Norwich houses

In the afternoon I spent hoofing around one of Norwich's outlying neighborhoods (canvassing for Obama), I became intrigued by the place: by the old houses fronted by open porches piled with junk, which decades ago were the scene of Irish immigrants socializing up and down the streets; by the occasional majestic building, sign of earlier boom times; by the crumbling early industrial revolution factories on the river; by the sight of the giant Mohegan Sun casino looming, Oz-like, above the trees, in the distance (which now serves as the main employer, providing low-wage jobs and lots of renters). I intend to go back with my bike and tool around.