You ride around in a coach and four...

Celia is in town for some librarian conferences, so this Saturday I jumped on the train and headed into the city for the day.

I am not as comfortable navigating public transportation if I am alone and without Rick Steves in my bag. (I really need to just right a whole post dedicated to Rick and why I love him.)

Anyway I decided just to take cabs around the city. The cab ride to the zoo was fine, but the cab ride back to the train station in the evening did not go as planned. First of all, I discovered that there are two Metra stations a few blocks apart. Since I only come in and out one station I was blissfully unaware of the second station until I was dropped off there.

And then as I was wandering around in a panic, a man comes up and asks where I'm headed. Not in a creepy way, but in a way that said, "I'll direct you, but then I expect a tip." I didn't care because there was no way I was calm enough to find my station in the dark, so he starts leading across a few blocks. While we are walking, I'm digging around in my purse for $2 to give him. He leads me to the station and I hand him a tip. It isn't until later I realize I handed him an $11 tip instead of a $2. Awesome.

And then on the train ride home, I sit facing a man who is listening to his iPod. Every once in awhile he would look at me and sing out loud and his lyrics went something like this:

"I have to go to church in the morning,
I need to go home and wash my hair
Girl you so sexy"

I was very grateful that I had a good book to read.