A Painful Walk
1:20 — Today’s walk is a little unideal, but I won’t let that affect my mood. I just got released from discrete mathematics at 14 E. Jackson and have just under 2 hours until my computer science class at the CDM Center. It’s only unideal because I don’t feel like I’m going on this walk to have a calming experience, rather I feel like this is another assignment on my list. I’m sure things would feel differently if I was less busy this week, but I’m excited to walk along the lake and get some fresh air. I decided to start walking east towards the lake to catch a breeze while I walked. I’m also pressed for time and figure that there are more vibrant colors near the water.
1:33 — I found my first color match. I’ve just reached the river trail and luckily there’s some shade here and that nice breeze I was hunting. I look for vibrant pinks and desaturated tans but don’t find any good matches in the maze of streets and buildings. I’ve already traveled south along this part of the lake, so I decided to go north towards Navy Pier where I expect a lot of colors. Just as I had expected, within little time I spot some vibrant graffiti on a power box just off the Lakefront Trail. Looking around, I’m near a building labeled to be the Chicago Yacht Club. I note that I feel pretty awkward taking this picture despite nobody even being around to judge me.
1:44 — After following the waterfront north for a little while and eating an Apple, I find myself next to a harbor. I want to note, that I’m glad there are garbage cans every few hundred feet, it certainly seems like it helps littering. There’s a massive boat here with a sign next to it advertising their boat tours. This advertisement was the right color to be my second pink match. I noted that although the advertisement was originally colored red, it’s faded so much over time that it’s become very similar to my pink card. I wonder how long this company has been offering fireboat tours, how old this massive boat is, and how long this advertisement has been withstanding lakefront conditions.
1:49 — After some more walking, I find something that I have no clue what it is. There is a massive concrete structure that matches my tan color a ways from the water. I have no idea what this thing is or what its intention is. Is it some kind of statue that’s supposed to look nice? Why is this here? It couldn’t have been cheap…
1:51 — I sort of unrealistically expected to be able to walk to Navy Pier, back to my dorm, and then to class in less than two hours. This is where I confirmed that I didn’t have the time to walk to Navy Pier. Additionally, I was wearing brand-new Vans which dug into the backs of my ankles and had them bleeding by this point. Note to self: Don’t walk long distances with shoes that aren’t yet broken in. I feel like I’ve made this mistake a lot, not because I wear a lot of shoes, but instead because I rarely ever retire shoes and move on to wearing a new pair. Ultimately I’m a little disappointed that I cannot walk further, but given my schedule this week and my bleeding heals, I decide to turn back.
1:54 — On my way back, I noticed some flowers near a public restroom. There also seemed to be a small restaurant here because of some outdoor seating, though, I couldn’t find the sign giving the name. The area was very cozy feeling and nicely decorated, though as I approached, the smell of the dirty bathroom made it more apparent why almost no one was around. There is however an older couple sitting nearby. I assume they’re enjoying the nice decor, but I wonder how they can stand the smell.
1:59 — It’s been difficult to find tan colors that aren’t just the sidewalk, but these seed pods seem to be a great match. I’m near the fireboat again but further from the water so I’m in the shade of the occasional tree where I decide to take a small break to eat some food and rest my feet. As I eat, I notice that the vast majority of people near this harbor are just getting exercise. A rare rich couple is using the harbor to get to their boat, and a couple of tourists taking pictures of geese, but 95% of people look to be exercising. I feel more comfortable around these people than around the stiff businessmen in the loop, likely because most people exercising here are flaneurs.
2:17 — After my short break, I’m back on my feet trying to get to my computer science class on time. I spot this mile marker near a floating building for the Chicago Yacht Club and decide that this is the closest match I can find that’s not everywhere such as the sidewalk. I wonder what this evolution sticker is advertising and who thought this would be a productive place to get eyes on it.
2:37 — I made it back to my dorm just in time to grab my stuff and head to the CDM Center for Computer Science. My feet are killing me and my white shoes have some blood on them, but it wasn’t a bad time. I’m convinced it’s a blessing, but I deeply enjoy just walking and seeing things, new and old. Even though my feet hurt and my shoes were a little messed up, none of it was a waste because, at almost every moment of my journey, I was relaxing and exercising which are activities I value and deem productive. Does that make me, not a flaneur though? If I go on a walk with no destination but still have intentions such as completing an assignment or exercising, am I still a flaneur?
Reading Journal: Why is it important for people — including walkers — to think of themselves as citizens? What is the relationship between walking, citizenship, and public space? What does it mean to be a citizen? How is walking tied to your understanding of yourself as a resident and citizen of Chicago? Draw on the readings to support your response.
It’s important for people, particularly walkers, to think of themselves as citizens because they are using the city just like everyone else. You don’t necessarily have to be a citizen of the city to be using its sidewalks, but when you do step out into public space, you are at the liberty of the sidewalk. You might avoid places that are not well maintained or stick to only routes that you are familiar with. I think that as a citizen you have a small say over the city’s projects and if public walking and sidewalks are what you’re passionate about, then you should fight for what you want. However, at the same time, it’s important for walkers to think of themselves as citizens so that they can feel connected to the city as they walk. Hollis states that “it is so easy to forget that cities are brilliant at bringing people together, forcing them to interact and to benefit from one another” and I fully agree. I feel like there are so many things that I would have never seen or experienced had I not been forced to by the city (191 words).
