It closed for good in late July after thirteen years as one of Oakland’s countercultural hubs. The underground artist studio and venue’s landlord had discontinued its lease, and the newly doubled monthly rent was too high. And there was no stage, so twenty-somethings in stylishly disheveled clothes clutched tall cans and craned their necks to catch glimpses of the performers.īut, despite the room’s vibrant energy, the night was bittersweet: It was LoBot’s farewell show. Unframed art pieces hung haphazardly on the walls, most of them priced at less than $5. An excessively large band performed with nine guitarists. A feminist electronic noise duo used a candle and swathes of fabric in a goddess ritual. It ordinarily felt cavernous, but on this particular Saturday night in July there was hardly room to stand. So, get the old lantern working and follow us down into the depths.Young partygoers piled into LoBot Gallery, a West Oakland warehouse and former carpet factory.

Join us here at The Travel for an in depth look at some of the most amazing underground cities and tunnels where you’re sure to find adventure, history and at times, the chills and thrills you seek when heading out on vacation. Indeed, there are many forgotten roads, tunnels and living quarters in the States and Canada, and many flock from around the world to get but a glimpse of the rich history that can be found in the depths under the streets we walk every day. We suddenly wanted to travel the world in search of more … in search of adventure and understanding.Īnd perhaps one of the most mysterious places to visit are the abandoned underground cities that are abroad and even in our own backyards. These films and television shows egged us on and inspired us to want to travel, and for more than just a week of lounging on the beach. Who was able to watch Indiana Jones without wanting to visit Egypt in search of some uncovered truth or gem from the ages? Who was able to watch the epic Martial Arts films from Asia without wanting to go there and experience what we saw only on TV and in our dreams? Probably no one. For those of us who dedicate our free time and spare chunks of change to traversing the oceans around us, the locations of the world have called to us from the time we were children.

The places we travel to have called to us for years.

Thirteen old underground moni