Have a free hug. Go On....

So for this week's podcast, the topic is money. As you know, I went to the Jazz In the Domain and asked people for money just to see if they actually would... and they did. lol. One guy actually gave me $10 just for asking "so nicely" which was random and wierd... but ok that works. Then Sar and I decided to go for a walk down to Pitt Street the other day to talk to some of the street performers and discuss money. hehe. A couple of them were a little hesitant or didn't want to talk to us because they were busy. But we did get to talk to Andre who is a pavement artist and has been working there for the last two years. However, quite possibly the highlight of my day was when I got a "Free Hug" from Juan.



You might have heard of Juan Mann, (yes his name is pronounced "One Man").He's even been on Oprah! Every thursday, he goes to Pitt Street with a sign in one hand and gives out "Free Hugs" to anyone who wants one. He has become an internet phenomenon due to a video created by his friend and lead singer of Sick Puppies, Shimon Moore, that was posted on Youtube. Juan has sparked off an international phenomenon of people giving out free hugs to complete strangers with the only intension of passing on the love to others and making them smile.

Above: Juan posing for me, he couldn't keep a straight face. It made my day. hehe.

So I decided to go over and get a hug and honestly, he gives THE BEST HUGS! much to the disappointment of my boyfriend who said,

"What my hugs aren't good enough... you have to go else where?! (laughs)"

When asked why he started hugging people, Juan simply replies,

"It's a way to make people smile. I've been doing it for two and a half years now and it hasn't gotten boring. I enjoy it so much. I got up one day and pretty much went hey I'm going to give out free hugs today!"

However, things have not always run smoothly for the serial hugger. Last year, Sydney officials tried to ban the hugging and ordered that the "Free Hug Campaign" be banned. Yet, this did not deter the young 22 year old.

Undeterred, Mann collected more than 10,000 signatures on a petition he presented to the City of Sydney council. Demands for a halt to the hugs petered out shortly after, and the end of the clip shows Mann hugging an official.

Taken from SMH.com

So even though not everything in life maybe bright and shiny, just think of Juan and his campaign to spread the love. And if you have time, pop down to Pitt St and get a hug!