Sitting with my Chai Tea finely fixed with almond milk and doused in sugar reflecting on my journey. Stepping out into oncoming traffic the "Baltimore" way. Venturing off until the cracked pavement transforms into uneven bricks. The grass forces its way through the uneven ground beneath my feet.....*Clank* *Clank* I turn to the alleyway filled with construction workers *Clank* *Clank*. It starts to quiet.....the cracked brick transforms into beautiful murals. Trying to keep up with the group, admiring the paint splattered walls. I turn to see everyone has disappeared . Only leaving me with a blue door covered in flyers......
*Creeeek*, walking into a sea full of awkwardly odored rubber.... cycling the cycles..... "Mi Casa, Su Casa!" The store owner and his shedding orange-white bottomed cat, Falkor come out to greet us. "Meow", strutting to the cracked door. "Meow", I will get this door open. "Meow", I'm not going out there, so let me jump on the counter and stretch out. Falkor poses for his last Instagram photo and I return to my journey. Everyone has now dispersed except my fellow colleague, Meredith. We walk outside and follow the sounds....
A constant flowing *Swwwwsshhhhh*. We look above us to see the N. Howard Street bridge..... *Swwwwshhhh* I run....jumping over the sturdy driftwood. "Meredith! look!" finding an opening with a creek and noticing the other half of the underpass. I squint to see the flattened cardboard boxes next to dozens of dirty worn clothing. It's now noon we venture back, *rumble* *rumble* *ding* *ding* *ding*... the Amtrak passes by as we walk past the construction workers now enjoying their lunches. We pass more and more cracked alleyways and stumble upon what appears to be an old, weathered, trash-bagged window movie theater....
Charles Theater it reads. We pull the doors only to find out it is locked. So we walk away....."ya'll wanna go inside?", says an old man. Meredith and I turn to each other, "sure!" He opens the door to a motionless popcorn concession counter and stacked chairs. We walk through the dark long hallways covered in various artistic pieces. Noticing the time, we turn back passing a dark hall to find a giant stuffed demon-caterpillar at the end. *Flick* ....we had to pose for an Instagram photo...
We scurry back to Red Emma's only to run into "James but you can call me J.R because im a junior". Holding his vodka bottle, he eagerly tells us about the newly painted murals around North Ave and offers a tour (and asks for a picture). We end the tour short and continue to Red Emma's. Finally hitting the air conditioning...."can I get a Chai Tea?"