Hi there. I have completed my two hour Lolly the Trolley tour of Cleveland. I was blown away by the rich history and culture of this fair city we call home. Afterwards I had a new found appreciation and love for this town. I wanted to hate it here so badly, now I fear this experience may alter my original plans for moving. Oh well, I won't think about that now. I will live in the moment, and know that if I ever do move, hopefully I'll be leaving on a good note, rather than on a sour one. I want to feel as though I'd be be moving TO something as opposed to FROM something. I don't wanna burn any bridges ever. lol off the soapbox now.
The tour starts at the Powerhouse in the flats. This is appropriate since the Powerhouse is where the energy came from to power the Trolley cars. The cost is $17.00 per adult with senior and child discounts. I saw a groupon for $19.00 for a couple which is very reasonable. I would recommend this tour for anyone who has guests in town, or children old enough to understand the information provided. Or , actually everyone who lives here. The history lesson in priceless.
The guide was very infomative and entertaining. She spoke with a clear and calming voice. I could have listened to her talk all day. She is a retired art teacher and airline hostess. Her script is 100 pages long and it took her a year to learn it. She said the pay is not much, but she loves the job. We did tip her at the end of the tour.
I thought this was a good place to start my project of roaming the city alone since you don't have to talk to anyone while riding. However, I did feel a little awkyard when the owner of the tour asked me where I was from and how many in my party. She gave me a broad smile as I sheepishly replied "I'm from Cleveland and I am a party of 1." She then said " Oh, you must be staycationing." Apparently this is a new term used to describe folks who spend their vactaion time at home, probably because of economics. I practiced staycationing years ago when my children were little. I had paid vacations back then, but not the money to take the family on a vacation. So, I would plan fun things to do on a daily basis here at home. There truly are many things to do with young children, so next time you have a day off and want to do something fun, let your fingers do the walking on the internet. Let the yard go, the kids are only young once.
As much as I was tempted to call a family member to share this experience, I was happy to be on my own. I got lost in the many thoughts that came to my head. As my fellow 13 passengers, and a dog in a stroller had all boarded, we drove around downtown on a most beautiful weather day, (we have so few). I started to dream what it was like for the pioneers who came here from other places to start a new life. I thought of how hard it must have been to leave family and spend the bitter winters here. I tried to picture Moses Cleveland, a Conneticut surveyer, who came out here and saw so much growth potential in the land here. Enough to prompt him to move his family of nine children and a wife to settle in Cleveland. There is a replica of the small log home they lived in. It is located in the flats. I was told how the Irish immigrants built the canal and were paid 50 cents and a shot of whiskey a day. The whiskey was for medicinal purposes. Since there was not any medicine to ward of infectious mosquitos, the whiskey helped. LOL, now I see how we got our bad reputation for the love of the bottle. I imagined the Industrialists from New England who were responsible for so much of what we have today. I pictured the freedom seekers who fled slavery and traveled in the Underground Railroads located in the heart of Downtown. They had to cross the water to Canada in order to reach their final destination of "Freedom". Much later in time, my mother rode the Trolley from the burbs to Downtown for her job. Even though the cars are only a replica, I still felt like I had time traveled a bit riding in the cute car.
As fast a my thoughts drifted in a time gone by, they just as quickly returned as we approached the center of Downtown and I witnessed the hustle and bustle of a modern day work week. I acutally felt a little embarrrased when we drove by my old place of employment. Would if someone saw me? Would they think I was a loser doing such a touristy type activity. It's funny how we always think others are coming up with negative conclusions about us, when in reality I'm sure others are not thinking of us at all. Next time you feel conspicuous somwhere, try to remember and say to yourself, "get over yourself. No one cares what you're doing." lol Anyway, I was really happy just to be me enjoying my day off, doing something just for myself. I remember reading a book that stated that in Italy, people think of Americans as the hardest working folks in the world. They also view us as people who do not enjoy ourselves in our leisure time. I think I shall agree with them on some levels. I always hear excuses from folks as to why they can't do this or that. Are we not worthy of spending some of our hard earned money, and precious off time on ourselves? Without guilt at the thought of not doing something "Productive" all the time. The Italians consider "Pleasure" as their God given right as a human being. They consider their off work time as important, maybe more important than their at work time. Did we forget how to " stop and smell the roses", as they say? Are we littered with bad feelings for making time out just for us? Especially woman. More patricular woman who have families. Remember, if mama ain't happy, no ones happy. In other countries they have "Siestas", or mediation daily. I even heard once that in Japan, companies have their employees go outside in the middle of the day and are encouraged to laugh their heads off. Yeah, they just stand their and laugh. Can you imagine. You know, Selfish is not a four letter word.
I challenge you today to do something totally different than you have ever done.
Something you have always wanted to do. Then tell me about it, I want to know.
Few facts about Cleveland
Euclid Ave. was only full of mansions built by the New England Industrialists. There are only five left because they willed their estates to be torn down one year after their death. They could not bear the thougt of their beautiful homes fallings into disrepair after they were gone.
Cleveland had the first outdoor lighting in the entire world. A man named Brush was the inventor. The lights are still there on Public Square.
The city is built on three levels. The flats, the city, and the Hts. As in Garfield Hts.
For more, visit the tour.
The Art Museum is free. Hint. Hint.....
"When your through changing, you're through"
Bruce Barton
"I'm gonna get a new hairdo and look terrific, and go back to school. And even if nobody notices. I'm gonna be the most fulfilled lady on the block"
Joanne Woodward
