me personally one thing i dont do is live near other people i like my space.. an absolutely reqiure my space.. and i dont sleep around people i dont know... only with people im movin around wit if any... being around other peoples trash is sumthin i absolutely will not do... bam... so all dats nipped in da bud for me... plus i generally dont be in tha cities.. and when i am i make it a point to go find a place where nobody is for at least 300 feet in all directions....
Amazing video. Almost hits home. I'm "homeless" as well. I live in a cabin I built on the river in a small town in California. The amount of respect you have for his discretion and privacy is not a level of respect found anymore. I truly admire you for this video and precautions taken. Have an amazing day sir
I am astonished by that guy. So much time on the street and still extremely articulate, very well rounded, and he created just a super surprising home for himself. That's amazing.
I was on the streets for a few years. I met many articulate smart artistic talented people out there. It’s the same as anywhere really. You have very bright, not so bright, mentally ill, elderly, they are just people. Like everyone else
He was my brother and very knowledgeable always loved learning. He would maybe have been someone different if it wasn’t for the Vietnamese war. He left one way and came back very different.
This is not only humbling but it is extremely well made. You managed to maintain the gentleman's dignity while telling his story. Well done to you, and koudos to Walter, he seems to have been a kind soul. May he rest in peace. Thank you for this video, I will not soon forget it. Cheers
Heartwarming to see good people still in this world. Between the video and the comments I’m tearing up very eye opening to be grateful for anything we have. And if you can help those who may need what we have in abundance. Trust me your care for someone matters more than you think. Amazing video Erik R.I.P Walter
I don't know what it is, but there's a strange "chills" feeling down my spine in a good way. The feeling that i'm missing out on something. Something in me says we're all stuck in this society and way of living. We're all seeking a way out somehow. Some by making lots of money and others by traveling the world. This guy is happier than most of us I can bet you that!
@@earth_is_a_time_machine Majority are belittled not rewarded for playing along with society. You get to work all day like a dog wile this dood can pick up cans and make twice as much money in the same amount of time, as the degrading low paying societal job.
Thanks for sharing. Very well put together edit and cinematography 💕 So sad to hear of Walter's passing. Seemed like such a nice guy. Hope his family knows the positively he gave out to the 1000s of people here watching this 💕👍
Thank you for your sensitivity and respect for this gentleman in sharing this video of his home. Ive dedicated my life to working with and advocating for people experiencing homelessness and I’m always so grateful for anything that reminds the rest of the world of the tenacity, ingenuity, and beauty of people living outside. The only thing that causes homelessness is a lack of affordable housing and many of us don’t understand how close we are to losing everything. Thank you.
Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a video in awhile that has made me genuinely reflect. Thank you for sharing Walter’s story with us and thank you for respecting his privacy.
Hi Erik - no idea how I came across your channel, but this blew me away. The type of work that deserves to be seen on national television. Sad to hear he passed - the world needs more of Walter. May he rest in peace.
Walter almost crying as he said "this is home" kinda killed the entire vibe right at the end too. His spot reminds me of the old timers who were serving long bids and amassed everything one in prison can. I feel for the guy...
@FireOasis you said it better then I had. I couldn't tell if it was shame or just sadness, but something was certainly there at the very end. even those making the best of their situation in life can struggle for regret or fullfillment.
@@Quagigitymire People talking about how he is fulfilled and the rest of it, clearly don't read people every well. There is honour in his ability to persist and adapt though.
Very humbling and sad to see he has gone.There is a place in this world for everybody and thankfully we are not all the same.Good to see the respect that you have given him for his privacy and secrecy.
I admire how Walter made the best of his situation. He used all available resources and made himself a comfortable shelter. He was even able to have electricity and entertainment. May he rest in peace.
This impacted me in a way that's hard to describe. A mixture of joy and then sadness once I learned he had passed away. So many people take so much for granted, it makes me think our culture is broken in a way. It's not until you lose everything that you really learn to appreciate anything.
I did a year in jail and let me tell you, all I thought about was freedom and just getting to sit outside and enjoy the breeze and the sun on my face. I essentially lost everything for that year and yes it does in fact give you fantastic perspective!
No need to describe it. Many of us get it. Society is use to comforts. We pay for those comforts in taxes, everyday headaches, drama, etc. If you give those comforts up. And decide to go with a different set of comforts. It's different! Like if your ok walking a 5 mile radius (giving up your vehicle) you can "work" ( getting cans and etc) you don't pay tax on that. Your money truly is your money. I feel as if that's a sense of freedom few will ever own. It's sad to us because it's foreign. Maybe our lives to him is sad. We have what he doesn't. But he also has what we don't. Being in the Marines, I've lived on the side of a mountain for months. No shower, min food, etc. Coming home I remember driving 55mph and I thought we were 100mph. On leave my cousin took me skiing off his boat. Taking a moment and standing in water was a sensory over load. Water touching me after not showering for almost a year was crazy. I actually envy this man. No life callings. Living simple! With almost not a single care in the world. Your far more blessed then me. 🙏
This lifestyle should be allowed to a degree since it is out of the way, and you'd never find him unless he wanted to be found.. Sad to hear he's no longer hear.. He's one of God's sidekicks now!! Amen
It is not often nowadays, that I can bare to watch any YT video the whole way through. Even if it is only five minutes, these five minutes kept me glued to my screen. Its very raw, touching and human video. Thank you for this and I hope wherever Walter may be now, that he has a place he can call home. RIP
such a beautiful soul. it breaks my heart to see such good hearted and kind people suffer and be forgotten by society. we have failed as a humanity, its just sad. RIP good man you are in a better place now
Just like you should be able to do, work earn & male it work for you. We don't need the constant tracking & taxing & big brother watching. Just let people live. Most people just want a peaceful life like this fella.
wow cant believe you waited 14 years to release this but understandable, wasnt expecting a huge area up high RIP Walter, would of loved to hear more of his storyies
I'm reminded of the documentary Dark Days, year 2000, it's one of the New York City gems, I advise people to see it. I always feel bad when I see something of humane inspiration and later know that person is dead. Great video Erik, made my day.
Sad fact, but we're ALL Gonna die someday, dude... i wish his life could have been better while he was alive though. but for the time he had it, he lived in a pretty nice little cubby hole. if he had kept it cleaner he'd have been getting a little apartment AND electricity for nothing. very VERY Rare in NYC. shit, Rare anywhere.
"Ain't got to much", this man is inspirational, and he has far more then money can buy, and HE KNOWS it! 💯Wow, very impressed with Walter, and his message💯
This was so cool to watch. Then going to the description of the video to find out Walter had passed... ugh my heart is broken. I didn't even know the man, but I'm over here crying for the loss of him. R.I.P Walter 🖤
That was really cool man. Thanks for showing us that, I was actually really impressed with Walter for making his life better than being ‘on the street’ when that’s all you can do. You were right, he’d made himself a little home. Thanku for making this video to show us! 😊
Erik this minidoc was incredible. You should seriously consider setting up a patreon to fund your work, I'm sure a great many people would be more than happy to sign up for more great stories like this.
I’m from the UK and lived on the railway lines as a homeless teenager. My group looked normal but our daylight lives didn’t reflect our reality. Funny thing is now I’m an adult I reflect on them times but on a personal level because who the hell would understand. RIP Walter
I left home at 14 due to a bad home life and lived in storm drains under the socal desert for a few years while working several jobs and putting myself through college. I can relate. No one knows during the day where you sleep at night, you just do your best to look normal and no one knows you're really "homeless".
G'day from Melbourne Australia, I hope your doing well now? Thankfully I was only homeless for a short time 9 years ago here but it scares the hell out of you. Wishing you the best.
if you are in the UK , you know that there is no excuse for been in the streets unless you dont want to be helped, is not like in the USA, here there is help for everyone, even for the drunks and the drug addicst, thats why there is hardly no people in the streets just the people that dont want to be help, thats the truth, USA is a mess
@@puzzlemagnet1957 Have you considered that not everyone wants to be raised in the system, and it doesn't mean they're an alcoholic or drug abuser? Oh, no, I guess you obviously didn't, huh? It's not your place to make decisions for other people, it's your place to make decisions for yourself. You don't know what other people are dealing with and you shouldn't assume.
@@syberphish you mean you dont want to find a job and been told what to do, then go an live in planet Mars, I work in something that I love and before I got there I had to do all kind of shitty jobs and a lot of effort, and study a lot, now I live a happy life, is easy to say you dont want to follow the system, cause you want to be a lazy fucker and dont put the effort, get a fucking a life and work hard, been in the streets is easy if you want to be lazy and do nothing about it ( in the UK) Im not alking about USA
I just saw this documentary I would have loved to met Walter. The ingenuity and hours of work and effort he put into making his home just blew me away. He is a inspiration. To have to climb a ladder to get in and out of his house and the difficulties he must of had getting his things up there. Wow. And he found beauty in things others threw away. The teddy bears, flowers, books. Just a amazing man.
In the last few years I've become very passionate about how our society treats the homeless. There's a stigma to it like everyone is a drug head or alcoholic. When in reality, most are just in bad situations. God bless anyone going through it and still making the best of their life.
This was absolutely fascinating. I even showed it to my young children and had a great conversation about the amazing and unique people in the world and how we should respect everyone. Thank you for respecting his privacy and sharing some of his life story with us.
I like the saying more of "treat others the way you want to be treated" I don't believe everyone is deserving of respect simply because they exist. I feel like respect is something you earned.
RIP, Walter! You lived, survived and strived in the dark tunnel. Thanks, Erik, for showing Walter's story. I lived in NYC for thirteen years, from 1974 to 1986, and heard about the underground train tunnels.
This was a fantastic short video. Ive watched other channels on similar subjects and never seen a man like walter. He is inspriring. Thanks for sharing that.
@@ince55ant why is it the job of other people to use their money to buy a property for some dude that doesn't want to work? Lmao, I'm sure there is plenty of altrusitic people like you that can pay for his rent or let him live in your house for free, I love comments like this "yeah he is a lazy bum that doesn't want to work but other people(not me) should provide for him" lmao.
This man was a really high IQ he didn’t just stumble upon this little shanty he deff thought of it and then made it a reality. He was a free spirit, not a political man just a free man. 💯 thanks Eric for sharing
@@debbiepotter4592 The vast majority of people are not homeless. There are some who end up that way through no fault of their own, such as mental illness or really bad luck, but most in that situation are basically losers in the true sense of the word. They have made poor life choices and are not inclined to fix them. It is hard to feel sympathy for people who have dug themselves a hole and have little interest in getting out.
Appreciate your work Erik. You presented this with respect, compassion, humility, kindness, and a genuine curiosity, so that we may learn something about another human being. A human being with immense value. Thank you! ✌️Mark
Absolutely respectful man you are and you have something that's lacking in our society integrity. I would like to think most would have waited out of respect but I highly doubt it. You are a good man and I wish you well.
Thank you for enquiring into this unusual life. I can feel the care and humility in your voice. I think your manner helped this ingenious man open up to you. Well done sir. (A new subscriber)
Thank you so much for making this video and interviewing that kind man man I feel so deeply in my heart for him. I live in Florida and the homeless problem is getting way out of hand here because of our housing crisis I by no means have any to help but I still find myself even with no money giving whatever money I do have to try to help the homeless people because at least I have a roof over my headThey don't do crap here in this county to help homeless people and it's just absolutely terrible all of us are only a few steps away
We are ruled by a bunch of oligarchs. Billionaires like geo. Soros *& Bill Gates & big pharma. They don't care about homeless ppl. My church has a "midnight ministry" We provide sandwiches & hot drinks to homeless ppl. Get in touch with volunteers from yr church.
@@jamesmcgee5086 only stealing from the government and big corporations and they are the reason for the homless problem . Thats a fair payment if you ask most people
What an inspiring humanbeing Walter was and he's now a beautiful Angel in Heaven. God Bless you Mr. Swanson for honoring and respecting Walter, you are one terrific person.
Very thoughtful and compassionate you waited to release this. Also, you certainly seemed to approach your interview with respect. Was glad there was the pinned comment below as that was the first thought that came to mind. RIP to him
Not everyone is "homeless" as a result of misfortune or tragedy. I know this as a former "homeless" person myself. My own experience was due to poor choices on my part. However, I met one man who inspired me to get up out of my circumstances. He never called himself "homeless" because he wasn't. His philosophy was simple, he stated "Never own more than you can carry in a backpack, because life will take it from you anyway." He wasn't dirty, addicted or mentally ill. He just loved his freedom. He worked at whatever was available, usually through temporary services. When there wasn't any work, he would go to the public library and read, or study whatever sparked his interest at the moment. He was always clean, always had money, and never complained about trifling shit, as he put it. He usually stayed in missions or shelters, but occasionally would splurge on a motel room for a night. He was quite a guy. He's probably gone now, he was in his fifties when I knew him, and this was thirty years ago. Guess he has a "home" now, God bless him.
Great story man.. as a former homeless person myself, the person you just described is someone that almost home every homeless person comes in contact with. It seems like there's always a person like that a homeless person like that on the streets..
That’s a stupid motto: “don’t keep all your govt and occupational and medical paperwork and your family pictures and mementoes”? That’s crazy. I hold to my achievements especially as I worked hard for them; Some kind of Big Brother George Orwell fixation culture your friend had..sucks!
@@madkiss8017 even if your old like 51 and in poor shape: you have to be quite Robust and healthy to jump around like that (ie 21 is different than 51): ps: this guy looked like he was 51 in this video
Thank you for sharing your encounter with Walter. He was an intelligent, resourceful man who built a castle of his own. I wonder what kind of conversations he had in his head those times he stayed there alone. RIP Walter. Wherever you are, I hope you're having a blast.
Enjoyed the video. I've always been intrigued by mole people. Seeing glimpses into how other people live can be eye opening. I think you were respectful to him but that way of life must be isolating.
Thanks, I appreciate your comments. There were a few other people living in different parts of the tunnel when I was down there, so I’m sure it is isolating, but I think he also had a small community
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
For those that are interested, or concerned... Walter passed away several years ago. I recently discovered this information. One person told me Walter was struck by a train near his home. Carlos, one of the other tunnel residents at the time, thinks he laid down to rest, and didn't get back up. He died sometime in 2012.
This video footage was shot in 2008. I waited 14 years to edit the footage out of respect for Walter's privacy and the secrecy of his home.
UPDATE: 8-28-22: I went back down to the tunnel the other day. Much has changed since the last time I was there, and even more so, since this video was shot. No one lives in this section of tunnel anymore. The entire area has been cleaned out, and is used as storage for Amtrak maintenance trains and equipment.. There is a lot of activity right in the area - construction, park maintenance crews, etc.
I ran into one former tunnel resident and another man who lives elsewhere. They confirmed that everyone was cleared out several years ago, and regular sweeps of this area are done by the cops
Very cool you waited to respect his privacy
RIP Walter 😔
I was thinking about how we know where he lives now, and the fallout of that. Now I know why you were able to post this.
Oh, I was about to comment that Walter must be protected at all costs...
What a shame, but very respectful of you to publish it only now
R.I.P to Walter
Yeesh, as soon as he revealed his location, I thought, "Walter's home is no longer his " That was very thoughtful of you to keep his privacy until after his passing. RIP Walter.
yea but he said above 80th st sign. Wonder if anyone homeless now is looking knowing he passed
@@patricklaurojr7427 of course there is.
It's New York loll
@@thechrisman1345 true lol while illegals are staying in 700 dollar night hotel rooms we have Americans on streeets
He died? How did you know that?
@@darrenstettner5381 they guy says it in the video description that he wound up dying. I could imagine living down there with all those fumes couldn't be healthy and know he prob never went to Dr or took care his health
I lost everything in life once, a long time ago, it made me understand just how precious all the small things in life really are. 42 years later I have a little home, a little life, and my two fur faces, cats. I don't beg, I don't panhandle, I don't get food stamps, I don't get welfare, I set-up at the Swap Meet and make what I need to keep my little life going. The only thing I fear is not being able to feed my fur faces, so I always make sure they come first. My pleasures in life are the two slices of pizza and a cold Pepsi once a week and every so often being able to go see a movie, that's a major event for me, popcorn, cold soda and a movie, and I really don't care what the movie is, it's the event that I look forward to. Simplicity is the answer to my happiness, and my two fur faces, Papa and Smokey, they love me. Life is good.
Take care of those 😻 they love you
I love you!
You are blessed sir. Your cats are angels that are you companions in life till the Lord takes them back home.
God bless you.
In the end all the little things truly matter.
He was my brother and my father figure. Family was most important to him. Unfortunately circumstances changed the boy into the man you see. He served in the end of the Vietnamese war which changed the boy to the man but also gave him the skills to survive the way you see in this video. There is NY Times article of him cooking a full thanksgiving meal for him another of our brother and his friends. I’m thankful for all the beautiful comments people realizing what I’ve always known what an amazing person he was. He was a constant in my life she nice the day I was born until the day the detectives came to my job to tell me he was gone. He is missed so much everyday. Thank you Erik for respecting my brother not only not disclosing his home but him as a human being.
Thank you for sharing. Sorry for your loss. In the time I spent with him, I could tell he had a good heart
Sad that his family forgot he had a daughter and three grandchildren, since he passed. But we have our memories with him to live on.
If he was your brother, you loved him so much and had such a good relationship why was he homeless and living beneath a tunnel?
@@sct296 such an awesome question
@@sct296 my dad was in vietnam as a combat medic it's possible that the war changed him like it did my father. My dad strove to fill his life full of achivment he became a doctor he went to yale he holds multiple degrees perhaps sucess was my fathers way of handling ptsd. Maybe this man handels the stress by isolating himself from others maybe he just wanted to get away from society. Despair is born only out of hope but it is difficult for people to live completely without hope, which means that people can do nothing except live with despair. They are both great men just living with that despair with the courage to live with it.
The respect I have for this man keeping Walters location safe until he died is indescribable. I think it is really cool that Walter made the best of everything he had, and built things to make himself comfortable.
If he found a way to lock his residence I would really really love it.
@@memphisreines bro what are you on about? Take your christian antics somewhere else nobody cares
Waltuh
@@flightofthebumblebee9529 He pulls the ladder up when hes there nobody so could get in. When he leaves Im sure he just layed the ladder down. No one would know what was up there.
oh I know bro, was thinking that for the most part of the video hoping that he wouldn't get cut off from electricity or just flat out kicked out, sucks he died, but I'm glad he got to enjoy that place which he viewed as home.
I'm so glad you captured this moment in time. Walter would have just passed away in obscurity, but now he lives on through your video. I'm impressed that you held the footage until after his passing. Like many, as I watched, I was concerned that he would be found and forced to leave.
wait, so deus ex didnt make this stuff up?
Not bad, living in NY without paying rent!
Walter is cool af
@@sarahbasto6520 happy that the guy lives on even making less than $25 - $30
Yes, cause people should be able to live on public property cause they are lazy
As a ex hobo some times the hardest part about the living on the street is finding a place to sleep let alone live. Mush respect to Erik for keeping it a secret and Walter for doing what many people would think impossible. I bow my head to you sir.
The true definition of a hobo used to be a guy who rode freight trains around and looked for temporary work. Now it has changed a lot.
Will I rode around on busses and looked for temporary work 🤔 good old days of labor ready
@@Elderrek At least you were being productive. Nowadays there is a group of train riders that calls themselves "Dirty Kids" and they are as the name describes. They go for weeks and months without taking a bath/shower and have 'contests' to see who can be the dirtiest and smell the worst. It's disturbing. Most hobos don't want to work at all, unfortunately. I'm a big fan of people like Hobo Shoestring on youtube who are actually pretty productive in society.
@@user-tb2jy9lu3d I know a guy like that never took a shower and would were he's clothes until they started to fall off he took pride in it i think idk I could never do that. The dirty kids going to learn a hard lesson ones there skin starts to mold and turn yellow and scabies suck lol what's the world come to.
@@user-tb2jy9lu3d Hoe boy was the original term I believe.
RIP to this man, you can tell how smart, and genuine he truly was. Great guy.
He died ??!!!! 😢
@@Helvlad read the info underneath the video!
@@combatduckie Sadly Walter passed away in 2012 when he was struck by a train.
bro I don't get how he died from being struck from a train. very sad to hear this unfortunate story.
So smart that he stayed living in NYC? No.
Walter seemed more level headed and down to earth than most people I've met in life.
Thank you for capturing this moment in time and granting him the dignity he deserved
Humanity is insane. About 95% of all humans are absolutely insane and the more "cultured" they are the more insane they are. There are varying degree's of insanity but every human could be said to have some insanity(just because they are born in a world run by lunatics).
Man, level of dignity and integrity, Walter had, pure and hard core, without filters, for all times! R. I. P. GREAT MAN.
TY 4 THIS MEMENTO MORI VIDEO
Maybe because he lives closer to earth than most people
And that is based of a handful of words Mr. Walter said during the interview? Plus, I meet normal level headed people on a daily basis not living in tunnels which makes me wonder about the areas you move around in and people you interact with...
As far as I am concerned, Mr. Walter is a homeless person by choice and a hoarder. But if that made him happy, all good and the best for him.
You mean it ain't full of illegal immigrants yet ? I predict this winter it will be populated . This guy advertized , for free . I'm sure they all have youtube on thier free cellphones .
Rest in Peace Walter, he lived life on his own terms. Thank you for giving him the respect he deserved and in documenting this moment in his life.
He died ?
He died being a loser lol let’s not try kid ourselves
he seemed to be a decent intelligent man. I hope his passing was peaceful.
Disgusting. He wasted his life. Let that be a lesson to all. Some people will mooch endlessly and dont care.
He lived life on his own terms. You call that living?? Being in the street, unseen by most, scorned by some? Not knowing when next meal will be? When next shower will be? That is not living.
I was homeless for 5 years in New York. I also “lived” under the streets. Walters home was way nicer than mine. This video brought tears.. rip
Did you manage to get a home and do you know if anyone has occupied Walters place?
How did you get out of homelessness?
There is a lot about people on the streets on the internet, but very little about how they can get a better life.
Would you share your story?
🖖
@@theinnerlight8016 Start volunteering somewhere, get experience working, move from there
So much love ❤️ to you both
Ny is expensive it’s not your faulr
BEYOND HUGE RESPECT for NOT revealing Walter's HOME. This guy had made the best out of a bad hand dealt to him and he wasn't hurting anybody. Yha he boosted a little electricity but I don't kick those who are down. God Bless him AND YOU, SIR for not destroying the trust between the two of you..
Doesn't matter if he revealed his home. He died over 10 years ago. Such a sad and alone man. I hope he found peace
@@cptclown2110 I ment he had an agreement with the man TO NOT reveal his home in the documentary UNTIL AFTER HE DIED.,and the documentary man KEPT HIS WORD
I appreciate your integrity dude, 9 years since this man passed for you to post this video. This man is a legend, may he be remembered and rest in peace.
Walter is really a smart man. He learned how to provide electricity to his home and repair computers by himself. My deep respect for him.
haha omg you thought he was serious.
@@justinsmith4562 Yes, because he was.
He stole electricity. Didn't provide anything.
The elite know how to make the earth produce it free.
How did you come up with that conclusion?
Erik, it would be a great world if everyone showed the same respect for their fellow man as you showed Walter. I have a feeling you have helped many people in your life.
I think a lot of people miss the point that this form of living isn’t conducive to great mental health. I can’t imagine Walter was here because it was what he truly wanted but the best he could figure out. He deserved more. I wish he’d gotten help.
Romanticizing or accepting this as ‘acceptable’ living conditions, is a huge disservice.
@@Jackjohnjay Its safe and away from alot of the shit life throws at you on the streets while homeless. he had electricity for cooking and running appliances, shelter from the rain and a bit of security while he slept, when youve been on the streets these things really matter.
Repent and follow Jesus my friend! Repenting doesn't mean confessing your sins to others, but to stop doing them altogether. Belief in Messiah alone is not enough to get you into heaven - Matthew 7:21-23, John 3:3, John 3:36 (ESV is the best translation for John 3:36). Contemplate how the Roman empire fulfilled the role of the beast from the sea in Revelation 13. Revelation 17 confirms that it is in fact Rome. From this we can conclude that A) Jesus is the Son of God and can predict the future or make it happen, B) The world leaders/nations/governments etc have been conspiring together for the last 3000+ years to accomplish the religion of the Israelites C) History as we know it is fake. You don't really need to speculate though because you can start a relationship with God and have proof. Call on the name of Jesus and pray for Him to intervene in your life. - Revelation 3:20
Revelation 6 1st Seal: White horse = Roman Empire conquering nations under Trajan 98-117 AD & Gospel spreading rapidly. 2nd Seal: Red horse, bloody civil wars with 32 different Emperors, most killed by the sword. 185-284 AD 3rd Seal: Black horse, economic despair from high taxes to pay for wars, farmers stopped growing. 200-250 AD 4th Seal: Pale horse, 1/4th of Romans died from famine, pestilence; at one point 5,000 dying per day. 250-300 AD 5th Seal: Diocletian persecuted Smyrna church era saints for ten years, blood crying out for vengeance. 303-312 AD 6th Seal: Political upheaval in the declining Roman Empire while the leaders battled each other. 313-395 AD
Revelation 7 Sealing of 144,000, the saints, before trumpet war judgments, which led to the fall of the Roman Empire.
Revelation 8 1st Trumpet: Alaric and the Goths attacked from the north, the path of hail, and set it on fire. 400-410 AD 2nd Trumpet: Genseric and the Vandals attacked the seas and coastlands, the blood of sailors in water. 425-470 AD 3rd Trumpet: Attila and the Huns scourged the Danube, Rhine & Po rivers area, dead bodies made water bitter. 451 AD 4th Trumpet: Odoacer and the Heruli caused the last Western Emperor (sun), Senate (moon) to lose power. 476 AD With the Western Roman Emperor (restrainer of 2 Thes. 2) removed; the son of perdition Popes took power.
Revelation 9 Two woe judgments against the central 1/3rd and eastern 1/3rd of the Roman Empire. 612-1453 AD 5th Trumpet: Locust & scorpions point to Arabia, the rise of the Muslim army. Islam hides Gospel from Arabs. 612-762 AD 6th Trumpet: Turks released to attack Constantinople with large cannons (fire, smoke, brimstone). 1062-1453 AD
Revelation 10 The little book is the printed Bible, which was needed after the Dark Ages when Scriptures were banned by Popes.
Revelation 11 7th Trumpet: Martin Luther measured Roman Church; found that it’s an apostate church, not part of true temple. The two witnesses are the Scriptures and saints who proclaim the pure Gospel and testify against the antichrist Popes. Papal Church pronounced Christendom dead in 1514 AD. Silence for 3.5 years. Then Luther posted his 95 Thesis, which sparked the Protestant Reformation and brought the witnesses back to life. Millions of Catholics were saved.
Revelation 12 Satan used the Roman Empire to try to wipe out the early Church, Satan was cast down as the Empire collapsed.
Revelation 13 The antichrist beast Popes reigned in power 1,260 years, 538-1798, is the little horn of Daniel 7, son of perdition. The false prophet Jesuit Superior General rose to power from land (earth) of Vatican and has created many deceptions.
Revelation 14 Points to great harvest during the Protestant Reformation & wrath on Catholic countries who obey antichrist Pope.
Revelation 15 Overcoming saints victorious over the beast. Prelude to 7 vials and judgment on those who support Papal Rome.
Revelation 16 1st Vial: The foul sore of atheism was poured out on Catholic France, leaving them with no hope, led to revolution. 2nd Vial: The French Revolution started in 1793, killed 250,000, as France had obeyed the Pope and killed saints. 3rd Vial: The French Revolution spread to rural areas of France, where Protestants had been killed in river areas. 4th Vial: The bloody Napoleonic wars shed the blood of countries who had revered and obeyed the antichrist Pope. 5th Vial: Judgment on the seat of the beast. Papal States invaded in 1798, Pope imprisoned, removed from power. 6th Vial: The Turks vast domain dried up, they were only left with Turkey. They lost control of Palestine in 1917 AD, Israel became a nation again in 1948
The fact that you kept the footage and waited means you have my respect, You're a real blogger if you ask me.
I really liked the genuine exchange between the filmmaker and this homeless man- so beautifully captured and full of respect til the end and beyond.
If you think he's homeless you missed the whole point of the video.
Just stumbled across this video. The entire time I was watching I felt concerned and uneasy over the possibility of Walter's home being discovered due to this film. Until I read the filmmaker's update. Wow, just wow. I admire and appreciate your integrity and compassion. It's good to know there are people like you out there.
Same thoughts.
I was saying the same, an behold. Great Job on not exposing the Dude RIP he made his bed.
First thing I thought or did was surprised that he hadn't had a fire down there yet with that long extension chord and what he would do if it did happen but your concerns are definitely very valid!
Sadly Walter passed away in 2012 when he was struck by a train.
@@poundtrader1414 really? He was struck by a train?
You could’ve fooled me if you told me you shot this footage last week. 2008? WOW! seriously amazes me how you remembered and actually maintained the footage for so many years. R.I.P to Walter, time waits for no one &’ I’m sure Walter enjoyed life on his own terms. I wonder what could’ve been of Walter if we could’ve help him better him self in todays date. None the less great content, served me great as a late night video. Thank you
Such luxury. Everything I own gets destroyed by other people every now and then. "All these memories will be lost in time - like tears in rain."
@@brexitgreens IT'S TOO BAD SHE WON'T LIVE, BUT THEN AGAIN WHO DOES?
@@marko3270 Good comment - mindlessly censored by UA-cam 😑.
How and when did Walter died?
He was my brother. This is the only life he knew after serving in the last of the Vietnamese war. He had family who loved him and he was always welcomed but this is the life he loved.
What a smart and creative man!
He literally made an actual functioning home for himself all alone. Being this level of independent(which is what should be basic for all of us really) is true freedom!
He remains a legend.
Dude had more space to live in then most people in New York, you have to respect the ingenuity this truly did have.
imagine now if he had a job like us, he would not have to pay rent and pocket all that money rank over 100k fast! in a year with a simple job
@@matchbox7811 100k with a simple job ? In what world do you live in ? Minimum wage would barely get you 20k a year so it would take at least 5 years to get to 100k and that's if he doesn't spend anything.
@@AZdirtdog stop spreading lies, the pinned comment says he died 9 years ago
@@AZdirtdog I'm on my 17 hour trip to NYC as I type! 🌆🚗
@@matchbox7811 why would he work, when he has a home for free? he's done.
70 years ago I visited my grandmother at West 86th St at the river and heard those trains roaring by under the huge air vents. I wondered at the time if anybody hung out down there. Fascinating story very kindly presented.
He lived just like people did in the late 1800's and early 1900's did. Small cramped areas that didn't have much room for excess comfort. He was very handy and I wish him the best to the life after life. RIP Walter
I mean, most ppl on NY are more cramped
Nicely said
There are worse places than that in NY that cost you an arm and a leg to rent. So there is that.
Timothy you are on the money great point !!!
He was very smart to set up his electricity & cooking stove. Didn't he have family to help him?
I love his setup. Looks so cozy. I bet he was living the life. Proves you don't need riches to live a rich life of peace and serenity. Love it. RIP.
Ironically, he was happier than some “rich” people who live in huge homes and have nice cars, but are empty or miserable inside.
Right? Just need the bare necessities, and a little extra.
When you think of homeless people, you think of drug or alcohol addicts whom have just given up on life. People like Walter show the ingenious of human adaptation when it comes to getting by in this crazy world. God Bless Walter, and I pray he has a much better, happier home now.
You think he hasn't been on drugs or alcohol?
He’s with god now
the US has a crazy homelessness problem...
so many veterans dying, starving, or by their own hands on the street.
its .. horrible
walter was clearly an addict and the math of his hustle made no sense. he was gettin state help but didnt want to admit it.
@@underarmbowlingincidentof1981 Every country does the world is more than just America. Typical American
They're all still human. A good portion of them are more down to earth and considerate than many in common society.
Eh, many have issues of why they avoid society and the issues are usually terribly unsavory
Amen
Exactly
@fiendbastards Do you differentiate between the small percentage of people who lost everything through no fault of their own and the large percent of people or in that situation through countless bad choices?
@@ThomasJones-ij6hv the question is: do we see a difference in reality.
And what exactly is one owns fault...
We are all born in to this brutal Modern world and it does not suit most of the people. See how many depressed sad people there are.
So who we gona blame for the mess we live in.
Thank you so much for this video, it's a thing of beauty. Thanks also for holding off sharing it till after Walter had passed to protect his privacy, that shows both intelligence and compassion. RIP Walter.
Thanks, I appreciate it
Did he own the property he was violating?
Violating? He was making use of a space that no one else used or wanted.
@@ErikKSwanson he is squatting like the students at Peoples Park in Berkeley did.
@@ErikKSwanson Never mind him Erik. He's neither brave enough to show his face or let us see his name. Seems like the village troll to me.
Erik, thanks for presenting these stories. You do so without being exploitative, and with a genuine respect for their homes. Thanks for sharing.
I'm so sad to see that Walter has passed away.
He seemed an amazing and gentle soul, and we could use more like him in our world today.
Thank you for keeping his existence and location a secret all these years.
You are a good man.
I wish you rainbows.
The amount of impressed I am by this man, that he made his own house, survived, flourished on his own, was content, comfortable, and from the looks of it, happy. Couldn't be explained. The respect for him to have that privacy until long after he passed is so kind, I can't imagine most others would do the same. May he fly high in Valhalla.
✊✊✊
Kinda funny you had to signify you are an Asatru/Norse pagan
@@abyssstrider2547 I'm actually an atheist but I follow norse beliefs. Go off tho
@@shadowbear1231 Go off? What does that mean?
Btw i also like Norse beliefs.
It cannot be stated plainly enough. You Sir, are a Gentleman. Your respect for Walter is proof.
Thank you for your stories, your reporters, we are from Germany and I feel very close, you are a cool guy and your voice is very pleasant
This was a raw look into what life is really like for far too many. This man has at least made the best out of it. Hurts my heart yet it's also inspiring to see. Great video.
@Brandon Don't have to imagine that at all...it's happening all around us everyday.
@Brandon Imagine being able to make 20 or 30 dollars a day or more without having to pay rent and utilities and not being able to get yourself out of the situation. In a few months he could have enough to take a train to a less expensive town and get an apartment, get a job, and be a productive member of society. This man chooses to live like this.
Walter had a HOME, so he was not homeless, just houseless. He had what he needed, and he wasn’t in major debt like everyone in America struggling. Most couldn’t survive like Walter
love the poetry of your first sentence.
Ah yes, your language shows us all that you deeply understand the problem and have compassion. Now your work is done. You can go on living like the rest of us do but you'll be superior.
I'd rather live in debt than live on the streets bruh
@@rerun3283 🙄🙄
@@rerun3283 ironically, in your bid to frame op as someone derailing the video to prove their moral superiority you do what you are accusing them of
So sorry to hear he is gone. I would have liked to have known him. Thanks for the time you spent with him.
Tsk least he in peace. A lot of ppl gonna end up like him in America. The dream is dead
@@williamthecenobite8504 Right now they are killing the dream just maybe Walter was ahead of his time leaving us all a message of survival.
@@MegaTriumph1 perhaps. Or maybe a loner who really did not want to deal with our conformist society. Smfh. One of my worst nightmares is being homeless and I'm seeing more and more Americans out on the streets. And I'm not talking about flat out bums. Some who worked their whole lives. We have elderly ppl living in their cars. It's getting bad. Whoever's pulling the strings behind all this. It's going to have some serious hell to pay one day Jesus was right it's much more easier than a camel to enter the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter into heaven
@@williamthecenobite8504 🎤🔽
Thank you for caring more about that man then views on a video and waiting to post it for his privacy. much respect💯
I was homeless for about 4 months, at first I staying a couple different abandoned houses then I got into a shelter and got a job. None of my co-workers had any idea what was going on with me. So if you don't think it could happen to you ,your wrong it can happen to anyone
Same here...just started a job two weeks ago and hopefully I can get things back on track soon.
@@DragonAurora you can I swear there's nothing special about me there were 60 guys that stayed at that shelter every nite I was the only one who had a job and they even had a computer room with a guy who would help people apply for jobs online. I also signed up at the shelter so I could work late hours were I had to do dishes/laundry,ect at the shelter, you can do this!!!!!!!!!
@@DragonAurora Prayed for you after reading this. Keep your head up- You’ve got this!!!!
@@DragonAurora you got this ✌️
Yeah, and especially in places where they don't give a s*** about people, only money. I've never been homeless myself, but it was very close back in my younger days, but luckily I live in a "commie" country ( as most of you Americans would call it 😉) so I got help from the local authorities, and they got me a small one room apartment. It wasn't much but it was home.
I'm retired, have savings, yet still worry that I may end up on the street. This video is inspiring. If you're not hooked on fentanyl or crack, keep yourself relatively healthy and have a resourceful mind, you can get by in this jaded, money-suck world.
True there's ways to make money that doesn't involve drags or othere things living in Michigan I haunted for cans true not going to get rich and it was vary humbling but it was a lot better then what some people did to get by.
Repent and follow Jesus my friend! Repenting doesn't mean confessing your sins to others, but to stop doing them altogether. Belief in Messiah alone is not enough to get you into heaven - Matthew 7:21-23, John 3:3, John 3:36 (ESV is the best translation for John 3:36). Contemplate how the Roman empire fulfilled the role of the beast from the sea in Revelation 13. Revelation 17 confirms that it is in fact Rome. From this we can conclude that A) Jesus is the Son of God and can predict the future or make it happen, B) The world leaders/nations/governments etc have been conspiring together for the last 3000+ years to accomplish the religion of the Israelites C) History as we know it is fake. You don't really need to speculate though because you can start a relationship with God and have proof. Call on the name of Jesus and pray for Him to intervene in your life. - Revelation 3:20
Revelation 6 1st Seal: White horse = Roman Empire conquering nations under Trajan 98-117 AD & Gospel spreading rapidly. 2nd Seal: Red horse, bloody civil wars with 32 different Emperors, most killed by the sword. 185-284 AD 3rd Seal: Black horse, economic despair from high taxes to pay for wars, farmers stopped growing. 200-250 AD 4th Seal: Pale horse, 1/4th of Romans died from famine, pestilence; at one point 5,000 dying per day. 250-300 AD 5th Seal: Diocletian persecuted Smyrna church era saints for ten years, blood crying out for vengeance. 303-312 AD 6th Seal: Political upheaval in the declining Roman Empire while the leaders battled each other. 313-395 AD
Revelation 7 Sealing of 144,000, the saints, before trumpet war judgments, which led to the fall of the Roman Empire.
Revelation 8 1st Trumpet: Alaric and the Goths attacked from the north, the path of hail, and set it on fire. 400-410 AD 2nd Trumpet: Genseric and the Vandals attacked the seas and coastlands, the blood of sailors in water. 425-470 AD 3rd Trumpet: Attila and the Huns scourged the Danube, Rhine & Po rivers area, dead bodies made water bitter. 451 AD 4th Trumpet: Odoacer and the Heruli caused the last Western Emperor (sun), Senate (moon) to lose power. 476 AD With the Western Roman Emperor (restrainer of 2 Thes. 2) removed; the son of perdition Popes took power.
Revelation 9 Two woe judgments against the central 1/3rd and eastern 1/3rd of the Roman Empire. 612-1453 AD 5th Trumpet: Locust & scorpions point to Arabia, the rise of the Muslim army. Islam hides Gospel from Arabs. 612-762 AD 6th Trumpet: Turks released to attack Constantinople with large cannons (fire, smoke, brimstone). 1062-1453 AD
Revelation 10 The little book is the printed Bible, which was needed after the Dark Ages when Scriptures were banned by Popes.
Revelation 11 7th Trumpet: Martin Luther measured Roman Church; found that it’s an apostate church, not part of true temple. The two witnesses are the Scriptures and saints who proclaim the pure Gospel and testify against the antichrist Popes. Papal Church pronounced Christendom dead in 1514 AD. Silence for 3.5 years. Then Luther posted his 95 Thesis, which sparked the Protestant Reformation and brought the witnesses back to life. Millions of Catholics were saved.
Revelation 12 Satan used the Roman Empire to try to wipe out the early Church, Satan was cast down as the Empire collapsed.
Revelation 13 The antichrist beast Popes reigned in power 1,260 years, 538-1798, is the little horn of Daniel 7, son of perdition. The false prophet Jesuit Superior General rose to power from land (earth) of Vatican and has created many deceptions.
Revelation 14 Points to great harvest during the Protestant Reformation & wrath on Catholic countries who obey antichrist Pope.
Revelation 15 Overcoming saints victorious over the beast. Prelude to 7 vials and judgment on those who support Papal Rome.
Revelation 16 1st Vial: The foul sore of atheism was poured out on Catholic France, leaving them with no hope, led to revolution. 2nd Vial: The French Revolution started in 1793, killed 250,000, as France had obeyed the Pope and killed saints. 3rd Vial: The French Revolution spread to rural areas of France, where Protestants had been killed in river areas. 4th Vial: The bloody Napoleonic wars shed the blood of countries who had revered and obeyed the antichrist Pope. 5th Vial: Judgment on the seat of the beast. Papal States invaded in 1798, Pope imprisoned, removed from power. 6th Vial: The Turks vast domain dried up, they were only left with Turkey. They lost control of Palestine in 1917 AD, Israel became a nation again in 1948
ive been living nomadically on the land for twelve years now.... neva tried tried no dirty drugs ever... smoke weed now an again... travel by freight... live in tha forest a lot.. i lovve people who live outside of society... the most grounded humans in my opinion
@@LoVeInADiUniVerSe well most of us lived on the ground 😆 if it wasn't for meth hitting the camps it was great and I'd probably still be there but things got crazy after that and vary violent. People stop working together fights and stealing become a nightly thing everything's we built become trash.
@@Elderrek lol ... i thought about that soon as i said grounded.... i hear u.. but me personally one thing i dont do is live near other people i like my space.. an absolutely reqiure my space.. and i dont sleep around people i dont know... only with people im movin around wit if any... being around other peoples trash is sumthin i absolutely will not do... bam... so all dats nipped in da bud for me... plus i generally dont be in tha cities.. and when i am i make it a point to go find a place where nobody is for at least 300 feet in all directions....
He seemed so kind. I bet he had so many interesting stories about his life!!
Hello Alexandria Fitts,👋
Your comment are wonderful ❤️ I really like us to be friends if you don't mind
Amazing video. Almost hits home. I'm "homeless" as well. I live in a cabin I built on the river in a small town in California. The amount of respect you have for his discretion and privacy is not a level of respect found anymore. I truly admire you for this video and precautions taken. Have an amazing day sir
Do u have a family
A cabin along the river sounds amazing but only if you can afford to keep a generator running.
I use solar panels, I have a generator for backup and rainy days, but I also work full time
@@motivatorquotes5680 no, most of my family has passed and the remaining family don't speak to me
RIP Walter. I’m so glad you could share at least a small part of his life.
I am astonished by that guy. So much time on the street and still extremely articulate, very well rounded, and he created just a super surprising home for himself. That's amazing.
I was on the streets for a few years. I met many articulate smart artistic talented people out there. It’s the same as anywhere really. You have very bright, not so bright, mentally ill, elderly, they are just people. Like everyone else
You sound like a bot. Are you?
He was my brother and very knowledgeable always loved learning. He would maybe have been someone different if it wasn’t for the Vietnamese war. He left one way and came back very different.
@@theresawengert8875 That explains everything.
This is not only humbling but it is extremely well made. You managed to maintain the gentleman's dignity while telling his story. Well done to you, and koudos to Walter, he seems to have been a kind soul. May he rest in peace. Thank you for this video, I will not soon forget it. Cheers
Heartwarming to see good people still in this world. Between the video and the comments I’m tearing up very eye opening to be grateful for anything we have. And if you can help those who may need what we have in abundance. Trust me your care for someone matters more than you think. Amazing video Erik
R.I.P Walter
I don't know what it is, but there's a strange "chills" feeling down my spine in a good way. The feeling that i'm missing out on something. Something in me says we're all stuck in this society and way of living. We're all seeking a way out somehow. Some by making lots of money and others by traveling the world. This guy is happier than most of us I can bet you that!
True
@@earth_is_a_time_machine if he is dead doesn't mean he wasn't happy back in his living days
He was!
Yes he can find accomplishment in his day to day surviving. How many of us can say that anymore I mean really say it and mean it?
@@earth_is_a_time_machine Majority are belittled not rewarded for playing along with society. You get to work all day like a dog wile this dood can pick up cans and make twice as much money in the same amount of time, as the degrading low paying societal job.
Respect to Walter...my heart hurts to hear he passed away and then his home cleared away like it was nothing.
LoL it was nothing.
he is a thief, and a vagrant
Yes, just leave the festering garbage and feces he had there as a memorial. Could give him a name on a plaque or something, instead.
It is sad, but that is what they do to everyone who dies. Clean them out. I have seen some sad and unremorsful shit. Blessed.
His home could have become a fantastic museum of the "mole people" culture. What a miss. RIP
Thanks for sharing. Very well put together edit and cinematography 💕 So sad to hear of Walter's passing. Seemed like such a nice guy. Hope his family knows the positively he gave out to the 1000s of people here watching this 💕👍
Thank you for your sensitivity and respect for this gentleman in sharing this video of his home. Ive dedicated my life to working with and advocating for people experiencing homelessness and I’m always so grateful for anything that reminds the rest of the world of the tenacity, ingenuity, and beauty of people living outside. The only thing that causes homelessness is a lack of affordable housing and many of us don’t understand how close we are to losing everything. Thank you.
Thanks for your kind words. I think you’re right - people need to see that not all homeless fit the stereotype of “drug addicted, lazy, or crazy”
Yeah but yet the are housing illegals in 5 star hotels forgetting about the homeless vets .
Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a video in awhile that has made me genuinely reflect. Thank you for sharing Walter’s story with us and thank you for respecting his privacy.
Hi Erik - no idea how I came across your channel, but this blew me away. The type of work that deserves to be seen on national television.
Sad to hear he passed - the world needs more of Walter. May he rest in peace.
Walter almost crying as he said "this is home" kinda killed the entire vibe right at the end too. His spot reminds me of the old timers who were serving long bids and amassed everything one in prison can. I feel for the guy...
He wasn't anywhere near crying..
I don't think he's crying, that's just his voice, esp when smoking
@FireOasis you said it better then I had. I couldn't tell if it was shame or just sadness, but something was certainly there at the very end. even those making the best of their situation in life can struggle for regret or fullfillment.
@@Quagigitymire People talking about how he is fulfilled and the rest of it, clearly don't read people every well. There is honour in his ability to persist and adapt though.
Very humbling and sad to see he has gone.There is a place in this world for everybody and thankfully we are not all the same.Good to see the respect that you have given him for his privacy and secrecy.
What an incredibly intelligent and ingenious man. Rest in peace Walter.
Thank you for posting this. Walter seems like he had so many stories to tell, sorry to learn of his passing
A cool interview by a compassionate, non judging guy. Really astounding what this mole has done.
I admire how Walter made the best of his situation. He used all available resources and made himself a comfortable shelter. He was even able to have electricity and entertainment. May he rest in peace.
This impacted me in a way that's hard to describe. A mixture of joy and then sadness once I learned he had passed away.
So many people take so much for granted, it makes me think our culture is broken in a way. It's not until you lose everything that you really learn to appreciate anything.
Well said, and sadly so very true.
❤️❤️
I did a year in jail and let me tell you, all I thought about was freedom and just getting to sit outside and enjoy the breeze and the sun on my face. I essentially lost everything for that year and yes it does in fact give you fantastic perspective!
No need to describe it. Many of us get it. Society is use to comforts. We pay for those comforts in taxes, everyday headaches, drama, etc. If you give those comforts up. And decide to go with a different set of comforts. It's different! Like if your ok walking a 5 mile radius (giving up your vehicle) you can "work" ( getting cans and etc) you don't pay tax on that. Your money truly is your money. I feel as if that's a sense of freedom few will ever own. It's sad to us because it's foreign. Maybe our lives to him is sad. We have what he doesn't. But he also has what we don't. Being in the Marines, I've lived on the side of a mountain for months. No shower, min food, etc. Coming home I remember driving 55mph and I thought we were 100mph. On leave my cousin took me skiing off his boat. Taking a moment and standing in water was a sensory over load. Water touching me after not showering for almost a year was crazy. I actually envy this man. No life callings. Living simple! With almost not a single care in the world. Your far more blessed then me. 🙏
This lifestyle should be allowed to a degree since it is out of the way, and you'd never find him unless he wanted to be found.. Sad to hear he's no longer hear.. He's one of God's sidekicks now!! Amen
This is the kind of fantastic content that I keep going back to UA-cam for. A story about a world I’d never even know existed otherwise. Great stuff
Seriously!
It is not often nowadays, that I can bare to watch any YT video the whole way through. Even if it is only five minutes, these five minutes kept me glued to my screen. Its very raw, touching and human video. Thank you for this and I hope wherever Walter may be now, that he has a place he can call home. RIP
such a beautiful soul. it breaks my heart to see such good hearted and kind people suffer and be forgotten by society. we have failed as a humanity, its just sad. RIP good man you are in a better place now
im in a pretty desperate situation help me out. back up your talk. or are you just like all the other failed humans???
Incredible video he didn't ask for anything he went out and earned his money selling books and repairing computers rest in peace Walter!
Just like you should be able to do, work earn & male it work for you.
We don't need the constant tracking & taxing & big brother watching. Just let people live.
Most people just want a peaceful life like this fella.
wow cant believe you waited 14 years to release this but understandable, wasnt expecting a huge area up high RIP Walter, would of loved to hear more of his storyies
Wait until it gets 15° below zero this year . It will be over populated ... There should be a Starbucks down there .
I'm reminded of the documentary Dark Days, year 2000, it's one of the New York City gems, I advise people to see it. I always feel bad when I see something of humane inspiration and later know that person is dead. Great video Erik, made my day.
Did you knows the documentary,
Called ( in French),
'' dans les entrailles de New-york'?
Décade Early ago,
#master-ufo-piece
Thank you so much ! This video inspires me so much for a scenario as I love writing stories and I will buy this book to have more inspiration 🤩🥰
Just watched it so amazing, thanks for recommending I'd never heard of it before
Dark days is one of those documentaries that changed my life when it came out.
Sad fact, but we're ALL Gonna die someday, dude... i wish his life could have been better while he was alive though. but for the time he had it, he lived in a pretty nice little cubby hole. if he had kept it cleaner he'd have been getting a little apartment AND electricity for nothing. very VERY Rare in NYC. shit, Rare anywhere.
Your videos are the best.
One feels for his fellow human but also admires their ingenuity.
Great job Erik.
From Sweden
Thank you, I appreciate it
"Ain't got to much", this man is inspirational, and he has far more then money can buy, and HE KNOWS it! 💯Wow, very impressed with Walter, and his message💯
This guy would have survived the apocalypse for sure, great video!
He is surviving an apocalypse
This was so cool to watch. Then going to the description of the video to find out Walter had passed... ugh my heart is broken. I didn't even know the man, but I'm over here crying for the loss of him.
R.I.P Walter 🖤
That was really cool man. Thanks for showing us that, I was actually really impressed with Walter for making his life better than being ‘on the street’ when that’s all you can do. You were right, he’d made himself a little home. Thanku for making this video to show us! 😊
Incredible look into his life. Really makes you respect his intelligence and resourcefulness. I loved how content he was with what he had.
Erik this minidoc was incredible. You should seriously consider setting up a patreon to fund your work, I'm sure a great many people would be more than happy to sign up for more great stories like this.
I’m from the UK and lived on the railway lines as a homeless teenager. My group looked normal but our daylight lives didn’t reflect our reality.
Funny thing is now I’m an adult I reflect on them times but on a personal level because who the hell would understand.
RIP Walter
I left home at 14 due to a bad home life and lived in storm drains under the socal desert for a few years while working several jobs and putting myself through college. I can relate. No one knows during the day where you sleep at night, you just do your best to look normal and no one knows you're really "homeless".
G'day from Melbourne Australia, I hope your doing well now? Thankfully I was only homeless for a short time 9 years ago here but it scares the hell out of you.
Wishing you the best.
if you are in the UK , you know that there is no excuse for been in the streets unless you dont want to be helped, is not like in the USA, here there is help for everyone, even for the drunks and the drug addicst, thats why there is hardly no people in the streets just the people that dont want to be help, thats the truth, USA is a mess
@@puzzlemagnet1957 Have you considered that not everyone wants to be raised in the system, and it doesn't mean they're an alcoholic or drug abuser? Oh, no, I guess you obviously didn't, huh?
It's not your place to make decisions for other people, it's your place to make decisions for yourself. You don't know what other people are dealing with and you shouldn't assume.
@@syberphish you mean you dont want to find a job and been told what to do, then go an live in planet Mars, I work in something that I love and before I got there I had to do all kind of shitty jobs and a lot of effort, and study a lot, now I live a happy life, is easy to say you dont want to follow the system, cause you want to be a lazy fucker and dont put the effort, get a fucking a life and work hard, been in the streets is easy if you want to be lazy and do nothing about it ( in the UK) Im not alking about USA
I just saw this documentary I would have loved to met Walter. The ingenuity and hours of work and effort he put into making his home just blew me away. He is a inspiration. To have to climb a ladder to get in and out of his house and the difficulties he must of had getting his things up there. Wow. And he found beauty in things others threw away. The teddy bears, flowers, books. Just a amazing man.
In the last few years I've become very passionate about how our society treats the homeless. There's a stigma to it like everyone is a drug head or alcoholic. When in reality, most are just in bad situations. God bless anyone going through it and still making the best of their life.
No most are drug addicts and mentally ill plus they CHOOSE to stay homeless
Then you have Nevada officials destrroying small homes provided by volunteers to homeless. Such a nice "society"
From what I've experienced or observed, most are junkies.
And why are they in bad situations? Usually something they did that put them there.
This was absolutely fascinating. I even showed it to my young children and had a great conversation about the amazing and unique people in the world and how we should respect everyone.
Thank you for respecting his privacy and sharing some of his life story with us.
Theres a whole documentary about it. I think it's called Mole People.
@@seanp9157 I'm interested in checking that out for sure. Was the documentary as respectful of the people interviewed as this video was?
I like the saying more of "treat others the way you want to be treated"
I don't believe everyone is deserving of respect simply because they exist. I feel like respect is something you earned.
@@bobshanery5152 as an adult I tend to lean towards show everyone respect until the person proves themselves unworthy of that respect.
RIP, Walter! You lived, survived and strived in the dark tunnel. Thanks, Erik, for showing Walter's story. I lived in NYC for thirteen years, from 1974 to 1986, and heard about the underground train tunnels.
This was a fantastic short video. Ive watched other channels on similar subjects and never seen a man like walter.
He is inspriring.
Thanks for sharing that.
Rip walter seemed like a genuinely cool guy, who really lived his life how he want
i dont think he wanted to live in a hole in the ground surrounded by trash.
A caring society wouldd have housed this man. smh
@Scoonie yeah Walter even said he chose to do it.
@@alexrekzu4079 Soon people won't have* that choice anymore, all in the new system.
@@ince55ant why is it the job of other people to use their money to buy a property for some dude that doesn't want to work? Lmao, I'm sure there is plenty of altrusitic people like you that can pay for his rent or let him live in your house for free, I love comments like this "yeah he is a lazy bum that doesn't want to work but other people(not me) should provide for him" lmao.
Yeah what a rebel living in squalor
Well done. I have been homeless for 5 straight years and counting. I understand Walter. R.I.P.
where do you live?
@Timothy TwoTwoThree I was wondering which state and city.
Every state is different
Why are you homeless?
here before someone said "so why you have a phone" or "but you have internet connection?" or something similar.
@@Xhopp3r Probably a loser
Not many people would be as respectful as you. Great job sir. You are an incredible human. And so was Walter.
Thanks Eric, fantastic content. I hope Walter had a happy life. He seemed content with his little. We could all learn a lot from him.
It's nice you treated him with respect! We are all human beings after all, and no matter our situation we all deserve at least that!
Really makes you appreciate what you have and the little simple things in life that we take for granted.
This man was a really high IQ he didn’t just stumble upon this little shanty he deff thought of it and then made it a reality. He was a free spirit, not a political man just a free man. 💯 thanks Eric for sharing
25-30 usd a day and free living its not to bad by todays standards
No, he was a bum, lol.
I was homeless for a few years. It makes u realize there are no small things in life. Brand new socks, that was def a highlight.
@@debbiepotter4592 The vast majority of people are not homeless. There are some who end up that way through no fault of their own, such as mental illness or really bad luck, but most in that situation are basically losers in the true sense of the word. They have made poor life choices and are not inclined to fix them. It is hard to feel sympathy for people who have dug themselves a hole and have little interest in getting out.
@@debbiepotter4592 how did you become homeless if you dont mind telling?
Appreciate your work Erik. You presented this with respect, compassion, humility, kindness, and a genuine curiosity, so that we may learn something about another human being. A human being with immense value. Thank you! ✌️Mark
Absolutely respectful man you are and you have something that's lacking in our society integrity. I would like to think most would have waited out of respect but I highly doubt it. You are a good man and I wish you well.
RIP Walter. The production has a timeless quality as you didn't show the surface of the streets. Good work.
Thank you for enquiring into this unusual life. I can feel the care and humility in your voice. I think your manner helped this ingenious man open up to you. Well done sir. (A new subscriber)
My respect for how respectful you portraits this and other homeless, keep up the good work!
Thank you, I appreciate it
Thank you so much for making this video and interviewing that kind man man I feel so deeply in my heart for him. I live in Florida and the homeless problem is getting way out of hand here because of our housing crisis I by no means have any to help but I still find myself even with no money giving whatever money I do have to try to help the homeless people because at least I have a roof over my headThey don't do crap here in this county to help homeless people and it's just absolutely terrible all of us are only a few steps away
Well the problem with Florida is the land there is not designed for mass population. In about 100 years a swath of the state will be under water
We are ruled by a bunch of oligarchs. Billionaires like geo. Soros *& Bill Gates & big pharma. They don't care about homeless ppl. My church has a "midnight ministry" We provide sandwiches & hot drinks to homeless ppl. Get in touch with volunteers from yr church.
This homeless man had electricity and hooked himself up to the Internet,truly a legend.
Truly a thief.
@@jamesmcgee5086 bit harsh. People need to survive. I bet you wouldn't last one night down there James.
@@jamesmcgee5086 only stealing from the government and big corporations and they are the reason for the homless problem . Thats a fair payment if you ask most people
i must have missed the part where he had a working internet connection.
Therefore he is not homeless.
What an inspiring humanbeing Walter was and he's now a beautiful Angel in Heaven. God Bless you Mr. Swanson for honoring and respecting Walter, you are one terrific person.
What a great video. A very tender, respectful, and honest look into a different way of living. Would love to see more. RIP Walter.
Oh man… this was very moving. What an interesting man. Would’ve loved to hear more of his story. Well made. Rip.
Very thoughtful and compassionate you waited to release this. Also, you certainly seemed to approach your interview with respect. Was glad there was the pinned comment below as that was the first thought that came to mind. RIP to him
Such an industrious individual. Seems to have had no animocity & lived his life in an original manner. Love his books ❤️ rip 🌺
Not everyone is "homeless" as a result of misfortune or tragedy. I know this as a former "homeless" person myself. My own experience was due to poor choices on my part. However, I met one man who inspired me to get up out of my circumstances. He never called himself "homeless" because he wasn't. His philosophy was simple, he stated "Never own more than you can carry in a backpack, because life will take it from you anyway." He wasn't dirty, addicted or mentally ill. He just loved his freedom. He worked at whatever was available, usually through temporary services. When there wasn't any work, he would go to the public library and read, or study whatever sparked his interest at the moment. He was always clean, always had money, and never complained about trifling shit, as he put it. He usually stayed in missions or shelters, but occasionally would splurge on a motel room for a night. He was quite a guy. He's probably gone now, he was in his fifties when I knew him, and this was thirty years ago. Guess he has a "home" now, God bless him.
Great story man.. as a former homeless person myself, the person you just described is someone that almost home every homeless person comes in contact with. It seems like there's always a person like that a homeless person like that on the streets..
That’s a stupid motto: “don’t keep all your govt and occupational and medical paperwork and your family pictures and mementoes”? That’s crazy. I hold to my achievements especially as I worked hard for them; Some kind of Big Brother George Orwell fixation culture your friend had..sucks!
@@privateconfidential4775: Maybe, but that's your point of view. Not his.
You can survive 10 years in north africa from one year income in NYC even more if you buy a land for farming !
@@madkiss8017 even if your old like 51 and in poor shape: you have to be quite Robust and healthy to jump around like that (ie 21 is different than 51): ps: this guy looked like he was 51 in this video
What an incredible man, he was content, and seem to never let the situation get to him.
What a interesting gentleman. Would of loved to just talk to him. Folks like Walter, make the world more interesting. RIP sir.❤️
Hello
How are you doing today Carolyn Damico?
Would *have*
You are so beautiful and Charming ❤️
@@charlesa.7501 shut up
He passed??? Man very smart man
Thank you for sharing your encounter with Walter. He was an intelligent, resourceful man who built a castle of his own. I wonder what kind of conversations he had in his head those times he stayed there alone. RIP Walter. Wherever you are, I hope you're having a blast.
Enjoyed the video. I've always been intrigued by mole people. Seeing glimpses into how other people live can be eye opening. I think you were respectful to him but that way of life must be isolating.
Thanks, I appreciate your comments. There were a few other people living in different parts of the tunnel when I was down there, so I’m sure it is isolating, but I think he also had a small community