Diamond Jubilee: Ohio City, Cleveland

West Side Market

Downtown from the Columbus Road Bridge

June 2021

I arrived at the Greyhound Station in Cleveland after crossing the post-industrial blight that is Western PA and Eastern OH. I started to wonder what I was getting myself into...

Former student AQ happily met me at the bus station (which was just as dire as the one in Pittsburgh) and soon we were in his car headed to a cheap hotel I had found nearby. Once again, the effect of COVID rendered most hotel prices extremely reasonable. He had driven up from Kent where he was studying for his PhD. It was great to see him again after a long time.

Our first stop was (upon my recommendation) the West Side Market. I read that it was the best remaining "old" market in the city. AQ had never been to a market like that in the US, so he was excited. I was impressed with the variety of foods and how "real" the market felt (as opposed to having given itself over to tourism). After noshing our way through the market - which was surprisingly full during COVID - we exited to walk around the area.

On Google Maps, just across the river in a place called "Irishtown Bend" was a famous metal sign "Cleveland" showcasing the river and the city skyline behind it. Since it was a short walk, we went on foot crossing the Columbus Road Bridge (an old-style bridge that could raise and lower for river traffic). We found the sign and took our photos. The view of downtown was equally good from the bridge. AQ always appreciated my desire to explore and see "offbeat" locations (e.g., he had seen that sign but never knew the location).

We were off to a good start. Now it was AQ's turn to show me around - after all, he had visited Cleveland far more than me.