About 25 years ago, I went on a business trip to the harbor area in Baltimore. I stayed at a large hotel in that area, and going to the conference center was a breeze, using the “Skywalk” that let you walk all the way without having to cross any streets and wait for walk lights.
I really liked the Skywalk that went from our hotel to the Conference Center. In the morning, it was bustling with people, the shops were open, and it was a grand time, no crosswalks to deal with. I thought it was great. I usually left a bit early, as was the practice of many, so walking to and from was safe and very nice.
But one day, I stayed until the very end, and when I went back to the hotel using the Skywalk, it was nearly deserted. There were no people around. All the bustling stores and shops that I had passed during prior walks were dark, and had iron bars across their windows and doors.
I hadn’t noticed at first, but when I realized it, I felt extremely unsafe.
There was NOBODY around. I got the distinct feeling that everyone was privy to some rule that I, a stupid, out-of-state tourist, was totally unaware of.
I opened a door to walk out on a section of bridge that made the crossing high above the street, and there were three teenagers loitering right in the middle of the walk to the other side. When I opened the door, they all stopped in mid-action and looked over at me. They were positioned in such a way as to block the walkway, which put me in the position of squeezing between them if they didn’t move, or asking them to move.
I looked at them, all alone with me on this Skywalk, and looked down at the street crowded with pedestrians, and had the vision of me plummeting to the earth sans wallet and valuables.
I turned around, went back inside and down the stairs to get out on the street with all the people who knew from experience not to use the walkway after 5 PM. I didn’t know that, but the first time I went out there, it was pretty clear to me now.
Never been back down there since then, but I suspect walking out there on that Skywalk or even down on the street as I had would be a sign of insanity today.
Sad. A city just as lost as Chicago.
Talking about Baltimore, we lived there in the late 80s. There were places even then that the police wouldn’t go without an armored vehicle.
There was a pretty famous restaurant, called Haussner’s, it had been there since the 20s. On Eastern Ave I think. By the time we left there in the early 90s, I wouldn’t go there if we couldn’t be gone before dark. It closed a few years later. Sad.
I know exactly how you felt. My former workplace was near there. I used the Skywalk once.
Once was enough.
“When you get the message, hang up the phone.” —Alan Watts