I spent my last night in Chicago bar hopping around Wrigleyville.
With seven guys.
Me and seven guys. Seven guys from Portland, Chicago, Canada, England, and Australia. Guys with accents and dance moves and hilarious stories and the type of manners where they offer you their arm while walking down the street, because it’s the “English thing to do.”
Yeah, me and seven of those guys.
That’s the good part of the story. The bad part of the story is that I didn’t take a single picture.
I know. I know. Go shank myself.
Don’t worry, in light of the Giant Camera Fail of 2009, I have since adopted a new mantra: “If you’re going to be an awesome nomad who goes out in a 1:7 girl to guy ratio, REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR FUCKING CAMERA.” Say aloud each morning. Repeat as necessary.
So yes, Chicago was delightful. Lively without being overwhelming. Exciting, warm, and full of friends and inexpensive fun. No, I didn’t have pizza. Because New York pizza is my shit and I don’t want to know from anything else. Yes, I’m stubborn. No, I don’t want you to explain to me why you think deep dish pizza is better. Because you’re wrong.
Other revelations from this week:
1. Staying at a hostel is the easiest way to meet interesting people.
2. If staying at a hostel, particularly in an 8 person room, invest in some ear plugs.
3. Even if you think the shoes you packed are wildly comfortable and broken in, bring Band Aids.
4. Traveling for an indefinite period of time is the best decision I’ve ever made.
Even better than that time I picked Jason over Chris in March of 6th grade.
Yes, that good. Only rivaled, perhaps, by the equally exciting fact that I recently added 12 more items to my Life List, and that one of the new things is “Get photographed naked for TimeOut NY’s Naked New Yorker Photo Shoot.”
Mom: I’m sorry in advance.
Girls: If I get chosen, I’m pretty sure I’ll have some say in how it’s done, stylistically. Which means I’ll need help in the form of wildly creative suggestions.
Boys: You’re welcome.
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
We are SO making that Time Out NY naked issue happen. Maybe you could be in a luggage compartment of a plane – OOOH or the conveyer belt that your suitcases come out of ? I am so full of ideas haha.
Just know that while I'm writing stupid response papers to some horribly mundane articles, I will be living vicariously through you.
So I expect more pictures in the future.
No more excuses.
I think you need to invest in some pepper spray and perhaps some martial arts lessons, because this shit makes me nervous holmes. I love you.
That sounds like the Long Island of fun!
I totally meant the Long Island of men. Oops.
I am loving these nomadic stories (and the Twitter updates from the train lol). Aren't hostels the shit? I had such a good time when we stayed in one. Can't wait for you to find some more men and get naked… in whatever combination it happens in.
Great seeing you in Chicago! And I definitely agree that hostels always make for interesting adventures – especially when you're traveling alone
"Boys, you're welcome."
I'M OBSESSED WITH YOU.
Also, deep dish pizza sucks and I live in Chicago. You're not missing out.
Love the new additions to the list! Careful with getting drunk on a bus though…I've had some less than stellar experiences
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You're talking about being all naked and stuff and all I can think about now is pizza.
I guess I'm not gay.
But I AM a pig.
I spent the past five days galavanting around Western Australia with seven attractive Aussie men and I didn't take a single picture either… I'm absolutely gutted! Oh well, more reason to do it again.
I hear you w/ the pizza – I spent a week and a half in Chicago during August and never had pizza.
And on a side note – I've stayed in hostels all over Europe, but I didn't even know we had any here in the States!
I'm so fucking proud of you I'm absolutely BURSTING.
Love you.
NYC pizza > Chi pizza, hands fucking down. I had that stuff last time i was there and it was like a friggen casserole or something. gross.
also, i love you and i'm proud of you. being naked in Time Out NY? way to reach for the stars.
i love it.
Traveling is the best. I totally agree.
You're living the dream!!!
Glad I can live vicariously through you.
Oh, and deep dish is way better than NY style. Sorry. We'll just have to agree to disagree.
SO jealous of your shenanigans! I would never turn my back on NY pizza.
Question! I just started reading your blog so sorry if this is answered… how did you save money to do this traveling?
Lacey's comment about the suitcase may take some contortion, so I don't know about that, but the idea is fabulous. Maybe you holding a globe and nothing else? "Its a small world afterall?"
Oooh I love internationals and their accents! Jess is right, you are definitely living the dream. Add me to the list of people living vicariously through you.
I think I picked up last year's issue…it's quite modest actually. They don't show any of your REALLY naughty bits, not that that would make your parents feel any better. I am also a bit disheartened that you shortened life list #93. The original version was so inspiring that I did it myself and added three more crossings to it. The new abridged(ha ha) version lacks the original's grand and ambitious vision, but it is your life list and you are allowed to change it. It's just that now it's something anyone could do. I had secretly hoped I would be your tour guide and be a part of it but I guess I have a new dozen to pick from now. I'm crossing my fingers that you would re-consider the omitted spans.
i can't wait to just up and travel, oh next year you look so sweet, haha.
but really love that you partied with so many random people/guys. and yes bring your camera woman! we need to live vicariously through you!!
I love that you are on this adventure! Yayyayyay for you!
Fuck deep dish pizza.
P.S. You and I need to have a long conversation about life soon.
Whoever says deep dish pizza is better than NY pizza can suck it.
Sorry, I take things as crucial as this to heart.
I'm a New Yorker, what can ya do?
I am envious and then some!
No camera? Jeez. You must be a rookie. My camera and I are attached permanently.
Ugh EAR PLUGS! Why didn't I think of that!!! I'm just after spending 2 nights in a hostel in London with THIS BITCH WHO SNORED LIKE A WOLF! I'm so tired! Ear plugs! Why didn't I think of that!!!
Hostels are the best thing ever!
This is my first time reading your blog, and I have to say I LOVE it! You had me at "NY pizza is my shit". I'm a NYer at heart, but I live in Boston, and I don't care what anyone says. I am a total pizza snob and the best pizza comes from NY. End. of. story.
Looking forward to catching up on your blog!
thank you.