Tae Kwon Do has really been good for our family. Ever since we signed up we have not only been baptized in the river of structure and discipline, but we have had to take a drive no less than 3 times a week into an area that we most likely never would of gone. To say the least, it’s not the nicest part of the city and it has been very eye opening.

Growing up in a middle class area, I was relatively unaware that the things one sees in movies depicting poverty and crime laden areas actually exist. Since my move to Florida, I have come in contact with these parts a little here or there, mostly by taking a wrong turn and then hurrying to find a way out. Even when I worked at the shelter in such an area, I had little observation of the things I have been seeing of late.

I love our Tae Kwon Do studio, but it is not really in that great of a neighborhood. In the last 2 months, my kids and I have witnessed some frightening and somewhat funny situations.

The dancing guy.

My kids look for him everyday we drive to TKD. They think he is hilarious and I think he has to be out of his mind, either a mental situation or drugs. He is a worn out 40ish man, very tanned skin sporting long hair and a rolled bandanna tied around his head. He wears a white “wife beater” with shorts and carries a cane. I have never seen him actually use the cane, except as a prop in his dancing. This guy literally dances, twirls, turns, and ballet jumps down the sidewalk - everyday in about the same area- rain or shine. Oh, did you catch that the guy does not have any headphones on? Yeah. No music, just what’s inside his head. Who knows, maybe this guy is just really high on life?

The guy that really, REALLY, loves street signs.

This one is not as visually harmless as the dancing guy. My kids still laugh at him, but I try to get away from the view as quickly as possible before things get too graphic.

This guy literally makes out with the stop sign at the end of the street that our TKD studio is located. After he is done with the stop sign; he moves onto the railroad crossing sign. He seems to be completely unaware that anyone else is even near him, when many times, there are large groups of kids standing right next to him. I have only witnessed this 3 or so times in the last 2 months, but really? I wouldn’t be sad if I never had to watch that go on again…

Kids and Momma Kids in slippers.

I am shocked on almost a daily basis the amount of young children I see half dressed roaming around these parts by themselves. Kids under 8 crossing a 4 lane, heavily traffic-ed highway, with 2 sets of train tracks that are frequented several times daily by speeding trains. Not to even mention the interesting characters that are hanging around.

Then there are the very young moms. They are carrying and or dragging several younger children while barely dressed and in pink fuzzy bunny slippers. Why? It must be a fashion I missed (we all know boogiemum is behind on the fashions), but I still don’t get it.

My kids think it is funny, so at least it keeps them from fighting for a few minutes. Not that I really should condone the laughing. But I am thankful, I can always use a few minutes of laughter to fill my mini-van as opposed to the typical, “he’s touching me” and “I’m hungry!”

Of course, don’t get me wrong, there are the typical everyday people around the TKD studio too. People going about their daily lives as I do mine. The experience has just really helped me become more aware of the world in my own backyard. I don’t see, thankfully, too many people making out with signs in my neighborhood.

The sites have helped open up for some interesting discussions about drugs, mental health, and security with my kids. It has shown all of us a place that is somewhat foreign in our own city. And I think this is important. It helps remind us to be appreciative for what we have, learn about differences and remember that there are people not just overseas who need our help, but right in our own backyard.

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