Alright, so most people have a travel list. And if the work ‘hammock’ and ‘travel’ come into play, the word ‘nature’ usually follows along right behind. Now, don’t get me wrong- I will hang my hammock around the world’s forests one day but I think people are missing the potential of life by just limiting their hammocks to the leafy green world. So I’m going to share you with my top five urban locations I want to chill out in a hammock with and I hope you go write your own list!
A New Orleans Cemetery
Before I go any further, let me be clear that I would not risk hurting any of these beautiful areas by trying to rig up a hammock. Instead, I’d bring a light weight travel stand. Now, I’ve always loved New Orleans. I am a native of Louisiana after all and have spent many happy weekends there. Of course, I could never hook my family and friends into going on yet another trip of the cemeteries. If you aren’t familiar, high water levels prevents Louisiana’s citizens from burying their dead underground. In the wonderful spirit of Louisiana celebration of the dead, lots of money is spent on creative, artistically rich tombs. Under old oak trees dripping with moss, angels danced and soldiers on horseback pose for generations unmet. Next day of the dead, I hope to travel down back home and spend an evening in a hammock in a cemetery, listening to the spirits.
Berlin, Germany
This is a bit of twofer packed into one. Even though the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, picture evidence of two once separate sections suggest that the city has never healed. I plan to plant myself on the dividing line between what once was West and East Germany. I want to look at each side of the city separately and think about the historical importance of the wall. And I want to reflect on if I would be here if each of my grandmothers hadn’t escaped Germany before the wall was put up.
Paris, France
Ever since my middle school guidance counselor convinced me to take French over Spanish (help save your State’s linguistic history he said) I’ve always loved the art in Paris. While I’d probably hop on down to the Student Quarter first to see if I could get anyone to talk to me in Latin, the street art is where it is really at. Several buildings are interactive, including one with where street performers cluster. I’ve always seen tourist bring chairs- as some of the acts are Professional and have a long running time- and I tend to one up everyone and chill out on my hammock as I watch mimes breath fire. I wonder if they might let me string up a hammock from one of the corners of the Eiffel Tower?
Honolulu, Hawaii
Wait, wait it is urban! Right over the bustling city is a wonderful volcano that has been hollowed out for years. This is the one exception on the list where I would not use a stand. Rather, I want to hike up just enough on the side of the volcano to get a good view of the city and enjoy watching the island natives and tourists buzz through the city. It’s people watching- with a view!
Seattle, Washington
Alright so I admit it: I wish I could have been born in Seattle. I’ve always had a love with seaport cities and the Puget Sound looks beautiful. And I have to admit that I could probably spend days going through Seattle. But first I figure, why not see it all a little one at once? So the first chance I get I am going up to the Seattle Space Needle and convincing them to let me plant down my hammock and enjoy the view. Ideally, I’d be able to do this right at sunset when the Sound is lit up and follow with a reservation at the Sky City restaurant a floor down. I know my partner would want to be right there in the hammock with me, talking about the Olympic Mountains and trying to figure out when we could go out there and camp.
A word of caution though folks. One of the reasons that many folks probably take a hammock into the forest for relaxation is that park rangers are most likely not going to tell you to take down your hammock. When you go to an urban area, you must respect the laws. Make sure to not block access on any public street. If you want to go on private property, ask the owner or an appropriately empowered person. Asking ahead of time in a respectable manner is more likely to make them agree with your request. Remember that you represent all of us hammock lovers when you go out! Above all, if a police officer asked you to move you are allowed to ask what law you are violating. However, if a proper law is cited please apologize and pack up the hammock!
I wish you happy hammock time!
