"It is a wonderful city, and yes I know it has plenty of problems...But that isn’t what I want to focus on, because I walk to see beyond those problems. Because the residents of Holyoke, like in any “run down town”, continue living and doing their best despite them. Seeing that, and being reminded of that, is why I walk."
- Chris Arnade
I forget how I discovered Chris Arnade, but he is a splendid follow on Twitter and his Substack Intellectual Int-ing is an interesting read.
He walks all over the world, talks with locals, takes pictures, and eats McDonalds lol. Then after his journey he writes a little piece about his travels. It's a cool travel blog style that feels super old school. As if he's back in the early 2000s when blogging first became an online sensation. It's that down-to-earth aesthetic that gives it a unique authenticity. Something you won't find on any television travel show.
The specific piece I'm linking to today is the one where he walks Springfield, Chicopee, and Holyoke out in Western Massachusetts. I've been to Springfield and Holyoke recently and thought his candid descriptions of both places were right on the money. I appreciated his more intimate perspective because I was driving during my travels, and like he says walking definitely forces you to see cities "beyond the bleh".
Anyways, I thought it was a great read and wanted to share. He's worth checking out no doubt about it. Great photographer, great writer, and a wholehearted perspective all in one.
- ZB James
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