New Year's in Saint Augustine

(Colonial Oak Music Park, New Year's Eve by Nick Norris. Digital.)

Growing up in Saint Augustine was like being in Neverland. A few of us Lost Boys, transient in living situations, would wander downtown through the Spanish, cobbled roads and tight corridors just as a recreation. We even had out own Peter Pan that helped a few of us obtain and move onto sailboats. It was the only place you could walk in public and see armored Spanish guards, pirates, and musicians of all types of instruments. Eventually time passed on, we grew up, and most of our tribe of Lost Boys left Neverland.

For the New Year, I decided to go back home and do some street photography.

(Treasury Street Corner by Nick Norris. Digital)

(He Sat Like That All Day by Nick Norris. Digital)

Contrary to modern marketing campaigns, Saint Augustine was never a pirate town. The town was attacked twice by pirates. The first time was by Sir Francis Drake in 1586, and British pirates attacked the second time in 1668. The owner of the Pirate Museum off of San Marco saw Saint Augustine's business potential and opened the establishment in 2005.

There was the occasional person dressed in pirate garb before that, but more common before this new age of pirates were street musicians. They lined Saint George Street, playing for tips. Each one had a unique instrument or playstyle. The city swelled with music, but an ordinance was passed to ban all performers. The constant outcry eventually led to some leniency, where you had to get a permit to play. Even then, you could only play in one of the alleys that were an offshoot from the main strip. With so few willing to put up with the strenuous effort to obtain a license, the music died.

Today, you can find some musicians in the alley still. There's no license needed, but the local law does prevent any playing on the Saint George Street.

(People Passing the Bucket Drummer by Nick Norris. Digital)

(A Family That Stays Together Still Can't Play Together on Saint George Street by Nick Norris. Digital)

I travel a lot, but I always found myself journeying back. Phil Cousineau told me that a person will travel just to come back home. It's not the same place, but I haven't been able to find another town quite like it.

(Child Photobombs by Nick Norris. Digital)

(No One is Watching That Kid by Nick Norris. Digital)

(Tours by the Cathedral Place Doors by Nick Norris. Digital)

(Warm Lamp Light by Nick Norris. Digital)

(A Prohibition Kitchen Can Only Fit So Many by Nick Norris. Digital)

A subject no one touches upon is the homeless in Saint Augustine. There's quite a problem with it. Transients come down for the winter since it's usually fair weather. I'm not sure what programs are locally there, but I've seen the same homeless individuals in the same locations since I was homeless there in my teens. It's rough to watch tourists pass by and try to stay blissfully ignorant. It's not their job to fix the town's problems, but I do wonder what Saint Augustine is doing to fix the problem. It must be rough, because I've known individuals (usually youths) who pretend to be homeless and panhandle. It causes a disassociation with the problem. A person can't correctly assume who needs help.

Today is not the day to delve deeper into the topic though. I would like to share some photos though.

(Don't Look by Nick Norris. Digital)

(Day to Day Life by Nick Norris. Digital)

Apparently the individuals here were caught panhandling, and the police were brought in. I stepped up and asked a local what was happening. His sentiments were easily made known with how much disgust he had for three of them and their dogs.

(Law of the Town by Nick Norris. Digital)

(Disperse by Nick Norris. Digital)