WHY!!!, "I exclaimed," as she kept rambling about her infatuation with Prisons. Driving, on our way to Taj India for lunch and passing the Prison, she shrieked when she noticed the sign that read Prison Ahead. Before our visit we ate Tandoori Chicken and rice with fennel seeds, Naan & yogurt with cucumber. By the time we finished she was beside her self about visiting the prison. We ventured down, then up and around some bends, finally meeting our destination, Prison. We drove through the welcome gate and headed toward another large, stone barrier topped with watch towers all around. I drove slow, entered the visitor parking area and noticed many cars with A similar characteristic. After parking we walked through a line of people waiting to check in to make their Sunday visit with their friend of family. Walking near the stone wall, I felt small and weak, and wanted to leave. Everyone else bounced on ahead and was first to reach the Prison Museum. We were greeted by a woman, I call Joan, because she reminded me of my Aunt Joan. She talked with us about the prison system, men, Hispanic, White, Other, women, transvestites, tattoos and Johnny Cash. She limped her way through the artifacts showing us the toothpick ferris wheel and wall filled with tools made by the people who live there. All the while, Joan, at a tuna fish sandwich which penetrated a strong smell of fish through out the small museum. We walked to the back of the museum where the cell re-enactment was found and here we sought fresh air and escape from the tuna, but found none. We laughed and chatted amongst our self and wondered if we were on camera and then wondered how silly we must look. I wanted to leave and found NO amusement in the visit, in addition the tuna smell was affecting me and I choose nausea. After about 90 minutes of Prison Museum and tuna air we said bye to Joan and left. I could not walk fast enough to our vehicle, I wanted to run, but thought that would not look good - especially near the stone wall. Once in the truck, I still had the impulsiveness to flee quickly yet, drove the speed limit to the stop light and finally on the main road I felt an immediate sense of relief. I did not like visiting the prison, yet the rest of the group seemed to find interest in the vast institution. The prison, that is so large it is considered a city, so enormous that it has it's own zip code, fire house, security, post office and hospitals, in addition several churches and temples and shrines. "Oh, and a Senior center-that offers Starbuck coffee 24 hours a day and card tables and a looney bin... ", said Joan. Still, I wondered, WHY, did we have to do that, I mean of all the cool, crazy and fun things to do here- we visited the prison and watched Joan eat a tuna sandwich, imagined Johnny Cash and wondered how those sharp tools were made with such detail? WHY, so glad it is over, and so happy she loves prisons and that she will continue to visit them- without me.......I still can not eat tuna without thinking of this visit....... thank you Joan.......................................
