8/5/07 No. 1 bus route walk documentation

Start time: 3:10 PM, Dudley Square
End time: 5:10 PM, Harvard Square
Action: Walked with heavy suitcases filled with seed pots, dirt, water and squash seeds. Accepted help when offered. Was followed and observed by documenter.

Documenter Information:
Gender: Male
Race/Ethnicity: Caucasian; Eastern European
Age: 34
Lives in: Cambridge

Documenter’s Narrative:

3:10 started at Dudley Square station
• i noticed that are almost no people walking around but an older lady waiting for the bus was curious. after all you were caring two red suitcases...
• i had a strange feeling about not helping you carry. i am obviously not cut out to be a wartime photographer... i am not sure how you point a camera and shoot while someone could use your help...
• we passed a graveyard and i thought of you with two suitcases as alone. maybe partially because there were no people on sidewalks. what are the sidewalks for if no one is walking? somehow your solo walk was both sad and appropriate.
• why would anyone carry luggage like that. long shoulder strap makes it hard to control its sway. the suitcases are different weight and size. does it matter? this imbalance? visually? your right shoulder seemed to suffer more.
• you walk fast. so fast that i could barely keep up writing and taking photos. you must be in great shape. it was hot but not too hot. heavy suitcases. still... amazing stamina i thought. but i am sure you will slow down eventually...
• first sign of cordiality, care, paying attention. a car let you pass at the crossing near the k-8 school. another car stopped at the lights... latin music blasting. i don't know why but i really enjoyed the little concert.
• everything seemed asleep except you with 2 red suitcases and a car with the music blasting.
• people do not walk enough... and everything is so small. it takes a short time to get anywhere if you are not in a hurry...
• are the suitcases cumbersome enough to attract attention? they are red but you are strong, fast, happy... i saw people after people not even notice that you are carrying these suitcases. maybe they need to be bigger? maybe there are more of them? maybe you cannot finish the walk unless people help you? right now you can...
• feeling a bit of anger. people do not pay attention. cell phones suck. everyone! everyone seems to be on a goddamn phone... really busy folks on a sunday afternoon. essential city walking: be on your cell phone. well... fuck your phones and be curious about people around you... in front of you.
• so why do this? so much performance requires so much physical and mental effort. i love the look of a single person walking with 2 red suitcases. i really do...

3:30 Mass Ave & Albany Street
• you are on the sunny side of the street. i chose to walk on a shady side. i thought now we are going to hit more people and thus more reaction, interaction... anything. 4 women stood at one bus stop and not a single person turned to look after you.
• # 1 bus is passing. why not take it? :)
• more people on phones. smokers seem to look at anything that moves. because now they are usually smoking alone. outside of their businesses and apartments.
• a man walked behind you for a while but no reaction. i think he wanted to pass you. but i think he was aware that you are carrying a heavy load. i am not sure he cared at all.
• are you too young? does it have to do with age as much as it does with sex? if you were 60 it would be different... how would they know you want their interaction, interest, help. we recognize help by seeing people stumble, be slow, pant, etc... you look like someone who could run the marathon field. are they timid maybe? i think i would speak to you... unless i was more interested in a cup of coffee... city... selective observations and rare engagement.
• i am thankful i am not doing it. a little evil might enjoy what is essentially hard labour by someone else. i have a camera and a notepad... i can stroll... except you are still walking quite fast.

3:50 Mass Ave Orange line stop
• you sat on the suitcases waiting for a walk sign. this reminded me of countless people i have seen in my life at major train and bus stops in Eastern Europe during the 90s. everyone was going somewhere and everyone was waiting to go somewhere... i always thought their suitcases were like a small familiar territory... a piece of one's own domain/
• we pass my favorite Boston fascist plaza... the Christian Science Center. i love that place. something i believe Il Duce would like also...
• about 60 people pass by... some tour. high school? summer camp? not a single person paid attention to the suitcases or you caring them. that was really surprising.
• Berklee students pay no attention. as usual. they have different cares.

4:03 corner of Mass Ave and Boylston
• a conversation!!! finally!
• ... he helps you carry the suitcases to Hynes Convention Center bus stop. another # 1 passes...
• suddenly i feel guilty documenting. he is helping you. he is talking with you. but here i am. i can help right. i do not. that is not my job. suddenly the stage changes for me. from your microperformative walk it becomes a project almost where i eye your work and all those people. somehow it changes the experience for me. i feel unfair to the helping man. you hug and part.
• you continue and all i could think of was: it must be hard to carry both suitcases again. there was a glimpse of help. is it harder?
• suitcases: private, locked, personal, dangerous... not inviting at all... we are trained to avoid other people luggage...

4:14 Mass Ave bridge (real name Harvard Bridge)...
• you slowed down. tired a bit i am sure. i am looking forward to the bridge. wind will good.
• btw. as a pedestrian: FUCK people on bikes on MY sidewalk. on your right! on your left! well thanks for letting me know but i have no clue what that means at the moment and i do not hear very well... so i daydream of throwing them into Charles and for a moment i hope someone would stumble over one of your suitcases...

4:22 an older lady asks a quick question.
• i cannot hear what you said but i heard her say: Good luck! and she is off. right now even Sizifus seems less absurd to me. at least he did not care about the people.
• you rest... another #1 passes...

4:29 MIT...
• again no one pays attention that i can tell. artists are masochists.

4:40 Central Square...
• looks like a place where you can blend in. such a strange place... very lively... always crap everywhere...loud people. good. loud music. even better. city sounds and not just vehicles screams are always welcome. Central has a smell too... not pleasant.
• 1369 Coffee Shop... every table outside is taken... no one looks after you.

5:10 or so...
• we arrive at the last #1 stop in Harvard square...