Homeless by choice: Hongkonger tells why he gave up middle-class life to sleep rough in Victoria Park
- Simon Lee lives on leftovers from McDonald’s and hand-outs from a Sikh temple, and says he gets by just fine
- His self-imposed life on the streets has released him from the pain of relationships and burden of material things, he says
Simon Lee is perhaps the happiest homeless person in Hong Kong. The 52-year-old willingly kissed goodbye to a comfortable middle-class existence in favour of life without work, but also without a penny.
He has slept rough for seven years next to a snack shop in Victoria Park, but his lifestyle has not cut him off from society.
Each day he goes to nearby Central Library in Causeway Bay, a public facility which is free to use, where he writes a blog detailing his humble habits.
Despite not leading the exciting or glamorous life of many bloggers, his writings have drawn thousands of readers.
The university graduate is single and has cut off all ties with his family. He gets by with leftover food from a local 24-hour McDonald’s and hand-outs from a Sikh temple.
“I think I actually save resources for society. I’m low maintenance, I don’t use money, so I don’t have to make money. I don’t chase fame or material things.
“People often think of homeless people as dirty, battered and impolite. But the homeless have their own way of living too. We can have a very decent life.”