Tired does not even begin to describe it. I have blisters on top of blisters and I really could use twelve more hours sleep. Baltimore was fantastic. I really wish I could have stayed longer. The baseball game was the highlight. Youre allowed to smoke and drink in the grounds and the police dont treat people with suspicion. The sights ans smells are intense. Ive never seen anything like it. Didnt matter that I have no idea who won. I was just glad to be there. Was grinning like an idiot the whole time. The Orioles ground is built to look like old Baltimore. Fooled me but it was only completed in 1992. Didnt get back til 2am. Thought a taxi back from Penn station would be quicker but even at 2am traffic is gridlocked. I could have slept on the train because the seats are big enough to comfortably curl up on. But last time I did that I woke up in Cardiff. Not sure what Im doing today. Ive just about crippled myself so Ill have to take it steady. I think a week of NY is about enough. Next time Ill book so I can change bases and travel more. Manhattan is an all American theme park but real America lies beyond. Ive had some interesting thoughts on the nature of consumer choice here in the US. Choice is all very well but when youre utterly exhausted, just the question of what to have for dinner becomes so overwhelming you kinda just wish for a plain old bacon sandwich with no trimmings, gimmicks or garnishes. Its easy to see how Irish pubs do so well. Experiencing new things is all very well but sometimes only a pint of Guinness and bangers and mash will do. That said, whoever said America doesnt do a good real ale is fibbing. I had expected to go crazy sampling all the different foods but when you push it so hard, there just isnt time and when you do get hungry, its more of an emergency refuel. Thats when known brands like McDonalds comes in handy to save you having to think. Not sure if Ill now make it to Washington. This place eats money and now I have to be super careful. Especially after going a bit daft in the Orioles team shop. (Worth it). Did have to laugh in Bmoe though. The scene on The Wire where they use a device to pinpoint the location of a cellphone on the harbour is a signal blackspot and you cant even get a voice signal. I thought later that I had wandered down the wrong street which was a row of strip clubs with various black people hawking tickets outside. They seemed better behaved and more polite than in NY. But thats because the Lombard Street police depot is directly opposite. Im sure the licencing arrangements are not coincidental. I got talking with a few fans at the game and you do notice that the crowd is majority white in a majority black city. The locals are very proud of their city and it shows. A city for working men. Friendly too. Everyone in Bmore is welcoming and chatty. I definitely need to go back. Its so much more than a drug ravaged slum as presented on television. Depending on ticket costs I might go to Philly for a day. It looks spectacular. A lot less oppressive than NY. That will be monday though. I have to take the weekend to recover. I look like Ive been dragged through a hedge and feel like it too.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 14:43:36 +0000
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