Lilac Colored Glasses

I got on the bike today of my own volition and rode, not just to the student area where my class will be, but also to the City Centre. Ok, well, I tried riding to the Centre but I crossed the river early to avoid this bridge I don’t like and turned onto the wrong street; I realized it pretty quickly though so I managed to keep myself in the general Centre vicinity, albeit mostly on foot, shlepping the bike (a.k.a. Throne Of Massacred Butt) along with me until I spotted one of the three towers, headed toward it and found a place where I was familiar. I tried to hit the ATM per CB’s request but there was no English option (apparently at some banks there is, but not the one I picked) so I fumbled around, looked sort of confused, then gave up and headed off to meet CB for lunch. That’s where I am now, sitting along the canal behind Gent’s cannon, waiting for my illustrious Belgian.

I think the plan tonight is to go to a spa in town. I’m not usually a huge fan of spas but I wouldn’t mind being steam cleaned today. I was on my own in a strange city (I won’t even go into down town Pittsburgh by myself) and got lost and found my way without any help. That’s a pretty big deal for me. So while I am feeling sort of proud and a little bit more confident, every muscle in my body has been through some degree of HWFO (that’s computer slang for “hand waving freak outtery”, for those of you who don’t know the jargon) and I could totally dig a trip to a spa.