With or Without You in Packrat

My Excellent Adventure wasn’t. U2 cancelled on Saturday morning! They made a responsible decision based on what was going on; on Friday the court acquitted a white ex-cop in the shooting death of a black man. When I landed in St. Louis Friday night the protests had not yet grown so violent, according to my mom, who saw it on the news, and my shuttle driver, who thought they were pretty much over. I stayed up watching the news until about 2 a.m.; four policemen had minor injuries and had pepper-sprayed the crowd, who had gathered at the mayor’s house and broken a window at that time. The street by the Dome was empty and quiet, and by then the news program had been showing footage taken earlier in the day. I thought the protests were over.
…I had just awoken Saturday morning and still sat on my bed when my friend called, wondering where I was. “St. Louis,” I said - anybody who encountered me lately knew that. She had heard that morning on the news that U2 cancelled! I thought at first she was pulling my leg until I watched the news myself. Two opposing groups planned rallies at a nearby park. None had threatened the concert, but if they wanted to get attention and make a point that concert especially would make a great target. With the police force needed to keep the peace at the protests they didn’t have the manpower to post security at the concert. U2 decided for the safety of the fans to cancel, and Ed Sheeran, scheduled to perform Sunday night, did likewise.
…One hears so many stories in the midst of chaotic circumstances. The news program I watched said members of the black community had testified on behalf of the ex-cop, and the judge ruled that the evidence just wasn’t there to charge him with murder. A reporter claimed that in the beginning the protests were peaceful but that paid outside agitators came in to incite the crowd. My friend said the news reported that the protestors blocked the emergency room doors of the hospitals. She heard eleven police were injured. By all accounts the protests seemed more violent. Since then I’ve heard nine police had been injured with 20+ arrests. The rallies at the park were peaceful, but my mom saw on the news that there had been more riots on Sunday.
…My street stayed empty and quiet. The view from my window was the venue; it was that close. I watched it all day to see if perhaps protestors might come by; the only activity came in the evening when lights on the upper floor were on, the only traffic a long white trailer’s lights blinking as it parked by the building.
…I went to the front desk Saturday morning to check out. Luggage overflowed from the room behind the front desk and spilled into the area behind the front desk while people still poured in, checking in with desk clerks who had to keep repeating that the concert had been cancelled.
…I intended to leave Saturday but the cost to change my flight would have been nearly as much as the room and the flight would have taken me to Dallas first then Tulsa, where I’d get in late and still have an hour to drive once I got in. I’d have to scramble to change my shuttle plans and hope that it would get me to the airport on time since at that time the flight was soon to depart. I thought of going to a cheaper hotel (I have a favorite in St. Louis) but I’d still have to find out if there was a vacancy, make a reservation, and get there. My best option seemed to be to stay put, where I looked out the window at intervals, watching the stadium and the street.
…St. Louis ticket holders get a refund. There seems to be no talk of a reschedule. I hope we’re not shut out completely! Besides being a U2 concert the situation was nearly perfect for me at this time - the venue was right there. I thought I’d have to cross a parking lot but the hotel and stadium were literally side by side. When I checked into the stadium set up I found that the entry closest to the hotel was also the one closest to my seat, where a cart could take me if need be and the stairs had railings. I had requested assistance at the airports; I ran into problems only at the hotel. I ended up rounding the whole top floor to get to my room when my room was actually a few doors down from the elevators. That walk beat me up. I took a small carry on, which wasn’t heavy, but in my current state affected my balance. That was the only bad stretch (not counting the cancellation) I had and it wasn’t that bad and was of my own making.
…I like St. Louis. I’m a country mouse but St. Louis is one of the places I’ve visited that I think. “I could live here.” Riding to my hotel, even at night, I took in the sites, feeling as if I had come home.
…I understand U2’s decision and think it was the responsible one. Besides the uncertainty of unrest going on at the time in St. Louis, U2 is unfortunately familiar with what can happen. “The troubles” may not affect their daily lives but they’re an undercurrent from which horrible events sprang - bombings at parades, for instance. That’s just Ireland; they have also been involved in aid for other countries where violence can come at any time.
…So that was my Excellent Adventure. It was an experience I didn’t expect and would rather not have had, but maybe another chanc e will come. “Meet Me in St. Louis”!

Last updated September 19, 2017