Spring hasn’t started yet and I’m already thinking about Summer. I am looking forward to making new memories and replace old ones.
Music and Concerts
I planned on buying pre-sale tickets for Rascal Flatts with Darius Rucker and Vince Gil but $90.oo for a concert ticket? I think I’ll pass. I know it’ll be a great time but I know I can use that money in other places. There are so many music festivals in Chicago and Milwaukee that I’d feel foolish to drop money on one concert. I can spend the $180.00 ( plus Ticketmaster fees) on seeing smaller under appreciated musicians that haven’t made it big yet. Next week I’m going to see Skinny at McGee’s. No cover. I only have to pay for beer. If I want to attend a live country music, I can always attend the Chicago Country Music Festival for free in early October.
Travel
When I’m not in summer school, I will be traveling out of the area. Airfare is very inexpensive because of our economy and the price of fuel. A lot of hotels and restaurants are offering deals to fill their rooms but I’m trying to keep costs down. Hostels are a great choice to save money. I still plan on sleeping on couches and floors to save some money on my trips.
I haven’t seen my Aunt L in a long time. I promised her and myself that I’ll spend a long weekend in New York City. Hopefully, my aunt will have a floor or couch that I sleep on. I have a pad and a sleeping bag. I’m all set. I’ll show my gratitude for the floor by taking them out to dinner.
Erin inspired me to look into traveling to Arizona. Again, it’s been years since I’ve seen the Grand Canyon. I’d love to go hiking with Erin and her friends so I can see Havasupai. Havasupai is an indian reservation at the southern end of the Grand Canyon and is arguably one of the most beautiful parts of the area. What better way to enjoy a summer than hiking and relaxing under magnificent waterfalls? Maybe I can do an extended roadtrip out west to visit Sofie and my Uncle V in Cali. Hmmm… It should be a cheap trip. It’s about $100 each way on Southweat Airlines. I just have to pay for an entrance fee into the canyons and camping.
The annual trip to North Manitou Island at Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore is still on. R0wdy and I will be spending a few extra days there. It’s one of my favorite places in the midwest, beautiful beaches, solitude, and good company. Sadly, P-Rod won’t be joining us. He has to go to some wedding. I hope he drinks for Matthew and I. The cost for this trip is gas and camping permit.
I expect to travel locally too. Each weekend, it will feel like I am traveling internationally. There are many cultures and nationalities with distinct communities in the Chicago area. In Rogers Park, there is an Indo-Pak community along Devon Avenue. They brought with them to the United States their food, culture, cinema, and music. There are a few African restaurants down Broadway. Little Korea runs down a strip of Lawrence Ave. The heart of the Mexican community on the lower West Side is the community of Pilsen. Next door is Chinatown and to the southeast is Chicago’s Great “Black Metropolis,” Bronzeville. There are many more groups that adds to the flavor of Chicago. All it will cost me is a commuter train ticket and parking.
I expect this to be a great summer. This is just a sampling of what I plan on doing this summer. There are many opportunities in a bad economy. I’m propping up the economy and finding great deals on tickets and other travel expenses. Plus, I’m finding a lot of free things to do this summer. Above all else, I’ll be living live well and doing what I want to do with my life.
