A YouTuber has found the viral “mole person” a decade after his first video as he’s kicked out of his underground home.
Ten years after first meeting Carlos, a man who lived deep inside New York’s “Freedom Tunnel”, YouTuber Erik K Swanson has been reunited with him.
When they first met, Carlos explained to Swanson that he was a 48 year old refugee, having left Cuba 27 years prior.
He’d been living in the Freedom Tunnel sewer for two years when they met and his pad was kitted out with heating, electricity, computers, refrigerators, a printer and even a microwave—all of which he said he’d found in the garbage.
In the YouTube video, Swanson said: “When I first met Carlos he had made his home under a manhole. He had a nice setup. It was like a small studio apartment but underground. Two refrigerators, microwave.
Advert
“Now that we had reconnected, I wanted to hear about Carlos' life since we first met.”
Carlos updated Swanson on his life, saying: “In that tunnel, I was happy, man.
“I'm still happy, because the Lord Jesus is with me, he gives me strength. But over there, I enjoyed it.”
Advert
According to Swanson, the tunnel and surrounding area is very different today to how it was in 2008 after Amtrak cleared people out.
He added: “Construction vehicles, maintenance trains and park equipment are all stored near Carlos' old home.
“Basketball courts, cyclists and a cafe full of tourists are all within eyesight.
“The increase in activity would make it very difficult for anyone in the tunnel to go unnoticed.”
Advert
Despite no longer living in his underground home, Carlos has still managed to create a comfortable environment for himself, building a trolley out of what he believes was an old bed frame.
Carlos said: “I got everything there. I got my blanket, my chair. I have my cooler that I found. I put ice, put my food there. I enjoy it. No complaints.”
Viewers were delighted to see Carlos again, with many of them taking to the YouTube comment section.
Advert
One user wrote: “The guy has been homeless for most of his life and yet he's still happier than most people nowadays. That's amazing.”
A second said: “CARLOSSSS!!! 10 yrs? Damn bless him, glad he is still alive. Someone or anyone bless this man with a tiny home.”
And a third added: “So glad you found him! Carlos is such an inspiration to all of us who are so attached to our worldly things….. he shows us that we can be happy and content without all the ‘stuff’ that actually smothers happiness! God bless you Carlos!”