The Skyways

I have worked downtown for 4 years and i am STILL fascinated with the skyways. It's interesting that even in the summer the skyways are busy. I think the only exception the skyways aren't that busy is Farmer's Market Day and Fridays.

My first year down here, i used to walk to Target with a co-worker. She insisted on walking outside. Her reasoning was that walking in the skyways was like walking in an enclosed tunnel of germs. That meant in the winter time we definitley walked outside. It wasn't horrible. The icy air woke me up and made me feel a bit more aware and appeciative of my surroundings.

Now i have a tendency to walk to Target on my own and take the skyway. It's my mental/breathing break and allows me to just walk and observe. In other posts i have mentioned my observations and it seems to me that no two are alike. Well, perhaps to a certain degree they are alike in the sense that i am endlessly fascinated by them.

Today was no other exception when it came to my observations. As i walked to Target, i noticed how empty the skyways were. Today there was a huge meeting that meant 90% of the Target population was at the Target Center. It made me realize that if Target moved out of downtown mpls., there really would be a large chunk missing. I can see why it is integral for large companies to stay downtown. The best way to illustrate that point is being downtown on the weekend during the day, particularly Sunday. I found that Sunday (on a non-game day) was the best day to come down and learn to navigate through the one way streets and avenues.

On the way back from Target, i decided to walk outside. In fact, when i was in the store, i kind of mentally whacked my head and thought, "why didn't you walk outside on the way here?". After purchasing nothing in the store and coming away with mental inspiration for my next project, i headed downstairs to the street level.

I pushed my way through the revolving doors. The thought came across my mind that it may be sweaty-hot out and i may regret walking outside. As i broke through to the outside world, a fresh bit of air wafted by with no hint of heat or humidty; nor chill for that matter. The street noise came on instantly like a raido being turned on in a quiet car. I started across the street.

People sitting on the ground and on the planters holding their signs. Oh. Shoot. I guess this is why i don't walk down the street. The guilt of not giving to these people. The guilt of giving to just one of them. The guilt of not looking them in the face. The guilt of not even turning my head to look at their sign. The guilt of wearing a badge for a company that is known for giving, but i personally am not representing that. I move along. I hear the music of someone playing an electric acoustical guitar on an amp.

I cross one street and look down it at the same time. Two men leaning through a car window. Women standing behind in short shorts. Sigh, it's like the old neighborhood and while i want to believe nothing "bad" is happening, the skeptic in me knows it's not good buisness.

I get to the block that my building is on. I see a man and a woman arguing as they sit on a cement bench. Apparently the streets aren't a place to hide your emotions. It almost feels awkward because it's like walking in on friends who are arguing.

In a sense, i'm glad i don't live in a big city because i feel like this would be happening all over. On the other hand, in a big city, it seems everyone is moving too fast and there are too many people to notice the oddities of life.