Chi Town.

Even though Ann Arbor had overjoyed me, I still had 24 hours left in Detroit following my wonderful beer pong night. Doing my best to keep my spirits up, I counted down the minutes until we boarded yet another plane flying to yet another destination. Fatigued and mentally drained, I slept the whole 45-minute flight to awake to a new world. Chicago has been part of our tour itinerary every year since I have been dancing with ABT but it has never really grown on me. Perhaps it’s the egotistical New Yorker in me, but until this trip I have never felt the need to do much other than trudge back and forth from the theater each day.

All of that changed when I awoke in my king size bed Monday morning to Spring-like weather and an open mind. Frantically getting dressed, I wondered what the day held in store and hoped that I would discover a Chicago that was far away from the chain stores of Michigan Avenue and the heavy buildings downtown. All of those cereal commercials that claim to be part of a “healthy balanced breakfast” don’t know anything because I found that all you need is at The Original Pancake House here in Chicago. Pairing stimulating conversation with perfectly cooked eggs, pancakes and bacon, Gillian, David, Jackie and I started the day as every day should be started.

It was a welcome relief to walk out of a door and feel comfortable roaming the streets again after a week of guarding myself and briskly walking to the theater in Detroit. Leisurely strolls and money seemed to be the theme of the day as we wandered from store to store leaving a Hansel and Gretel-like trail of money wherever we went. Perhaps it was my newfound freedom or just spring fever but I needed a little retail therapy. It’s amazing what buying things can do for your mindset. Of course half of the fun is discovering things with your best friends and what would an exploratory day be without a few exciting stories to recount?

(To shoe? Or not to shoe?)

Where do I even begin with Jake? Jake, Jake, Jake, everywhere we walked on Monday we couldn’t seem to escape the shadow of the wonderful men’s boutique whose bags David and I had slung from our shoulders. Yet it wasn’t what was in the bag but how it got in there that was the exciting part. While I don’t think I would have the talent or patience to work retail, I am completely in awe of people who are incredible salesmen. Jared at Jake was perhaps the best salesman I have ever experienced. From the minute we walked in, Jackie, David and I spotted this gorgeous man standing at the back of the store who quickly approached us to ask if we needed any help. Stunned into silence for a minute, I had to quickly blink myself back into reality before I could nervously reply that I was just looking. As attentive as a doting mother, but as hot as Jude Law, of course he had to be genuinely nice as well. Slipping into basically anything he handed our way, I was so flustered by the end that I attempted to put my right shoe on my left foot before foolishly realizing my mistake. As I handed over my credit card I couldn’t quite believe that I was about to plunk down that much money for a pair of shorts but there was just no way I could decline the chance to stand at a counter staring at him for a minute longer. Our trail of money quickly turned to a trail of drool as conversation seemed to come back to him every couple of minutes. He was just too smart; working the boys, working the girls, no one could tell who he was into. Like the best salesman, he put on a good act. A few hours later I got a phone call from Blaine and Misty who quickly asked if I had been into Jake. Apparently they had met Jared as well!

Maybe it’s just the whole “grass is always greener” theory but I always find that men’s shopping out of the city presents better boutiques than in the city. On top of the wonderful clothes we were finding I was amazed and how nice every single person was. One store even opened their doors for us when they saw us lamenting the sign that read “closed” at the front door. Everyone seemed to take a general interest in interacting with their customers and the mix of gorgeous weather and wonderful people was making this day one to remember.

I’m not usually one to endorse gimmicks but when done right they prove difficult to resist. This was exactly the case when we walked into “T-Shirt Deli,” a delightful store where you create your own T-Shirt with anything you want written on it. Now, this may sound just like any other store you have seen in your mall but it’s all in the details that they hook you. Friendly service lines the walls of this store set up to look like an actual deli with all of the choices set up in deli cases. Finally, a chance for a little self-expression! Being the t-shirt whore that I am, I couldn’t help but want to make a whole wardrobe for myself but instead I decided on one adorned with a quote from Shortbus that David and I have been joking about, “Like this…Boom.” Not the most exciting thing to others but I found it to be enjoyable. The ladies were kind enough to let me take a few pictures of their store for the blog and they even made us their first “Customer of the Month.” I’ve never felt so honored to be a consumer. As much as I like my shirt, Daniel’s is even better “No One Cares About Anna…Spank the Media,” a perfect compliment to my last blog.

(Posing with our shirts so we can be customers of the month.)

Jackie had the wonderful idea that we should start writing guide books for all of the different places we visit and as the day continued I couldn’t help but agree; just about every detail was shaping up to be perfect. Even before the incredible dinner at Avec, I felt overjoyed to finally be having a relaxing day in the middle of the tour insanity. Dinner began and I felt as if I had died and gone to heaven. Wonderful wine paired with stingray, dates, cod, spinach pasta and more wonderful company; it’s moments like this where I cherish the opportunities I have at this stage in my life. Touring the country doing what I love and enjoying it with the people I love, what could be better? Only a few hours remained in our perfect day before Shakespeare would take over our lives once and for all. How will we survive?!

(Sassy green bottles with sassy green people.)

Comments

[Tania]

it IS amazing what buying things can do for your mindset! I'm glad other people have noticed that...