Chi Town II

Me, blogging away

We hooped an hour or so in the morning, and stretched and traded massages. So inspired, energy moving, all that drive time creating a stagnation and dis-ease, intensifying negative situations that need to be ushered through and out! I always forget the power of a good hula hooping sesh.  Veronika suggested we hoop on the side of the road during the trip to stretch and wake up- Best idea so far.  We keep a running list of ideas and road lessons. Actually, we keep many lists: To do, to blog, to add in blog, to upload, to map out, to visit, to learn, to call, to post to craigslist, to manifest, to consider, to forget, not to forget and to list.

We spent most of our time in Chicago hanging out in the apartment.  The concrete and crowds could potentially become overwhelming, and we decided to avoid the burnout. We did, however, entertain ourselves driving through the city blasting Blockhead and Django Django one night- our Chicago soundtrack.  It was only 60 or so degrees, uncharacteristically warm for mid-October.  ChiTowners are exceptionally laid back.  There’s still of course the hurry of urban life- shiny clerks check you out with lightening speed, joggers race themselves to nowhere and the L looks like a rollercoaster.  But the pedestrians just sort of saunter about, some grouping on corners in lighthearted discussion, others slowing to join, smiling.  “Is it just us, or is everyone dressed in black and grey?”  Veronika’s observation began our inventory of color and we concluded, Chicago is devoid of it, but in a mellow cloudy day way, not a depressing eternal winter way, which is how I assumed this place would be.

 In our search for the Chakra Shoppe, we instead stumbled upon Chubby wieners, Pockets, Bowmans, Manheim, and the navy pier. At the sight of the ferris wheel we desperately tried to find our way in, but five miles later we realized it is impossible to get back on rte 1.  From anywhere. So, instead of attempting to submerge in local food culture, of which there is much in Chicago, we ate at taco bell, regretting it almost immediately.  During one stop, the wall of the car was vibrating, at first I thought "phone?"  But no, too loud.  Vibrator! One of us, I will not mention which, had a stowaway which turned itself on and tried to join the party. Hilarity ensued, but he didn't get any action. Sorry, Lucky!

I enjoy driving in the city. Especially here. I was honked at only once and deservedly so as I wasn’t paying attention the second the light turned green. Other than that traffic is polite, relaxed with a nice flow, drivers allow others to merge in an orderly fashion.  I witnessed a young man in an eclipse come careening through a red light, stopping just in time before smashing the minivan directly in front of us, and wave profusely apologetic.  Childlike I followed beneath the “L” as far the road would allow.  Veronika drove back to the apartment, getting confused by the lack of lines in the road and last moment choices, parallel parking became her moment of reckoning in the Windy City, but after 4 or so tries I took over. You can’t take the Florida out of a girl, but the Boston in me got us parked.

We Reiki tag teamed Jeremy, having measured his chakras and finding his heart not spinning up to par. I gave him an attunement and almost passed out, learning why we never attune laying on the floor. Roommate Kyle, the “I missed you so much while I was gone!” roommate received some spinal healing from me, after I finished some eye Reiki on Veronika, suffering from dehydration and caffeine withdrawl.  Road lesson #3: hydrate hydrate hydrate. We resist drinking on the road to avoid many additional pee stops but the consequences include headaches, dry skin and looking generally strung out

I would like to take a (nother) moment to (again) digress.  There are many types of friends in the world, the ones you call when you are sad, those you prefer to share happiness with, one you wouldn’t make a decision without being advised by, someone who tells you like it is not how you like it.  Then there’s the true-blue-I’d-do-anything-for-you friend.  When I discovered wiggling legs sticking out of my buttcheek I hollered for Veronika’s nursing skills.  She pulled a tick out of my ass that I have no recollection of picking up.  That is true friendship.

We hauled out of town ready to get back to the cabin and button things up, prepare for the next trips to come: Florida, Georgia and then... the World!