Trip #9 Monticello Street, Homewood North, Pittsburgh took place on June 24, 2017, and was published on July 24, 2017.
I hear the muted roar of airplanes overhead and the shrieks of a small child somewhere behind me. For a moment, this is a welcome distraction from the discomfort that’s been hanging around. It’s not a particular pain, more like an uncomfortable sensation I can’t quite identify. I’ve been in this place for days. I’m out of sorts. Not 100% right. Not bad but not good either. I’m sitting here trying to work through whatever it is that’s gumming me up. It’s quiet, and there’s a light breeze that moves over my skin, and it’s green and cool, and then there’s everyone else’s trash surrounding me.
~
Interesting how the landscape serves as a mirror. I have all of this, and also, all of that. The wind kicks up, and it energizes me for a moment because I like the sound. It reminds me of deep, audible breathing, and at that moment there’s a flicker of excitement, the possibility that anything could happen. Despite the this and the that I’m going to stand up and move on, move through the discomfort. I’ll move down, and then I’ll move back up again.
Field Notes: Was feeling rushed so I only did 1 trip today. So much trash dumped here. 🙁
Want to visit these stairs? You can locate them on the Pittsburgh City Steps Plan website!
See the Risograph print of this photo and story in the Mis.Steps Shop.
Be a good neighbor! Have you visited these stairs and found them in poor condition or that illegal dumping (large items like tires, old furniture, and construction debris) and trash were abundant in the area? There are two things you can do to take action and make our city steps cleaner and safer for everyone! First, grab a photo if you can, and submit a report to Pittsburgh 311. All problems, both broken stairs, and railings, as well as trash and dumping, should be reported to the city. You can easily do this online or by calling. If the location has an abundance of illegal dumping and trash, also contact Allegheny Cleanways, letting them know the location and the nature of the garbage. Thank you!!
