Date: 2009-07-14
From: HarperÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Ferry

To: Baltimore
Miles today: 0.0

Intermission ¢ Part Two (a)Libby and BaltimoreI can¢t imagine a better break from the rigours of Trail life that the time I just spent in Baltimore. I felt completely at home and I don¢t think that you can have hope for any more than that. Thanks to Libby, Ben and their four legged companions Baxter and Peanut for putting me at my ease. Not to mention the City of Baltimore itself. The City Aldermen (or whatever they are) may be stretching it somewhat when they proudly proclaim that Baltimore is the ¢greatest city in America¢ but I, for one, left with many fond memories and more than a bit of a soft spot for the old place.I thought I had a fair idea that junior doctors worked their socks off but it was also an eye opener to truly realise the demands placed on the likes of Libby and Ben. Long hours, pressure, 30 hour shifts, on the job training; then when you get home more study, time fro a quick wash and brush up before it¢s time to sleep, well maybe nor enough time for sleep. Intense, unrelenting, demanding, competitive ¢ it must be rewarding and fulfilling. It might be fun to rise to that sort of challenge, now and again, but it seems relentless. I doff my cap. Of course all that and house guests!! Thanks folks, good times eating; drinking; chatting; even walking the dogs; and of course fro the toiletries which ensured that for the first time in many weeks (even months) I left in my wake not the unpleasant whiff of hiker but the faint aroma of orange, grapefruit and carrots. I was free to wander around, to get my bearings and to soak up the city. I strolled the Avenue in Hampden, wandered downtown, enjoyed looking across the inner harbour and drinking beer at 9am in Dimitris (well I¢m not sure I enjoyed it but it felt as if it had to be done). I saw the ballpark and the football park. I discovered Baltimore¢s link to Edgar Allan Poe and hence the ¢ravens¢ of the Baltimore Ravens. I just missed the Visionary Arts Museum but did manage the National Aquarium, after skipping the National Bowling Arena in Reno I felt I really should make the effort, and it was good ¢ especially the sharks and the rays but like many of these places I get greedy. I want them all to myself ¢ a private showing at 10pm not being lumped in with the masses. It wasn¢t too busy but a little too busy for me at the time. Last, but not least, I dragged Libby along to the ¢Sidebar¢ to see some live music. Four bands for seven bucks at a venue that describes itself as ¢the punk bar downtown that refuses to go uptown¢ (or something like that). My expectations were not high but it seemed like an adventure as we settled down to a line up of: Object (White Stripes sort of thing 4/10); North of Canada (bit bland indie sort of stuff 2/10); Puddle (fantastic super duper botty shakin¢ grove fest ¢ or at least that¢s how I¢d describe them 8/10); and Nigeria (more indie pop ¢ reasonably well done by a bunch of young kids 4/10).It was a really good night. I¢d recommend the Sidebar to anyone on this showing. Not Top of the Pops but a darned good night (a Tuesday night at that) of live music in an interesting setting with cheap beer (Natty Boh $2/can ¢ I was impressed). I left with a smile on my face and a Puddle CD in my pocket.I had thought I might stay for two nights, I finally packed my bags and left after four. Thanks again!