That's Strange: Bubblegum Alley

You know what? It doesn't always take a genius architect or creative artist to create a monumental marvel. People like you and me can make one... or at least contribute. Imagine turning an ordinary red-brick wall into a colourful palette without using paint or graffiti but chewed bubblegum. Yes, what you threw in the bin last week could have been used to adorn Bubblegum Alley on Higueira Street in San Luis Obispo (SLO), California.

The twenty-meter-long stretch of thousands of chewed gum wads has ironically become a major landmark of the city. I wonder though why anyone would come here to see someone else's chewed gum. The fact remains that despite giving an ‘eew’ feeling every time you pass by the Alley, you just can’t ignore the marvellous yet unsanitary impressions, especially if you happen to come here for the first time.

Like any first time traveller, I was also curious to see the notorious canvas. While I was just a few steps away, the Alley (from a distance) appeared as if it was built with ancient coins and some beaded necklaces. A closer look revealed that the coins were actually gum wads and the assumed necklaces were stretched bubblegum, hanging loosely on the wall.

The first thing I did was tie my hair so that I didn’t get into a mess. With all the bad breath of the saliva infested gum, the place really stinks! But strangely, despite the disgust that it creates, I’d suggest stopping here to see the fancy patterns, stretched at its best. Faces, coins, flowers, “I Love SLO”, proposals and plenty of other shapes masticated in different colours and sizes.

Started in late 1950s, it’s believed that the Alley came about as a result of a rivalry between San Luis Obispo High School and Cal Poly students. However, in the 1970s the Alley was cleaned up after receiving constant complaints by some shopkeepers. Refusing to budge, people in SLO didn’t relent and the gum found its way once again on the wall. It’s not just SLO but other cities too have taken this pop culture seriously. Whether it is the Maid Rite Sandwich shop in Greenville (Ohio) or the Pike Place Market Theatre in Seattle, both boast of a whacky bubble gum wall now.

Strangely, now shopkeepers feel that the Alley draws a lot of tourists to their stores and have started keeping gumball machines. While at Bubblegum Alley, don’t forget to paste your juicy gum on the wall of fame. I did and it was fun. Who would have imagined the wonders mere bubblegum can do!

To reach San Luis Obispo, you can book a flight to San Luis Obispo from the nearest airport. MakeMyTrip also offers several holiday packages to Los Angeles from locations all over India.