Bunbury, Bourbon, and Hooker Baths.
"Don't touch ANYTHING. Is that a hole in the door? Are those dishes still in the sink? It feels damp. What's that smell? Oh look - a TWIN bed and a twin futon ish sorta thing."
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This past weekend I attended the Bunbury music festival in Cincinnati, Ohio. There are varying levels of accommodations when traveling: Best, Better, Good, Dicey, Scary as fuck. We landed somewhere between the latter two. But it was one night and we would only be sleeping there - it would be fine - or at least we repeated this over and over to ourselves until we sort of believed it/figured we'd drink enough to assume it.
I was attending day 1 of the 3 day festival. The headliner was the Black Keys with supporting bands being Matt & Kim, Walk the Moon, Royal Blood, Father John Misty, The Bleachers and Tame Impala. There are new owners of the festival and they still have some kinks to work out - ie: we waited an hour just to get into the festival. It was hot and we were thirsty so we sprinted to the beer tent - there's water in beer right? After another 30 minute wait we learned it was cash only. I asked a worker where the ATM was, "it's over there but it's out of money", "that's funny", "no I'm serious", "you're seriously fucking with me?", "nope, no money, but I'll buy you a drink". Well played worker man. We eventually found the ATM, the food trucks, and all of the craft beer tents. I did try and buy water at 3 separate places, but was told "we're out". A festival that runs out of water and money? As I said, kinks.
But sitting on the green grass, beer in hand, sun on my back, watching all of the talented performers it was hard to imagine being anywhere else. About 45 minutes before the Black Keys show the sky started changing. By the time we made it to the other side of the park the light water droplets had become a torrential downpour. People ran for cover, some stood under trees - what's the point?. I decided running towards the front of an empty stage seemed like the best idea. I sat there staring at the Ohio River, with Kentucky on the other side of it, as the rain beat down around me. I felt my perfectly styled hair becoming wet noodles stuck to my face, my soaking wet jacket now rendered useless, but I had zero desire to move. I was mesmerized by the rhythm of the rain, the light show in the sky. In a festival of 60,000 people I felt solitary and euphoric. I once read that some people dance in the rain, others just get wet - perhaps this is what they meant.
As the Black Keys performed and my feet sunk into the muddy ground like quick sand I couldn't stop smiling. I don't like making every occurrence in my life a metaphor, but these days it just comes effortlessly. When it all gets taken away - the nice hair, the pretty dress, the pedicure, the fancy sandals - it's easier to focus.
Upon arriving back at our house for the night I took a good ol' fashioned hooker bath - wash feet in sink, use face wipe to wipe entire body. Then I put my shoes in the dish rack (with existing dishes) to dry, put my extra shirt on my pillow to sleep, and let my feet hang off the futon that I'm pretty sure was meant for a child 6 and under. The next morning I braved the shower, but not the towels, I used napkins.
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"What are we doing today?", "Umm, going to Kentucky?". I made it my mission when I moved here never to really learn much about the area or surrounding states, god forbid I act like I live here, but it turns out Kentucky is right next door and Lousiville is only 1 1/2 hours from Cincinnati. We each brought an extra shirt but not an extra pair of underwear - "meh, it's fine - we'll buy new ones - LET'S GO!". We cranked up the music and road tripped it down to the home of the Kentucky Derby. It's a beautiful drive - lots of hills and vibrant green trees. We arrived at Churchill Downs ready to have a mint julep and see some horse racing. We didn't know it at the time but it was the day of the Belmont Stakes and the chance at a triple crown winner, one of those cool fate things. We paid the $3 admission and got our drinks. It was surreal being in a place that's housed the Derby for 141 years.
Afterwards we decided to embark on a food and drink tour of Louisville, turns out it's quite similar to Austin, which means I loved it. There was the old gas station turned bar/restaurant - complete with outdoor ping pong tables on old car parts, the beer garden that I would love to mimic my own backyard after - if I had one, the converted house turned restaurant known for their heavy pours and great cocktail pairings. Our hotel for the night was more dicey, less scary as fuck, but at least I felt safe using the towels.
On the drive back as I looked at the passing by scenery I started thinking about the joys of simple things and easygoing places. Most of my travels these days revolve around major cities or international destinations. Due to time constraints I rarely road trip, plus I lived in a state for 7 years that I could drive 10 hours and still be in the same state so airplanes were far more appealing. However, this weekend reminded me that there are some hidden gems in America's heartland. I may never again find myself in Cincinnati or Louisville, but I'm happy that for a brief moment in time I got to occupy their space. They offered up beautiful skylines, charming restaurants, great food, a history lesson (the railroad), and plenty of kind hearted individuals.
I won't live here forever, but I want to enjoy as much as I can, while I can. I often find people are in such a hurry to get to their destination they miss what's along the way, myself included. But some of my happiest moments have been the most unexpected....
Soaking wet standing in mud watching one of my favorite bands play. Having a mint julep at the home of the Kentucky Derby on the day of the first triple crown winner in 37 years. Never getting that extra pair of underwear. That falls somewhere between better and best.
I love life's random adventures. The moments that make me let go. The times that nothing goes as planned and it turns out better than I imagined.
Some people dance in the rain, other's just get wet.
---------------------------------
This past weekend I attended the Bunbury music festival in Cincinnati, Ohio. There are varying levels of accommodations when traveling: Best, Better, Good, Dicey, Scary as fuck. We landed somewhere between the latter two. But it was one night and we would only be sleeping there - it would be fine - or at least we repeated this over and over to ourselves until we sort of believed it/figured we'd drink enough to assume it.
I was attending day 1 of the 3 day festival. The headliner was the Black Keys with supporting bands being Matt & Kim, Walk the Moon, Royal Blood, Father John Misty, The Bleachers and Tame Impala. There are new owners of the festival and they still have some kinks to work out - ie: we waited an hour just to get into the festival. It was hot and we were thirsty so we sprinted to the beer tent - there's water in beer right? After another 30 minute wait we learned it was cash only. I asked a worker where the ATM was, "it's over there but it's out of money", "that's funny", "no I'm serious", "you're seriously fucking with me?", "nope, no money, but I'll buy you a drink". Well played worker man. We eventually found the ATM, the food trucks, and all of the craft beer tents. I did try and buy water at 3 separate places, but was told "we're out". A festival that runs out of water and money? As I said, kinks.
Upon arriving back at our house for the night I took a good ol' fashioned hooker bath - wash feet in sink, use face wipe to wipe entire body. Then I put my shoes in the dish rack (with existing dishes) to dry, put my extra shirt on my pillow to sleep, and let my feet hang off the futon that I'm pretty sure was meant for a child 6 and under. The next morning I braved the shower, but not the towels, I used napkins.
--------------------------
"What are we doing today?", "Umm, going to Kentucky?". I made it my mission when I moved here never to really learn much about the area or surrounding states, god forbid I act like I live here, but it turns out Kentucky is right next door and Lousiville is only 1 1/2 hours from Cincinnati. We each brought an extra shirt but not an extra pair of underwear - "meh, it's fine - we'll buy new ones - LET'S GO!". We cranked up the music and road tripped it down to the home of the Kentucky Derby. It's a beautiful drive - lots of hills and vibrant green trees. We arrived at Churchill Downs ready to have a mint julep and see some horse racing. We didn't know it at the time but it was the day of the Belmont Stakes and the chance at a triple crown winner, one of those cool fate things. We paid the $3 admission and got our drinks. It was surreal being in a place that's housed the Derby for 141 years.
Afterwards we decided to embark on a food and drink tour of Louisville, turns out it's quite similar to Austin, which means I loved it. There was the old gas station turned bar/restaurant - complete with outdoor ping pong tables on old car parts, the beer garden that I would love to mimic my own backyard after - if I had one, the converted house turned restaurant known for their heavy pours and great cocktail pairings. Our hotel for the night was more dicey, less scary as fuck, but at least I felt safe using the towels.
On the drive back as I looked at the passing by scenery I started thinking about the joys of simple things and easygoing places. Most of my travels these days revolve around major cities or international destinations. Due to time constraints I rarely road trip, plus I lived in a state for 7 years that I could drive 10 hours and still be in the same state so airplanes were far more appealing. However, this weekend reminded me that there are some hidden gems in America's heartland. I may never again find myself in Cincinnati or Louisville, but I'm happy that for a brief moment in time I got to occupy their space. They offered up beautiful skylines, charming restaurants, great food, a history lesson (the railroad), and plenty of kind hearted individuals.
I won't live here forever, but I want to enjoy as much as I can, while I can. I often find people are in such a hurry to get to their destination they miss what's along the way, myself included. But some of my happiest moments have been the most unexpected....
Soaking wet standing in mud watching one of my favorite bands play. Having a mint julep at the home of the Kentucky Derby on the day of the first triple crown winner in 37 years. Never getting that extra pair of underwear. That falls somewhere between better and best.
I love life's random adventures. The moments that make me let go. The times that nothing goes as planned and it turns out better than I imagined.
Some people dance in the rain, other's just get wet.