What is this thing that I have been raving about for months? And took so long to write about.
Journey to the End of the Night is a free street game of epic proportion. Players race through the haunted cityscape of San Francisco to a series of checkpoints, while avoiding being caught by chasers. Those who fall will become chasers themselves, rising in undeath to pursue their former friends and allies. No skates, no bikes, no cars, just your feet and public transportation.
Last year over 600 participants showed up at Justin Herman Plaza to experience a sprawling night of costumes, alleys, haunted houses, skeletons, bells, stealth, and signatures.
This year, it was over 1000 participants.
And this is what transpired in summary:
Highlights:
Doing the race with a friend dressed as a chicken!
Running with Chris
Learning to trust nobody and walking in the middle of the street
The mad dash from checkpoint #1 to a bus stop on Stockton
How I escaped being tagged by being weary and slow, walking on the other side of the street watching Ta-ching and Chris being “accidentally” tagged right at the border of the safe zone at checkpoint #3
Long line at checkpoint #3
Disappointing experiences at the checkpoints due to the large amount of people
Long waits at bus stops at Mission and 16th
Realizing that the chasers were not playing fair, not knowing the safe zones and wearing “runners” ribbons as trophies
Having to correct chasers multiple times at where the safe zones were located
Realizing that Cynthia had been tagged although she kept it hidden for awhile
A failed experience at building a “recipe” at Duboce Park
The CRAZY chase before checkpoint #6 down Central where we tricked chasers: I hesitated getting off the bus because I was confused as to our strategy and watched Chris & crew bolt for their life. Seeing Ta-ching and others being tagged. I hid behind cars, letting the chaos break up on its on. Then I ran to the checkpoint. Safe.
Sadly tripping up the sensors at checkpoint #6
Surprisingly meeting with Eric at checkpoint #6 even though he still dressed as a chicken!
Diving into a bush at Mason and Fulton thinking that a chaser was going to tag me when it really didn’t matter
Being stuck in a bush for several minutes while Chris tried calling me although I was right behind the bus shelter stuck in a bush
Running across the street to safe zone of Golden Gate Park
Being tagged less than 100 feet from the final checkpoint and having to tell the chaser that I already was in the safe zone
Making it to the end with the bestest person EVER!
