ah St. Louis, true american beauty. . . gem of the heartland.
St Louis gateway to the west, a few square miles of decadence surrounded by miles upon miles of industrial rot and decay interspersed with long forgotten burned out graffiti laden projects. it is a description that could be applied to any american city, new york, atlanta, chicago, indianapolis, D.C., even my home town of rochester. the city of St Louis is layed out in the classic american style, so that no matter what direction you enter the city from your first impression is one of a polluted decaying wasteland. the true downtown areas are like oasis?s, clean and bright, lost in a sea of dimly lit industrial waste and violent crime. St Louis was first settled on the majestic banks of the mighty Mississippi in the late 1600's. today it hard to look at the mississippi as either mighty or majestic. on the river front, broken and dirty old cobbelstones lead down to the 20 foot deep 500 foot wide channel and if you venture all the way down to the waters edge only disappointment awaits. the water is murky and brown and throws an offensive odor into the air. the river is wholly unimpressive, as are the old rusting and rotting bridges that cross it.
