baltimore: a weird little love letter

it's late, i'm tired, and baltimore is still awake. the kind of city that doesn't care if you're here or not, but somehow still wraps you in its grime and charm like an old afghan. i rolled in with nothing but a backpack and a vague sense of direction, and somehow ended up at this tiny coffee shop called *the fillmore that smelled like burnt toast and rebellion. the barista had a tattoo of a raven on her wrist and told me the best way to see the city was to get lost on purpose. so i did.

the weather? well, it's the kind of damp that seeps into your bones and makes you question every life choice. i just checked and it's 4.78°c right now, feels like the universe is hugging you with wet hands. if you're into that, congrats, you'll fit right in.

i wandered down to the inner harbor, which is exactly as touristy as you'd expect, but there's something about the way the light hits the water at dusk that makes even the most cynical heart skip. someone told me that the national aquarium is worth the price of admission, but honestly, i spent more time watching the street performers juggle fire than i did looking at fish.

speaking of rumors, i heard that the fells point neighborhood is where all the cool kids hang out. i didn't see any cool kids, but i did find a bar that served the best crab cakes i've ever had. they were so good, i almost forgave the city for its questionable urban planning.

if you get bored, annapolis and washington d.c. are just a short drive away, but why would you leave? baltimore's got enough weirdness to keep you occupied for days.

and then there's the art. everywhere. murals on buildings, sculptures in alleys, graffiti that makes you stop and think. i stumbled upon a street art festival in station north* that felt like stepping into a dream where everything is slightly off-kilter but beautiful.

before i forget, here's a map because i'm nice like that:

and because no blog post is complete without photos, here are some stolen from the internet:

anyway, baltimore. it's not for everyone, but if you're the kind of person who likes their cities a little rough around the edges, you'll probably love it. just don't expect it to hold your hand. it's too busy being itself.

You might also be interested in:

• https://votoris.com/post/10-surprising-facts-about-ankaya-you-probably-didnt-know
• https://votoris.com/post/baghdad-a-tired-messy-vent
• https://votoris.com/post/phoenix-isnt-the-desert-hell-youve-heardits-just-a-weirdly-chill-dumpster-fire
• https://votoris.com/post/hyde-park-wanderlust-lost-in-londons-green-lungs
• https://votoris.com/post/stockholms-healthcare-maze-where-to-go-when-your-stomach-drops