Walk on the Right (back in DC)

Exiting the Metro after a long journey home, I found myself reflexively walking on the left side of the sidewalk as I had consciously tried to do while in Dublin. Although I've come to the conclusion that I've overemphasized this. While on crowded city streets, people flow like water - seeking the path of least resistance. Regardless of which side of the road you drive on in your country, you're going to move into the space on the sidewalks which will be least likely to lead to collisions. It's basically a free-for-all; controlled chaos. Also, in Ireland (as my traveling companion, Ms. Sidewalker, a former resident of the country informed me), car driving is not necessarily a rite of passage as it is here. People are not socialized into driving and thinking in a "left-side-of-the-road" way from a young age. Therefore sidewalk-sidedness is perhaps not at the forefront of many pedestrians' thoughts.

The most interesting pedestrian phenomena I witnessed in Dublin were crosswalk behaviors. First, without fail at every crosswalk there would be some people that would cross against the signal when it was clear while others would stand statue-like waiting for the "walk" signal even when no traffic was present. I know that here in DC, if there aren't any cars coming, someone will make the move to cross and usually most others will follow. Conversely, I've heard that in Germany pedestrians are so loyal to crossing signals that they will wait for the light to turn even if it's 2 in the morning and there are no vehicles anywhere around. And the police will ticket for jaywalking if you do cross against the signal. Mein Gott!

The other thing I found curious were the lack of stop signs at side streets and the accompanying custom of drivers to not yield to pedestrians. For instance, there are many small side streets and alleys emptying onto Dublin's main thoroughfares. Cars entering the main roads must cross crowded sidewalks as they exit the side streets. There are no stop signs and it seems that pedestrians are expected to look out for the cars as they shoot into the main road. I almost got clipped a couple times whilst assuming drivers would yield to me. Props to Ms. Sidewalker for pulling me out of harm's way. This quirk of Dublin traffic is opposite the rules of every other city I've known. Well, perhaps excepting Beijing.

Stay tuned for pics of Dublin sidewalks....

Walk on the Left (greetings from Dublin)

I attempt to be respectful of local walking ettiquette, therefore in such countries as Ireland (where they drive on the "wrong" side of the road) I figure that pedestrians would follow that pattern and kind of stick to the left side of the sidewalk. I think this is a generally followed pattern. Walk up the left side of the stairs, yield to the left on the sidewalk, the escalators go up to the left and down to the right, etc. Of course there are always those that forge their own path. Maybe they're not drivers and hence have not been encultured to choose a side.

Anyway, the coolest thing (in pedestrian terms) about Dublin is the cross walk signals. As the signal waits to go green it makes an electronic ticking sound. Then as it turns, it emits a spacey zapping sound to send you on your way across the street (kind of like "zzzshooooooo!"). I'll have pictures and maybe video clips later in the week.

Well, back to the streets for me...

In the meantime...

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

DC Sidewalk Blog Live From The Republic of Ireland!

Starting this Thursday I'll be walking the sidewalks of Dublin for a week. I'll do my darnedest to get some reports in between pints of Guinness...

Sidewalk Government Secrets

Have you ever noticed the unmarked office building close to the corner of 18th & L? The front door is always locked and the lobby empty even though it has a bevy of high-tech metal detectors and baggage scanners at the entrance. But - it has a large garage that is always open and guarded with a retractable metal barrier and armed and vaguely uniformed personnel. Various unmarked SUVs and vans with government plates are seen going in and out. And the whole complex is ringed with that common DC architectural flair known as the reinforced bollard. I dare not speculate any further as to the purpose and activities that take place in this building. I fear what might occur if I walked past the gaping garage opening and, identified as "the blogger who raised too many questions," was whisked into the bowels of this structure. Perhaps it's an innocuous gov't vehicle depot. Or perhaps a hive-like network of tunnels lies below, connecting to other government facilities.

Another seemingly clandestine activity on the city streets that has caught my attention is the variety of steam vents along 17th Street by the White House. A couple years ago some work was being done below the street and the whole construction area was cloistered by a high and solid wall to shield it from civilian view. My own imaginative theory on the source of the vapor emanating from below the street is that it is part of an elaborate steam-driven catapult system. In the event of an emergency it will propel essential government personnel, encased in a metal pods, through tubes below the city to the safety of some sanctuary in the far suburbs.

Another little-known but less nefarious secret of the city are the various telecommunications switching centers disguised as office buildings. There's one at 21st and L and another around H and 11th Streets. The are marked as Verizon buildings and they're pretty ugly architecturally - they have bland facades and narrow slit-like windows. If you go by at night and catch a glimpse into an illuminated window, you'll see no desks and chairs - instead you'll notice a bank of wires and switches mounted on metal frames. These are the telecom hubs for the city. Kind of interesting, I think.

Well, I'll keep my mouth shut and my eyes open for now. There are many more sidewalk secrets to uncover.

Urban Wildlife Sighting of the Day

In the park in front of the Dept. of the Interior building on E Street: a large (red-tailed?) hawk tearing the shit out of some recently killed prey. Cool!

The Anti-Sidewalk Experience

I was up in the east end of Long Island last weekend - I did not walk on a sidewalk there. Instead, I walked on a leafy path through a forest of gold and red. On the trail blue jays and chipmunks foraged for winter food. A small herd of deer eyed me from afar. I placed seeds in my hand and chickadees alighted upon my fingers to feed. It was like being St. Francis or in a Disney movie. I can't decide which. I get those two kind of things confused. Anyway, the experience was the idyllic opposite of city streets. Ducks sat quietly among the reeds. Two old gnarled trees creaked against one another in the breeze. The only sound of Man was the drone of jet engines far above. It was so cold and so beautiful. I wanted to shamble off into the brush and never return to a hard-paved surface. I wanted to sink into the piling leaves like I did when I was child. But I've returned. And for now I regret it.

Pedestrian Shepherds -or- Moses Leading the Egyptians into the Red Sea

Today I inadvertently led an army of GW students into the parted waters of 20th Street. Have you ever been first to step off the curb when the light has not yet changed in your favor and everyone else on both sides follows your lead? It's a sort of domino effect - there's a break in the traffic, I step forward, a couple other people do the same and then a torrent of other follow absentmindedly as they chat on cellphone or listen to their iPods. This is the dangerous part. The intersection is suddenly filled with jaywalkers, many unaware that traffic is flowing toward them since they've just followed the crowd. I stepped out because I saw a gap and knew I could make it. The GW kid who wasn't paying attention crossed too late and ambled into the path of a speeding BMW (as we know, BMW drivers are most erratic). Luckily, the driver was paying enough attention to stop at the green light and allow my herd of jaywalkers to pass. But I don't want this responsibility. As I reached the other side and knew that others were in the path of possible danger because of my action, I felt guilty. I don't think I'll be the first off the block in such a situation in the future.

Hello Darkness, My Old Friend

Beware, walkers. The sidewalks are cloaked in darkness now as we return from work at the end of the day. Watch out if you prefer to wear black. Drivers and bikers may not see you. This is the dangerous season for pedestrians. Keep your wits about you out there.

This has been a public service announcement from the DC Sidewalker.

Although... last night, walking home from the pub in the dark and the rain - a little bit lit - it was a sublime experience. The colored leaves sticking to the concrete and the cars, the wet asphalt reflecting the street lamps and the autumn darkness and the rain...

Halloween Rules!

As Ryan Adams might say, I've got a Halloween head. It's the best holiday for immature adults such as myself. The sidewalks of Adams Morgan were filled with mischievous revelers and what is best about a weekday Halloween is that most of folks out and about are locals. 18th Street is lively but not chaotic. The best Halloween bar on the block is Toledo Lounge - the regulars fill the place every year (and somehow always win the costume contest). Jesus was serving up the drinks last night to folks dressed as William Wallace (post-English torture), the St. Pauli Girl (guy), an early 20th century pugilist, a lunch lady, a Ghostbuster, Thor and various other conceptual themes. It's a friggin' great time.

On what other day can you chest-bump a robot on a street corner at 1am?