Urban walking has moved from being commonplace to being a heroic act of caring for our planet. Thank you for sharing.
Zooming out to a view of the US as a whole I recommend an article from yesterday's NYT which shows that in 1990 the top industries in the US were still manufacturing and retail, and in 2024 the top industry was healthcare.
This lands us back on the average American sidewalk as addiction to both apps and opiods with not much room for engaged urban walking. Thank you for continuing to be a sidewalk hero.
Columbus: Looking forward to your take. Unlike the other cities on your itinerary it was never really an industrial powerhouse, so it has less of a hollowed out feeling (tho the feeling is still there). I would recommend Wario’s Beef and Pork for a great sandwich there, or Lindey’s for a glimpse into elite Columbus. Speaking of — oddly, Jeffrey Epstein had a big presence in Columbus in the 80s/90s/00s because of his client/benefactor Les Wexner. The two oversaw the development of a major subdivision in Columbus called New Albany.
K2: I think many do it because it’s legal and won’t show up on a drug test for marijuana. But it’s probably 100x worse as you note. Something legalization was meant to fix, but clearly has not.
Hard to access transit stations is an American value. Throw it in the middle of nowhere with nothing around it. Require a car, bicycle or another bus to reach. This future is wow.
I was just watching “born to be viral” on kidfluencers on Hulu - it started out ok then turned so dark and your piece sums up exactly what is portrayed in this doc.
I am deeply interested in how you fund these excursions.
Last year, I did a similar trek: taking Greyhound to a variety of cities on the East Coast. I found the experience to be fundamentally awful. I have also taken the bus cross country (a three day trip), and depending on the route, can be better than others. I have thought that if I do a wider exploration of America, it will either be via car or train if I can afford it.
I’m 63, living in Johannesburg South Africa and I used to love walking and observing nature and seeing people.
As a young girl, then teenager, then university student, then postgraduate student, all at UCT. I then got my dream job at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape.
I lurved working there.
And yes I came up here to further my ex-husband’s career.
My daughter is here, but my heart belongs to my home town and I am grateful for every single day I have breath.
We can’t walk even down the road to church anymore here as it has become dangerous even in a so -called “good” area.
For those with back injury issues, I've recently found fascia release exercises and therapy. At age 78, having done many things, foot and hand web exercises did what foot reflexology massage could not do, turn lumpen feet back to toes that work again. There are other places on the body that benefit as well from this new technique.
Human Garage TV @HumanGarage on YouTube is comprehensive. The method which was developed for athletic injuries in Venice, California. During Covid the groip decided to put the method online, since hands-on therapy couldn't be practiced. The fascia is said to be like a wet suit we wear or the bag that holds in our bones and muscles. Releasing tension in the fascia lets the muscles and bones realign from repetitive stress in sports, work or smartphone use. The loss of height in older adults is caused by this, so releasing the fascia enables a return of height as part of better posture.
It only costs some time to try these techniques. Life is hard work. Any worker can benefit from fascia release.
Please check out the facts at Arlington Cemetery, American Monuments, Veterans Associations, etc: Hundreds of thousands of Americans of all races and backgrounds, were drafted/enlisted, and fought & died against the german forces. The above organizations can give you the breakdown of the those who served and died, which includes ALL Americans. Check it out yourself.
I've been reading your work for a few years. If you're looking for a Mass in Chicago on July 20, I would love to welcome you to Madonna della Strada on the campus of Loyola University.
Urban walking has moved from being commonplace to being a heroic act of caring for our planet. Thank you for sharing.
Zooming out to a view of the US as a whole I recommend an article from yesterday's NYT which shows that in 1990 the top industries in the US were still manufacturing and retail, and in 2024 the top industry was healthcare.
This lands us back on the average American sidewalk as addiction to both apps and opiods with not much room for engaged urban walking. Thank you for continuing to be a sidewalk hero.
Columbus: Looking forward to your take. Unlike the other cities on your itinerary it was never really an industrial powerhouse, so it has less of a hollowed out feeling (tho the feeling is still there). I would recommend Wario’s Beef and Pork for a great sandwich there, or Lindey’s for a glimpse into elite Columbus. Speaking of — oddly, Jeffrey Epstein had a big presence in Columbus in the 80s/90s/00s because of his client/benefactor Les Wexner. The two oversaw the development of a major subdivision in Columbus called New Albany.
K2: I think many do it because it’s legal and won’t show up on a drug test for marijuana. But it’s probably 100x worse as you note. Something legalization was meant to fix, but clearly has not.
Hard to access transit stations is an American value. Throw it in the middle of nowhere with nothing around it. Require a car, bicycle or another bus to reach. This future is wow.
I was just watching “born to be viral” on kidfluencers on Hulu - it started out ok then turned so dark and your piece sums up exactly what is portrayed in this doc.
I am deeply interested in how you fund these excursions.
Last year, I did a similar trek: taking Greyhound to a variety of cities on the East Coast. I found the experience to be fundamentally awful. I have also taken the bus cross country (a three day trip), and depending on the route, can be better than others. I have thought that if I do a wider exploration of America, it will either be via car or train if I can afford it.
Lovely and deeply human as ever, thanks.
Will try and track for the Chicago timeline, in case I can make it and thank you in person.
If you are back in Harrisburg, Midtown Scholars Bookshop is about a 20 min walk from the Greyhound bus stop.
Enjoy Pittsburgh! Just in time for Picklefest 😂
I so love your writing, sir.
I’m 63, living in Johannesburg South Africa and I used to love walking and observing nature and seeing people.
As a young girl, then teenager, then university student, then postgraduate student, all at UCT. I then got my dream job at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape.
I lurved working there.
And yes I came up here to further my ex-husband’s career.
My daughter is here, but my heart belongs to my home town and I am grateful for every single day I have breath.
We can’t walk even down the road to church anymore here as it has become dangerous even in a so -called “good” area.
Happy travels.
I will be following you with interest.
Kindest regards
Carol Power
Johannesburg
South Africa
Sadly
For those with back injury issues, I've recently found fascia release exercises and therapy. At age 78, having done many things, foot and hand web exercises did what foot reflexology massage could not do, turn lumpen feet back to toes that work again. There are other places on the body that benefit as well from this new technique.
This Block Therapy video found May 21 this year: Realign Your Body: Fascia Release For Feet and Hands https://youtu.be/9Y0yejRjP88?si=M8HQpXJ1VlC8QApr have amazing results.
This for chronic back pain helped greatly.
https://youtu.be/azI6_AAP9bQ?si=Q1gOvOZo5QY3UYg4
Human Garage TV @HumanGarage on YouTube is comprehensive. The method which was developed for athletic injuries in Venice, California. During Covid the groip decided to put the method online, since hands-on therapy couldn't be practiced. The fascia is said to be like a wet suit we wear or the bag that holds in our bones and muscles. Releasing tension in the fascia lets the muscles and bones realign from repetitive stress in sports, work or smartphone use. The loss of height in older adults is caused by this, so releasing the fascia enables a return of height as part of better posture.
It only costs some time to try these techniques. Life is hard work. Any worker can benefit from fascia release.
Wonderful piece! I am in Chicago area, reach out on the 20th. Or, I could meet at Fr. Rossmann’s Mass
Please check out the facts at Arlington Cemetery, American Monuments, Veterans Associations, etc: Hundreds of thousands of Americans of all races and backgrounds, were drafted/enlisted, and fought & died against the german forces. The above organizations can give you the breakdown of the those who served and died, which includes ALL Americans. Check it out yourself.
Well, at least we still lead the world. Or at least our bankers do.
I've been reading your work for a few years. If you're looking for a Mass in Chicago on July 20, I would love to welcome you to Madonna della Strada on the campus of Loyola University.
I think I sent you a message. Love to touch base when you're in South Bend. If you didn't get it, let me know how to reach you.
In Columbus, it looks like you’ll be close to North Market and German Village. Both are pretty good.
Rossi’s seems like maybe the too obvious meeting point in Chicago? Maybe Bernice’s Tavern?