Random Thread ～Owaranai Insomnia '25 ver.～

[erilaz]

The one time I was in Atlanta for more than just changing planes, I had no transportation problems whatsoever. The hotel where the conference was being held was a super-easy, straight shot from the airport on the red or gold MARTA lines, and everywhere else that I went was within walking distance. So... not really a representative sample.

[TotallyUncool]

I think that in general, cities that get quite large fairly quickly tend to go through sometimes very long phases of seriously messed-up traffic (i.e., LA, and I guess Atlanta, and I suspect Houston, too). Even with a rapid build-out of public transport and roads, it seems to take a lot of time to catch up.

[Shoujo Q]

Massachusetts is starting to have this problem. As more and more people moved out of The area with public transportation, the traffic has become worse. I see it a lot in my area. They build up condos and apartments to draw people in but do nothing about traffic. Some towns and cities have better regulations because the people who live there don’t want to see a giant apartment complex blocking their view. Our city was able to stop one from getting built but not another. The unseen issue is schools. Majority of people drive their kids to school here because roads were built without sidewalks. Kids aren’t aloud to walk down streets without them so bus use is heavy and when you have a bus stopping at one house then another it slows traffic. Then you have one bus for a giant apartment complex it slows it even more. And that’s basically a trickle effect that slows traffic too.

Most of this was brought to you by me, Sitting in traffic or spending too much time trolling the local city Facebook groups for what’s going on in my city and frustrated like minded citizens.

[esm]

The one time I was in Atlanta for more than just changing planes, I had no transportation problems whatsoever. The hotel where the conference was being held was a super-easy, straight shot from the airport on the red or gold MARTA lines, and everywhere else that I went was within walking distance. So... not really a representative sample.

I walked around more than I normally would, but between taking the bus, MARTA train, walking, and biking, I've been able to go around quite a bit. It's so easy to look up bus routes and schedules on Google Maps these days. I mean, walking 15-20k steps a day on vacation is normal for me. I can see myself being more active living here.

[erilaz]

^ Even in places with excellent and/or cheap public transportation (e.g., Tokyo and Mexico City), I tend to do a lot of walking while on vacation, too. If I have enough free time at my disposal, I love to just wander around and see whatever happens to cross my path.

[TotallyUncool]

I feel better when I spend a lot of time walking - and I've always felt like it helps me know (and become a part of) the places that I walk through.

[Zunu]

Up until I got sick recently I was walking 15k+ steps daily for over a year. I'm mostly recovered now but since starting up again I've cut it down to 11k, because it had become somewhat time consuming and chore-like.

But I totally agree.I discovered so many details about my neighborhood that I never knew despite living here for 20+ years. And beyond. Parks I didn't know existed down streets I had never passed on foot or vehicle. And, when walking solo, it creates time to catch up on music, podcasts, and audiobooks, or just clear one's head and watch the world.

[Zunu]

Btw, it's World Book Day again, in which Amazon makes available free Kindle books by international authors.

https://www.amazon.com/article/read-the-world-2022

[Moh]

If a place I visit is walkable, I certainly enjoy seeing sights that way. Walking around Gatlinburg in 2008 was a lot of fun!

Can't believe I'll be in Portland this time tomorrow. Strangely, I still can't believe this is happening, lol. Maybe it'll sink in once my friend picks me up.

[Shoujo Q]

My cousin from California is coming this week. I haven’t seen him in over 15 years. Of course I come down with a nasty spring cold because why wouldn’t I?

I took two days off work and now another day because I’m not going into work feeling like death.