Chicago solo

Having led a life of very little adventure I have to take it where I can get it. In 1992 or 1993 I took my first business trip to a convention in San Francisco. I was blessed with a fatherly publisher who both insisted on my going and also insisted I take off early in the afternoons to explore the city. Having someone along for company wasn't an option so I studied the street maps and spent my afternoons walking and riding to Fisherman's Wharf, the beach and other scenic parts of the City by the Bay. Since that time I've never been afraid to do anything alone -- travel, see movies, hike trails, whatever. I don't travel alone often anymore but I'm usually OK with it when I must.

In two weeks I'll be going alone to Chicago for a 3-day conference. I'm treating myself to a performance of Wicked since I'm a Gregory Maguire fan and read the book some years ago. Makes perfect sense, right? Truth is, I almost didn't book the ticket. A small part of me is nervous about traveling alone and shy about going to the theater alone. Maybe it's because the last time I was in Chicago I was quite, quite lost and it was late and dark. And I didn't have exact change for the train. And people are strange when you're a stranger. And small parts of me still feel young and insecure. And lonely.

But forge ahead I must. I would hate myself for missing the opportunity of either the conference or the performance. Oddly, in a week or so I'll be sending A to do the same thing -- travel alone to Chicago, make her way to Michigan Ave and the Spanish Consulate to turn in her visa application. It's a day trip -- up in the morning and back at night.

She's afraid too but she's learning, as I have, not to let it show.