The short answer? When it’s a catwalk (1) for a fashion show. Or a race track for mountain bikes.
Hi ,
I’m regularly in a shopping centre in the middle of the city.
Several years ago, there was a big event one Saturday. They turned the escalators (2) off and roped off (3) sections from one escalator to the next. This created a track from the top of the centre to ground level.
A number of mountain bike riders then raced down the course, one at a time. Yes, down the stairs of the escalators! The crowd cheered them on. It was pretty crazy!!
Another time I was sitting in the shopping centre and was annoyed by music playing loudly. Then there was a light flashing.
Looking up, there was a photographer taking pictures of a model on a really long escalator. A bit behind her was another model. And then more.
They didn’t walk along like fashion models normally do, but they changed their poses (4) as the escalator moved them upwards.
Except for one older model. She waved at the crowd like we were her friends (which was lovely!).
A couple of weeks ago I looked up to see two guys balancing on the bannister (5) on the second floor. One of them was holding a camera.
I watched in amazement as the other guy quickly walked a few steps and then jumped from the bannister on to the long escalator (it was moving!) 😳. He then quickly leaped from the escalator back onto the second floor and his team.
He repeated his jump a couple of times and the photographer filmed from different places.
The final time, the guy didn’t just take a couple of steps and jump, he ran along the bannister for several metres and then jumped! It was crazy to watch — and dan-ger-ous!
It feels boring to add that the shopping centre is also part of the city’s annual triathlon race. The athletes run through the ground floor on their way to the finish line.
If you've seen a shopping centre being used for something other than shopping, please tell me about it.
Until next time,
Andrea
(1) catwalk — the long stage going out into the audience that fashion models walk along
(2) escalators — stairs that move to take you up (or down) to the next floor of a building
(3) roped off — when a rope is used to keep an area separate
(4) poses — ways in which a person stands (or sits), especially for a photo or other art
(5) bannister — safety barrier/handrail and the posts that hold it up
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