Just a small town kind of gal at heart

I spent the weekend in Chicago meeting up with a friend who will be shipped off to Iraq in a matter of days and then, who knows what? I imagine he may develop a particular fondness for the Middle East and at that point may take up permanent residence there. Its been known to happen. An American moves to another country, falls in love with its unique customs and way of life, moves there, leaves life in the states behind… You know the story. If not, rent Under the Tuscan Sun for a quick course in what happens when Americans travel elsewhere.

While in Chicago a reoccurring thought kept playing through my mind. How do people live here? Also, why do people live here? I mean, for me I would pack up my bags after spending one day in traffic in the city. I know there are alternative forms of transportation but have you been on them? Does anyone actually enjoy the grim and overcrowded nature of public transportation? Do I really need to be packed into a tiny train car wishing the person shoved next to me had remembered to put on deodorant? I know I’m being slightly dramatic but in my big city travels I’ve never found a public transportation system that appeals to me.

Also, I’ll admit it: I like the freedom that comes with driving. But even driving becomes a nuisance when one attempts to travel a total of 5 feet in a big city. I suppose that leaves the final alternative: walking. Yes, I can do walking given the right footwear. Just don’t expect me to walk from Wrigleyville to Navy Pier because that kind of distance is ludicrous.

I have friends and family who have adopted Chicago as their home and so life in the big city is doable (or so I’m told). I just love the comfort of going somewhere without working my way through a crowd or having to leave an extra 10 hours of time to get from location A to B. I love going to the big city for travel but the greatest feeling of all is the return to the comfort of home.

Key West, FL - July 2007

A few summers ago I borrowed my sister’s silver Acura while my own car was in a state of disrepair. Driving a new car is always exciting and as I looked about I couldn't help but notice her copy of Kenny Chesney’s When the Sun Goes Down. I don’t listen to country but for whatever reason decided my hearing needed testing. I turned on the CD, put on my shades, and began cruising to the sound. I found my mood improving within seconds. Also, I made the shocking discovery: each song told a story! Most of the stories had some kind of moral lesson in mind. Like, don’t walk out on your wife and kids. Or, another important lesson: some people change. I developed a soft spot for Kenny Chesney. How could I not? There is a particular song I like titled, Outta Here. These lyrics came to mind on my recent trip to Florida. The song goes a little like this:


There ain't no time like the present they say
Lets cruise all the way down A1A
Put the top down and catch a few rays
Baby we'll be outta here

Later in the closing lyrics:

Come on baby lets get outta here
Cruise down A1A
Go hang out in Key West for awhile

You see, on my trip we cruised all the way down the A1A. We also hung out in Key West for awhile. Just like the lyrics in the song! I was very excited to be living a Kenny Chesney song. I realize the “we” and “baby” in the song is referring to a romantic partner, which my trip did not involve (I was on a semi-family vacation, after all) but I’m willing to accept other interpretations. I’ve been known to call my sisters “baby.” At least, in the context: “Stop being a big baby.”

Once we reached Key West the scenery changed dramatically.


A mean city street.


Hemingway’s crib.


An annoying rooster that begged for his photo to be taken. I didn’t have the heart to say, “No.”

And, a tiny piece of heaven:


Ahhh… isn’t Key West grand? I’ll post more photos in the future.

Remembering previous family vacations

I’ll be in Florida next week. Unless, of course, I change my mind once I start imagining Florida weather in July. Or, if I start to contemplate what traveling with family will result in. Chaos? Hostility? Arguments over if we should stop at Starbucks for iced lattes or keep going? In my mind we have been traveling for hours, yet due to the constant heat it feels more like days… when suddenly a familiar mermaid logo looms ahead…

“Pull over!” I shout, overjoyed. “I need an iced latte!”

“No, we need to keep on going. We don’t have time for iced lattes. Save your money for souvenirs at Everglades National Park.”

“No, I need an iced latte…”

At this point the argument grows in intensity. I end up telling one of my sisters, “I can’t stand you!” My Mom steps in, trying to remedy the situation before it gets out of hand. In time everyone is shouting, “I hate you!” to the other. Perhaps hair is pulled? Perhaps someone storms out of the rental car and takes off for the ocean? Perhaps I storm out of the rental car and instead of heading for the ocean, seek out the nearest Starbucks?

I know this argument is entirely hypothetical but I don’t believe it is too extreme. I realize I should just keep calm, relax and push all worries aside. I can survive a few days with family in another state, even if the notion scares me more than the thought of falling into alligator infested waters.

I’m trying to plan out what I will need and what spots should be a “must visit.” We will be flying into Fort Lauderdale. I know Everglades National Park is already on the itinerary… right next to Starbucks.

Danger at every turn

A part of traveling is spontaneity. One might plan their vacation in full detail right down to a minute-by-minute itinerary but once the vacation is underway plans have a way of shifting. One might decide to take the road less traveled. Or, to simply throw out previous plans and spend the trip in the hotel room watching HBO instead of taking in the Louvre or the Loire Valley.

This last April I visited my sister, Sara, who currently lives in Florida. I made absolutely no plans in advance. It wasn’t until I reached Fort Lauderdale that I began to wonder, “Wait, where is Fort Lauderdale on a Florida map?” This is the answer to that question.

The main reason I didn’t do any planning is that I knew I was visiting Sara, the queen of travel. She would know where to go, what to do, what SPF level of sunscreen I should apply, if we should party in Miami with Gisele (something she has already done at a previous party), and if I should take the advice of our Dad who, when hearing of my trip, took the time to give me an extensive lecture on avoiding stingrays.

Oh, I listened to my Dad’s detailed warning, patiently thinking, This man is crazy, this man is nuts, because, Why not? He loves me. And maybe he seriously believes his daughter is in danger of being stung by a stingray.

I remember going to Yellowstone National Park at 19 years old and calling home to check in with my parents. When my Dad got on the phone all he could talk about was the danger of Grizzly Bears. He was probably certain his carefree daughter would go traipsing through the woods and end up trying to cuddle a Grizzly cub. After all, have you seen how cute bear cubs are? There is a reason why teddybears are so popular.

Although I listened to his stingray lecture I sort of found the whole thing amusing, rather than informative. While on the trip Sara and I spent some time on the beach in Fort Myers. Imagine my surprise when I discovered my Dad had contacted the city prior to my visit, urging them to post this sign:



Okay, so maybe he didn’t contact the city and maybe the sign was already in existence prior to my visit. Maybe stingrays do hang out on Florida beaches, waiting for unsuspecting tourists who don’t have fathers to warn them of disaster. When I look at this photo now all I can do is smile. It reminds me that even when I believe I am being spontaneous, the voice of Dad will be with me.

Trip to Teavana

While in Florida I stopped in at the tea store, Teavana. A summary of Teavana is as follows:

"The Teavana dream began with an idea that people could enjoy tea in a place that was part Tea Bar, Part Tea Emporium... Then in 1997 we opened our first teahouse in Atlanta, Georgia. The name Teavana was created to mean "a heaven of tea"; this meant to describe the experience each customer has with our tea, and our staff. And so as our company grows, the fairy tale of East meets West continues enriching the lives of our customers by encouraging a healthy, alternative lifestyle." - from Teavana's official site

I tried samples from the tea bar, while browsing all the teas and tea-related merchandise. Here are a few photos from Teavana:


In this photo you can see the tea bar in action.


Pretty flowering tea on display.


I like these whimsical ceramic mugs.

The store I visited is located in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Now I just wish one would open in Michigan...

Last minute travel questions

Do I bring my laptop with me to Florida or do I leave it behind? With the laptop I can complete the following tasks: surf the web while at the airport, update my blog on the go, check my email... There is always the chance of emergency in which case the laptop may be helpful. However, my laptop is quite heavy and I enjoy traveling light. If I don't bring the laptop then I will be bringing more books to read. At this point I haven't made up my mind.

What would you do?

Update: I'm leaving my laptop. I will only be in Florida for a few days and so it would be silly to spend that time at a computer. Also, traveling light really does make all the difference in the world.