Physical challenges
Nursing a couple goose eggs on my head and tender bruises on my elbows, hips, knees, tailbone, spine… I reflect on what I narrowly survived today. It began as simply a stroll through new territories–occasionally a few obstacles to slither through, crawl under, heave up. My petite guides nimbly raced ahead, calling back directions and discoveries: “I’ve found a way out of here!” Dumbly following, soon my heart was racing with exertion and, admittedly, nerves as I peered down a hundred feet from my suspended cage where I traversed slowly, slowly–on my back, knees, or belly–across the flimsy strands separating me from the distant ground. Sometimes it was very dark and my dangling feet had to search for a place to land, aided by a convenient tree branch or length of frayed rope. At other times, everything was bright and I could plainly see the skeletons of ghost planes and farm machinery, floating in the sky and disemboweled with steel cable tubings extending in all directions. Oh how many times did I trustingly plant my butt on a precipice only to be launched downward rapidly, watched by dragons, teradactyls and whales…. What a relief it was to finally take a break by the bonfire and roast marshmellows.
Some crazy African tourist trap? Spelunking? Chased by angry warthogs through the jungle? Nope. St. Louis City Museum with the nephews. Really an amazing place built with recycled materials in an old downtown warehouse. For you therapist folks, I’m talking SERIOUS motor planning heaven…or hell depending on your skills ; ). They are even open until 1am on Fridays for the adult crowd, which I think would be really fun! Anyone who visits me here beware! (insert evil chuckle)
SO, back in St. Louis–a two week transition time for billing, banking, packing, storage stacking, birthdays, paperwork delays, clean clothes and healing this runny nose. I will leave for Asia October 24th for the “3 month tour” to find out if I have what it takes to be a long-term traveler (with a little help from a hefty first aid kit and Kristin’s company for 5 weeks). : )
Looking forward to talking, emailing, and otherwise being in touch SOON! : )
P.S. New pics on Flickr!!
Tags: St. Louis, Transitions
bimpy_ak
Hi there Cindy! I love reading your blog. Your writing is really amazing, you’re quite talented. I’m a bit confused by this blog though, were you crawling around in the rafters on your own or something? Or was this the actual exhibit? 🙂
About your pictures, was the gorilla friendly?
I KNEW I shouldn’t follow Brock through the heating vent! ; )
You really should see this place during your next visit here, Charlotte–artfully bizarre.
As for the gorilla, I didn’t snuggle up close enough to find out how friendly he truly was/wasn’t, but my survival must mean he was in a good mood, at least that particular day!
Hope you’ve recovered well!