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This post covers Monday and Tuesday.
--- --- --- --- --- ---Previous Visits: I have been to Philly before, but that was more than a decade ago and so it's not even worth mentioning. Let's hope I find time for touristy stuff during this visit!
--- --- --- --- --- ---MONDAY Travel day! I was up early for breakfast and to finish "resetting" my airbnb to it's original state. There's no desk so I'd moved a few things kind of weirdly to create my own faux desk, haha. Uber came to get me right on time, and I had no trouble at the airport or with the first flight.
But our second flight was delayed significantly (about 3 hours.) We found out later that it was because our original plane had a cabin pressure issue(!) that was significant enough that the plane would need 24-48 hours in the shop(!!) I was disappointed with the delay, but oh my goodness, I'd rather be mildly disappointed and Arrive Alive!!
We finally got to Philly around 8:30, luggage at 9. I tried to get an Uber but they were a 10-15 minute wait so I went old-school and got an actual airport cab. $40 later I was at the hotel, checked in, and unpacking. I wish I could share which hotel but that will have to wait for when we've left town. I lucked out with a corner room, meaning I have a great view and nearly wrap-around windows!!
After unpacking I was up rather late making arrangements for my presentation at Delaware State University. Travel logistics, asking the host about what equipment is available, whether I need a parking pass, stuff like that. Oh, and we finally got info about the in-ear monitors that Disney will be providing for us!! I made sure to submit the form right away because EXCITING! My own in-ears are 10 years old, so these new ones will be an improvement no matter what. I'm very grateful for them!
By the way, forgot to share these pictures that Kizzi (my circus friend) took last week in Fayetteville.
Here I am in my office: the pit, that mysterious hole where music is produced at theatre shows.
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TUESDAYI was up earlier than usual, anxious to get my stinkin' groceries. But the stores here don't open until around 9am. First I hit hotel breakfast. It was "ok." I got some hot oatmeal and boiled eggs and coffee. Then since it seems like I don't have neighbors in the rooms next door yet, I ran through my masterclass (47 minutes.) Next, off to MOM's Market which is a smallish chain similar to Sprouts. They had lots of lovely things and I picked up about 1/2 of my typical groceries, then walked to Whole Paycheck for the rest.
Some newish items that I'll get to try this week:
Merzbacher's Sweet Potato Buns,
Mayana Spring Passion Mini Bar, and
Ivy City Pineapple Black Pepper Salmon Jerky! Not sure if I'll do a food review or not because the schedule here is SO intense that I may not have time.
Back at the hotel I put everything away and ate lunch, then bundled back up and walked to an H&M down the street, hopeful to find my very favoritest black dress pants. Nope! They had them in XL but not my size. Popped into a Ross Dress for Less and they had my favorite underwear so I did pick up a pack of those. Swung into Reading Terminal Market and immediately regretted it because they have SO MUCH that I want!! Whoopie pies and Belgian candies and Amish meats and farm eggs and...ugh! At some point this week I want to eat a meal in there.
(Stock image courtesy Matadornetwork.com)
Returned to the hotel and spent some time chilling out, as that had been significant walking. Forgot to mention that here in Philly I have already seen two Waymo vans! Supposedly they are not driverless just yet. I haven't been close enough to look.
(Stock image courtesy Phl17)
Around dinnertime I met some circus friends for dim sum! From left to right: Alan, who was sound crew on the circus; Rob, who was our manager on Ringling and is a Tour Manager with the redesigned show today; Alan's wife Jenna, who was a circus teacher; and me.
This was such a treat, not only seeing these peeps again but also eating dim sum because it's not really meant for solo diners so I never get to have it. We split two kinds of soup dumplings, scallion pancakes, a fried pork noodle dish, steamed veggie dumplings, and shrimp skewers. It wasn't the best I've had but it was reasonably good, especially those juicy dumplings, yum! We got caught up as best we could in this short time. To be honest I feel like there is so much to reconnect over that we could never cover it in one meal. Alan is on tour with a
popular Queen cover band and is currently on a break. His partner Jenna is still teaching though I thoughtlessly didn't think to ask where, and she is keeping herself busy when Alan is away on tour. Rob is of course managing the Ringling show and is extremely busy with that. It's possible-but-unlikely that I could attend a circus show on Monday depending on when the Temple masterclass is...I hope it happens, but won't hold my breath.
Too soon we had to part ways. But I was glad to get this time with my dear friends and circus colleagues.
Back at the hotel I had some tea to calm my nerves...(Trigger Warning for descriptions of anxiety, highlight white text to read:
Over the years I have found that pretty much ANY stressful situation can trigger my fight or flight. It is random. Sometimes the trigger is standing in front of a crowd giving a masterclass; sometimes it's meeting with friends to catch up; sometimes it's even grocery shopping. When it first started happening I would freak out, hyperventilate, and make things worse thinking that I was having some sort of medical episode. But over the years I've learned to recognize that my body is expressing intense anxiety and then trying all sorts of things to get me to leave the situation. And I have learned to ignore it. Tonight I was distracted for the entire evening by a thing my body was doing to try and force me to take the "flight" option. Even though it was distracting and painful I ignored it...and knew afterward that it had been anxiety because as soon as I got back to my hotel room I felt fine. A shower and hot cup of tea helped. And I didn't give in, and got to enjoy the time with my friends anyway. Take that, evolution!) (END)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Wednesday: Opening day here in Philly! The usual thing of getting into my trunk, setting up, etc etc before the evening show.
Thursday: Two shows so I have nothing else planned. I think that
Koz will be in the audience to listen, yeeeek! I want to do my best!
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