Doppelganger!

Doppelganger" is German for "double walker" - a shadow self that is thought to accompany every person. Traditionally, it is said that only the owner of the doppelganger can see this phantom self, and that it can be a harbinger of death. Occasionally, however, a doppelganger can be seen by a person's friends or family, resulting in quite a bit of confusion.


I have lived in Uptown New Orleans for a long time, and I do not know if I believe in “doppelgangers” as much as I know I have had some close encounters with mine.

When I was 20 I went into a bar where I worked and all the bartenders, kitchen staff and clients looked like they had seen a ghost.

I asked what was up and all they could do was point and say: GO LOOK IN THE BACK ROOM NOW.

I was so “queered out” for a lack of better term, because there was a woman playing pool with a guy and she looked just like me. It was not just a resemblance, but all the mannerisms were there too. I left- feeling really odd.


Later on about 7 years, I would stop off at work at the Shell Station on Carrollton Ave and the people in there would question why I was back again so soon? Apparently my double and I were living in the same neighborhood. The people at the gas station said that not only did she look just like me, drinking the same coffee and getting the same Twinkie, but she was driving a red Acura too.

Then = worse, people started saying: I saw you out at Tipp’s last night, you were really fucked up and dancing up a storm. I can swear up and down as I had a steady boyfriend at the time, I was at home in bed; however the frequency of the sightings started to freak him out, where he became jealous and overly possessive. The relationship broke up.

I know I have had a history of sleep walking, but this was way above me being out and about- my “evil” double was on the roll.

Let me give the time frame another 3 years:

I went to A/P grocery store and a number of the clerks would say,” thanks Doc, we love you. “This always made me feel weird, but not weird enough to correct them, so I always just smiled and said “you are welcome!”

I did not hear anything about her again until:

Let’s give it even 5 years later, and I am in Star’Bs and the people; are saying what’s up with you, you were just in here. I was NOT just in there. Finally the manager made the employees stop commenting on it every time I came in because she knew it was bothering me. Who wants to see their Doppelganger or be reminded that they look just like someone else – even if she may be a long lost sister? Not me.

I went to my dermatologist for the first time and before he even looked at the chart to know who I was, he gave me a huge HUG and kisses on each cheek and said: “Doctor Ferran, I am a great admirer of you works at Tulane Med”

Well, I am not Dr. Ferran, and I wish that I had contributed to the betterment of biological research on contagious diseases, but I am simply Raspootin.

Dr. Claiborne was abashed, but after careful study he said the resemblance was great, but not identical. He suggested that we all got together for cocktails or coffee. NOT - I do not even have to run that by my psychiatrist - NEVER is a more apt term.

I then made the connection to the grocery store and was relieved that at least I was shadowing a great doctor, and I hope that when she gets feedback that she is equally satisfied with me.

I have cut my hair, dyed it and done a million things to try and differentiate from this woman, but apparently every time I do it, so does she.

I live in fear that I will come face to face with her by accident one day. I don’t think that would be good.

Please read the entire article about Doppelgangers thru the centuries – I found it interesting, and would like to know if anyone has ever had my experience with a “twin” in the same small city.

http://paranormal.about.com/library/weekly/aa111102a.htmrmal.about.com/library/weekly/aa111102a.htm