There were a lot of elements that actually seemed to fit into the "trying" category- they're trying to have a viable light-rail system, which I keep trying to be enthusiastic about because light rail should be supported in cities, and the downtown core and Hopkins campus are pretty. And lots of new buildings going up, which is a good sign.
But the downsides tend to be serious and systemic- the light-rail machines seem to not take bills larger than $5, and the north-south line has sporadic payphones, which cost us close to an extra hour getting back to the hotel (out near the airport), and it ran three times slower in the evening as in the morning, for another 45 minutes on the train.
The downtown is pretty, but much like DC, the city consists of these "islands" of safe areas, surrounded by really unsafe areas ("really unsafe" as described by residents, as in, don't walk where you don't know where you're passing through, during daylight). Such as, don't walk the mile from Hopkins to downtown...
But you're right, there is some really neat architecture. I wish we had time to look at the Symphony Hall on this trip, it looked beautiful from the outside. And I like the convention center.
I don't know, perhaps I'll feel like going back in some number of years.
VERY glad to be home, and going on vacation soon. :)
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Date: Sunday, 12 December 2004 02:27 pm (UTC)But the downsides tend to be serious and systemic- the light-rail machines seem to not take bills larger than $5, and the north-south line has sporadic payphones, which cost us close to an extra hour getting back to the hotel (out near the airport), and it ran three times slower in the evening as in the morning, for another 45 minutes on the train.
The downtown is pretty, but much like DC, the city consists of these "islands" of safe areas, surrounded by really unsafe areas ("really unsafe" as described by residents, as in, don't walk where you don't know where you're passing through, during daylight). Such as, don't walk the mile from Hopkins to downtown...
But you're right, there is some really neat architecture. I wish we had time to look at the Symphony Hall on this trip, it looked beautiful from the outside. And I like the convention center.
I don't know, perhaps I'll feel like going back in some number of years.
VERY glad to be home, and going on vacation soon. :)