3 Days, 3 Ways

1. Passenger in Vehicle

After first walking the path I had chosen to take to the bridge by Trocedero, I asked a friend of mine to allow me to ride in the back seat of their car as they drove the same path. This encounter was extremely different than the one I had experienced when walking by myself. When walking by myself, I found plenty of time to view details and reflect on the area I was around. Driving was a very different story. I found it impossible to even be aware of my surroundings while distractions like the radio and talking to a friend were involved. It seemed like the path went by tremendously fast and we were there before I could even think to pay attention to the atmosphere.

2. Riding a Bike

On the second day, I decided to ride my bike along that same path. Biking in my primary way of transportation when the weather in permitting. Again, I found it hard to concentration as intently on the sights and sounds of the city around me, but I was able to appreciate it much more than when I was in the car. I’m one of those bikers that get competitive and will not allow another biker to pass them, so on the busier streets I couldn’t help but be more concerned with keeping my pace in reference to other bikers. On the side streets I was actually able to experience the route in a similar manor to the first time.

3. Riding a Skateboard

For my third trudge through my path, I asked yet another friend if I could borrow their skateboard. I had not been on a skateboard for over ten years, so it was a pretty frustrating attempt. Unlike the first two days, this trip took a grueling amount of time to complete. However, similar to first two “ways”, I found it very hard to concentrate on anything other than the transportation I had chosen. I was much more concerned with not falling and breaking my face than taking in the sights and sounds around me. The only sounds that really caught my attention were people yelling things about how awful I was at skateboarding and cars honking as they went by. I was far too embarrassed to take notice of anything else.