If, today you had a long day working in the State Archive, all the while wondering why (oh why) archives always have the world’s most uncomfortable and unergonomic chairs, you realized that you had no plan whatsoever for after 4pm when all good state offices close. So you looked up the Pyramid Alehouse that your teammate recommended and realized it was on your way “home” for the evening, so you decided to go and discovered while you were sitting on the patio watching the trains go by that the apricot ale really is as good as they said it was. Then you had a tasty meal and still had hours to go before it was dark so you decided to take the long way home to see what adventures might be in store.
So it’s really no surprise that a young boy holding a sign saying “Urban Farm Stand” caught your eye. And when you walked that way you discovered two tables with some fresh-picked organic produce and a charming community garden. So you bought some fresh berries for breakfast tomorrow and then noticed a woman with a massage chair set up nearby.
So if this is you, your entire body started wanting a massage right at that very moment, and when you walked over you were swept off you feet when she told you that the massages were complimentary because she was trying to find new clients. Oh my. The best 15 minutes of the day as all that stress melted right off your shoulders.
And as you walked the remaining blocks home and then sat on the large verandah of this historic home where you’re staying (in the 3rd-story attic room–so romantic and with a staircase to rival that of the Pilgrim Inn at Canterbury), you realize that life just goes better when you open yourself up to taking the long way home. And also…you’ve fallen in love with yet one more city (a city with light rail that I will plan to take somewhere tomorrow–another adventure to be had!)