What a week! Time is flying by so fast- I couldn't believe it was time again to write another post about my previous week on tour!
After Denver, Colorado, it was time to head back to the Midwest, starting with Topeka, Kansas. I never realized that Colorado and Kansas are next- door neighbors, so it was a lot easier to drive to than I expected. It was still a long bus ride to get there- needless to say I was very happy to stretch out in a comfy bed in a quaint hotel!
Unfortunately, the weather in Topeka was miserable for my day off. I enjoyed sleeping in late (I will never, ever be a morning person. Sleeping in until at least 11:00 a.m. is the dream for me!) and spending the afternoon at the local mall. There wasn't a whole lot to do, but I did meet my soulmate at the local Petland- yes, I say that about basically every puppy, but how can I not?! I am a dedicated dog lover, and if there is a pet store in close proximity, you bet your bottom dollar I'm going to make a new friend there. I played with a puppy who looked very similar to my first dog- she was tiny and sweet, and I'll admit I got a little teary spending time with her. I miss having a dog like crazy, and I know that the touring life isn't ideal for having one. Someday, I tell myself all the time, someday! *Buys dog July 24th a.k.a. the first day off of tour* Just kidding. But maybe not. Only time will tell.
After having to part with my one love at Petland, I spent the most of the day at the hotel, and I got to check out my first real hot yoga class. As I've mentioned in previous posts, I really enjoy yoga, and it's a practice that I constantly find myself going in and out of. I get serious for a bit, and then drift away from it (another goal after tour- take yoga more regularly). However, I don't think I will ever, ever do hot yoga again. It was absolutely nothing against the studio, or the instructor- I'd have good things to say about both of them! I know I have trouble with keeping a clean, open mind, and not wandering from my practice- I feel like my mind is always going and turning it off can be difficult. Then throw in being in a 90+ degree room, surrounded by other sweaty, heaving bodies, and you're practicing so close together that you're practically on top of each other... no thank you. I was more focused on the sweat- mark shapes of the person in front of me than tuning into my practice. Yes, I know, I was not a good student that day. But I tried something new, which I guess is good, and I definitely got a good work out from it!
I only had one day of shows in Topeka, and it went as quickly as it came. Then it was off to Hoffman Estates, Illinois, a city about an hour outside of Chicago!
My first day off there was pretty uneventful- the weather was much sunnier, which I always enjoy, and I made some trips to Target and the local mall. As always, it's nice to have a more relaxing day, especially when the upcoming weekend is going to be busy!
We had five shows in Hoffman Estates, and I'd say it was a pretty fun show weekend for me. I even had a swing out (where I get to watch the show from the audience, while my understudy is in), which is one of my favorite things to do to refresh my brain. Of course, I love nothing more than performing onstage, but there is something so magical about watching your show from the audiences' perspective. I'm able to notice so many little details in the lighting and design, and see all of the comical interactions between the characters. Everyone knows their character inside and out, and being able to see the detailed choices they make is enjoyable and commendable to watch- like, I get to work with these people every day?! Seeing the show from another perspective gives my body the chance to rest a little bit (which is SUPER appreciated), but it also gives me a refreshed love for the show. I'm sure I've written about this in other posts, but there is absolutely, positively, nothing more heartwarming and rewarding than seeing the smiles on all of the faces from the audience. We had a group of special needs children/ adults attend our shows this past weekend, and one in particular was having the time of her life dancing along with us. She sang with pride, and danced like she didn't have a care in the world- THIS is why I do what I do. Sesame Street, and the theatre in general, has been seen by countless generations of children and their parents, and a smile or a laugh is universal. I am humbled by the fact that my job is to bring job to people of all ages, genders, races, mental abilities- it doesn't matter who you are, or where you are from. The messages of Sesame Street and the theatre can be understood in any language or movement. And seeing others experiencing as much joy as I do is something I am truly grateful to do every day.
The weekend ended up being pretty great, and it was about to get better- unlike the usual scehdule of traveling on Monday, I actually had the day off. I was going to spend it in Chicago! I've never been to the Windy City before, but just the fact that I was going to be in a big city again was enough for me. After stepping off of the train, I felt so much more at home in the city landscape- it wasn't New York, but I could draw many parallels between the two. For the day, I'd take what I could get!
First of all, I had to try some famous deep dish pizza, and Gino's was the place to go to. They really weren't lying at the depth of the pizza- it felt so odd to eat it with a fork and knife. There was no way that I could've folded it and ate it the New York way! I loved walking the busy streets, being able to cross at lights without totally needing to follow the directions (I don't wait for the lights. I go when it's clear and I MOVE), and in general, walking at a speedier pace. Don't get me wrong, it's been nice to visit the South, but one of my BIGGEST pet peeves is people who walk slow. My day in Chicago was a nice change of pace, quite literally! (Ba doom ching! Thank you, I'll be here all week.) I was able to check out the infamous Bean, shop along Millennium Mile, wander around the Navy Pier, and get some gorgeous skyline views. The weather was the only damper to the day- it rained on an off, which made being outside a little tricky. I wish I had more time to spend in Chicago, and I definitely hope to come back in the future!
As usual, the time came to move on, and this time it would be to much warmer weather- El Paso, Texas! I'm ready to spend a week in the scorching sunshine and pull out my summer clothes again!
Signing off from the Street,
Shelby
City #53- Topeka, Kansas
City #54- Hoffman Estates, Illinois
#shelbyseesthestates
My precious soulmate in Topeka!
That face!
A bundle of balloons- enjoying my swing out at intermission in Hoffman Estates!
Audience member for a day!
Chicago bound in my latest Disney Princess sneakers.
A view from the bridge.
Some authentic deep dish pizza- yum!
Embracing my inner Gene Kelly.
Outside the Art Institute of CHicago- the lions reminded me of the ones outside of the New York Public Library!
Another new friend.
A swanky part of town.
Surprise, I found a Disney Store. Bigger surprise, I got my picture in front of the castle.
The ferris wheel in the Navy Pier.
The skyline along the river- so pretty!
Enjoying the view.
I'd say this trip had BEAN pretty fun!
When will my reflection show who I am inside?
The Bean in the evening.
Having a good time even when it's down-pouring!
Spent the day with one of my best friends. I couldn't ask for a better travel buddy!
No comments:
Post a Comment