A reporter in Minneapolis set out on an interesting challenge--to live in the Mall of America for one week. He kept a diary of that experience.
One way is to eat, breathe, drink, and sleep in the place for seven days, inhabiting it during all open hours, 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Which is exactly what I did. I realized going in that boredom would be my greatest adversary. These misgivings were compounded by the guidelines I was determined to follow:* I was not to leave the building for any amount of time during open hours.
* I was to at least step foot in every one of the mall's 520-plus stores.
* I was required to sleep a minimum of one night in the mall. Somehow.
* No outside food, water, or alcohol. Everything consumed must be purchased onsite.
* No iPod or other distractions allowed.
* No poking fun at the mall's Santa Clauses.
* Not even the one that kind of looks like a pedophile.
Day One
As I stepped inside, finding respite from the bitter morning cold, I took solace in the fact that at least my new home would be climate-controlled. I was excited to discover from mall officials that there's no need to heat the building. The skylights above the sprawling amusement park in the mall's core provide warmth via the greenhouse effect. In addition, the body heat emitted from the teeming hordes of shoppers—typically 100,000 or so per day—keep the temp at a balmy 70 degrees even on cloudy days.
For the full story, check here.
Also, check out a past entry about the secret apartment at Providence Place in Rhode Island.