Hi Chris in Darwin,

Thanks, you've picked up exactly what I intended saying when I got side-tracked with my mercy mission for Bazza. The "soul of the hobo" lives on with the buskers and other "travellers" of the modern day. Sure, it's a lot easier now than in the "Jungle Camp" days, with Youth Hostels, "stand-by" rates on planes and other travel etc.

The example I was going to bring up are the German "tradesman carpenters", who must(?) travel the world for a year, at the end of their apprenticeship. Uniform, black jacket, with pearl buttons, knee-length breeks, and a Tyrolean-type hat. I think they're also limited to what "posessions" they can carry in their "swag". The objective is to get a broad range of "work expereince" before they can join their Guild.

Even here on Stewart Is, I've met five in the last 15 years - neat people to talk to, especially about their trade.

Yep, Lil' Neo, the soul of the Hobo lingers on, betcha gotta a bit in your heart, lass...;)

LOL - Sam