The urban explorer spends his time investigating abandoned homes, businesses, hospitals, railway stations, etc. They find a certain artistic value in the decay and neglect. I have to agree. Some of their pictures are absolutely stunning and really hit home. Often times, they will relate the history of a property and why it has been abandoned. Each story is unique in circumstances but are joined in the sadness that what one once worked so hard to procure now lays in ruin. Other times, there is nothing to go on other than subtle clues left behind within the rubble.
It is quite intriguing to watch these videos on YouTube. A jumble of emotions begin to take over. One video could be a wonderful walk down memory lane with all the antiques, vintage products (old over-the-counter medicine bottles or packaged foods left behind to the very set of dinnerware in the cupboard), the toys left behind from children. Then there is the sadness when you realized all this family has lost . For whatever reason, this family has lost their home. They have lost everything they spent their life working for, everything which was precious to them. If they passed away, how is it that this home was not claimed by their relatives. Consider the waste of land. Surely cleaning them up and utilizing them for another purpose would be far more advantageous than allowing them to degrade into very dangerous conditions. Often times gangs or drug dealers will use these as hang outs. Explorers have to be very careful entering into the structure not only because of precarious conditions of the structure but unsavory people hiding within. Quite the conundrum. I do not have the answers but there surely is a lot of potential with these properties.
Protective gear is a much. Respirators are needed to protect one from black mold, asbestos, lead paint, One truly must be dedicated to expose themselves to these types of pathogens. Gloves are required because you just never know what your are handling. Will protect when moving an object from getting cut on rusty nails or broken glass. Also, a thick soled and sturdy shoe is required to navigate amongst the debris and the ever present nails sticking out of fallen boards. No matter how innocent the property may appear, it is sly hidden dangers.
Explorers are respectful never taking what is not theirs or destroying the premises inside or out. They leave the property in the same condition as it was found. Their purpose is to document and record a portion of history that goes unnoticed to the average individual. We all live in our own little worlds hustling and bustling about our days paying no mind to the rest. Many explorers want to give an awareness to people of what is going on around them. Giving a recognition to the footprint left behind by an individual, family, or business.
Their photography is mesmerizing. Eerie glimpses into the past through spider webs and floating dust. Fireplaces once ablaze warming a family now housing animal nests. Draperies once freshly washed and pressed hanging in tatters wavering in the breeze through a broken window. Vines crawling through broken windows or crevices festooning the room. Stairways with precariously wobbly and tilted banisters. An uneasy queasiness that this house just might fall at any moment.
As for me, I shall stay home and enjoy the videos of many wonderful YouTubers willing to bring to light the lost lives of so many people. Be it a home or business, it is abandoned for a reason. There is a history there…a story to tell. I truly enjoy the history and social enlightenment revealed through the efforts of YouTubers. Your videos are great but the still photos truly capture the real feeling and ambiance of the lives that once lived within four walls of enchantment and mystery.
“All is a riddle, and the key to a riddle…is another riddle.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
When our wonderments seek answers, we only realize how much more there is to wonder. Just keep exploring and learning and asking questions.