The world as we know it has been invaded. The only way to see these intruding presences known as Pokémon is through a smartphone lens. Everyone not living under a rock or cell service dead zone will at least have heard of the phenomenon. I almost didn’t get the app. But the more I read and heard, the more my curiosity was piqued. The first night I had the game, I didn’t leave my house. It was boring. This is not how Pokémon Go is played. The next day, I went to an ice cream place and caught my first Pokémon and spun my first Pokéstop. I was hooked. The day after that, I walked my mom downtown.
I didn’t have a dog or sibling or friend immediately available to take for a walk, so I chose the next best option. My mom. As we walked, I would explain the concept of the game. Soon we passed several Pokémon, and I showed my mom how to catch them. She loved the cute ones. If my mom had a smartphone, I would download it for her, and I guarantee she would play with me. After covering the downtown, I went from level two to level five. No, I’m not telling you which team I chose. I can’t risk alienating my small readership on the basis of a color.
Spot the Pokémon Go player is my new favorite people watching activity. Usually it’s a couple of middle school boys walking around town staring at their phones intently. I’ve also spotted a pair of girls who stopped at a Pokéstop, pointed and looked down at their phones again. Sometimes I suspect bikers. WPI is a hilarious place to watch the gazillions of overnight campers displaying classic Pokémon Go behavior. My one complaint is that I’ve seen a large proportion step directly on the seal while watching their phones. The second floor of the gym is a great place to discreetly watch the players on the quad.
So, whether you are an avid player or avoid excess movement at all cost, there is plenty of amusement to be had. Sit and sip your coffee while watching people too young to be legally drunk stumble around, eyes glued to their phones. Or embrace your inner nerd. Go for a run. Catch Pokémon. Hatch eggs. Be the best that you can be. Gotta catch ‘em all.
