You may have heard about this on the radio or seen the video already. It’s been circulating around the webs, and I thought I’d pass it along too.
The story is about an urban explorer who crawls and climbs his way into some of the hidden areas of a city. The thing that resonated with me is that I always feel drawn to do it as well, but I’ve never committed. I don’t share his passion for getting the history right or meeting the mole people either. I’m just a curious dude who likes to keep to myself. There’s a part of all of us that wants to get where we’re not suppose to be, I think.
I love how suspiciously inconspicuous he tries to act. Right down to the nervous humming. He almost couldn’t draw more attention to himself. Maybe the camera was making him nervous. At first it just seemed like he’s trying to legitimize his natural desire to scale shit, but in the tiny amount of reading I’ve done it sounds like he’s pursuing degrees in history. I’m envious that he’s managed to consolidate a number of different interests into a larger excellent activity. He’s blessed.
He’s also a bit of a photographer, which excites me as well. Follow his exploits at Undercity.org.
6 responses to “undercity”
( fifth attempt, I hope I got it right this time ) I agree, being able to combine interests is most fortunate. Imagine if he weren’t imprisoned he’d enjoy exploring the countryside and climbing trees.
That’s funny, I was just reading the NYTimes article that featured that guy. I’m surprised he didn’t crack any (thirtyish) mutant ninja turtle jokes when he was in the subway station.
Two comments in two days! I must be good at math.
( my math skills are improving )
The Wilderness Below Your Feet
NYTimes 1/2/2011
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/02/nyregion/02underground.html
@Joe: He really did miss the perfect opportunity to toss out a ‘cowabunga’. Excellen point. There’s also a disturbing lack of skateboards and pizza in his photography.
Thanks for the link, dad. The math blockade seems to be working. Fighting spam, educating our readers and bringing people together.
splinter was in the background in one shot, along with clear evidence that the foot had been present.
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/02/paris-underground/paris-underground-interactive
February 2011 issue