I've done bugger all this week, so have decided to mention a couple of places which, ideally, I will see before I die.
First up is Centralia, Pennsylvania.
Long story short, Centralia was a small mining town which had the habit of burning garbage in the local landfill, which was essentially a pit on the outskirts of the town. In 1962 the town's underground coal deposits caught fire and to this day, all attempts to extinguish it have been unsuccessful. The town's residents were relocated but a handful of families still remain in their homes. In 2007, 9 people remain. Given the size of the coal deposits, the fire is expected to continue burning underground for up to 250 years and could spread to neighbouring towns.
Next is Prypiat, Ukraine.
This city used to house the workers from the Chernobyl power plant and after the disaster, it was hastily evacuated. Until the turn of the century the city was largely left untouched, becoming a crude museum of the Soviet way of life. Since then, looters have taken almost everything which wasn't nailed down, and some stuff which was. Apparently, gaining access to the city is quite simple and radiation is at relatively safe levels.
These locations, to me, have a true history and in addition, they are humbling. They stand as monuments to man's arrogance and stupidity, and I guess a part of me finds that attractive. Don't ask me why.
Anywhere off the beaten track that you lovely people would love to visit?
First up is Centralia, Pennsylvania.
Long story short, Centralia was a small mining town which had the habit of burning garbage in the local landfill, which was essentially a pit on the outskirts of the town. In 1962 the town's underground coal deposits caught fire and to this day, all attempts to extinguish it have been unsuccessful. The town's residents were relocated but a handful of families still remain in their homes. In 2007, 9 people remain. Given the size of the coal deposits, the fire is expected to continue burning underground for up to 250 years and could spread to neighbouring towns.
Next is Prypiat, Ukraine.
This city used to house the workers from the Chernobyl power plant and after the disaster, it was hastily evacuated. Until the turn of the century the city was largely left untouched, becoming a crude museum of the Soviet way of life. Since then, looters have taken almost everything which wasn't nailed down, and some stuff which was. Apparently, gaining access to the city is quite simple and radiation is at relatively safe levels.
These locations, to me, have a true history and in addition, they are humbling. They stand as monuments to man's arrogance and stupidity, and I guess a part of me finds that attractive. Don't ask me why.
Anywhere off the beaten track that you lovely people would love to visit?
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As for me, having moved so many times in the last five years, I'd really just like to go visit one or two of the places I lived before I became so uprooted. I simply long for familiar places and good friends. I've had enough "newness" for now...
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