Hasani OWU: Mid-Semester Break- Wednesday

Columbus, Ohio. Before this year, I never really visited Columbus unless it was for an event at Ohio State or for a project. This time, I am all alone and exploring the benefits of what Columbus has to offer. I was surprised by the landscape and the structures. Downtown Columbus looks like some parts of Downtown Cleveland. Downtown Columbus is sectioned off into several districts like Downtown Cleveland. All of these pictures are from the heart of Downtown Columbus in or around the Arena District.

The reason I was in Downtown Columbus on a Wednesday morning instead of slugging it out in school was that it was Mid-Semester Break and this was the first time (since I have been at Ohio Wesleyan) that Mid-Semester Break started on a weekday. I thought five days was enough time for me to explore a new environment NOT in Ohio. After thinking about the cost of the trip and where I wanted to go, I decided to leave for Minnesota. I tried to be discrete about it since Minnesota does not usually equate excitement for other people. I decided on Minnesota because one of my classes just finished its lecture about the Malling of America and what better way to do research and experience the mall atmosphere than to go to the Mall of America.

I went to the Greyhound Bus Terminal around 10:00 am even though my bus did not arrive until 1:00 pm. I checked at the register, purchased my tickets, and found a place to store my luggage. This gave me an opportunity to explore downtown Columbus during the morning as well as lunch time. At 10:00 am, the town seemed relatively quiet. People were not walking about and most of the restaurants were still closed. Since I was in the Arena District, I was wondering how much traffic it would be and where exactly I would get something to eat. Around 11:00 am, I started to see mass movements of people emerging from their office

buildings. Many people needed a smoke break and many others were moving quickly to their next destination by foot, probably to a nearby restaurant. I was not familiar with the area so I decided to go to a vendor that sold an impressive amount of food. There was Philly Cheesesteak, Gyros, and other things (think: Mr. Hero's) along with desserts. I got a Philly Cheesesteak, some Doritos, and some kind of soda I was unfamiliar nor do I clearly remember. I looked at a location to settle down and I found a plaza in which a Starbuck's was near. I took my time eating and enjoying the scenery of people going about their business while I was idle. After I finished eating, I walked to the Scioto River bridge. Wednesday at noon was lovely and the sun was very bright. I had to avoid the bird crap on the sidewalk but another than that, I enjoyed my walk around the area.

There are a lot of area I covered in the Arena district. I walked past a lot of interesting architecture and sculpture including one of William McKinley. The messages are interesting; you can check them out for yourself at the end of the blog. I walked past the Ohio Theatre, which is a place I always hear about from the Music professors. Since I am doing Opera this semester, there were a couple of plays I was invited to at the Ohio Theatre but I had other engagements to take care of before I could enjoy a stage rehearsal. Nevertheless, the Ohio Theatre looked good from the outside and it is in a good location where it will draw a lot of people in the downtown

area. I also walked through the Columbus Town Center during this stint. I was very surprised to see how empty the City Center. One would think that the City Center would draw a lot of people but there are only about 5 or 6 actual stores open. The City Center still looks relatively new. Walking through to get back to the Greyhound Terminal was a bit eerie. I hope that stores will re-open or relocation back to the City Center. I know that downtown Columbus is more for businesses rather than retail but hopefully people will utilize the space more. I would hate to see this space go to waste.

I walked back to the Greyhound terminal station at about 12:30 to retrieve my bag and to wait in the long line. My anticipation was growing because never have I traveled to a foreign state on my own on a Greyhound. One thing I did know- I had to leave Ohio for a short amount of time and quickly. This was my opportunity to be me and have the experience of a lifetime visiting Minnesota and reaping all of its benefits. I had the money and the means and I was determined to do it. Minnesota, here I come!!!!

From a Man on a Mission,
Hasani Wheat
Class of '10

P.S.- Additional pictures below.