Journeys 3.1

It’s the classic snowbird’s lament: a cluster of medical appointments for us both immediately after returning to winter. Walked over to the U for labs, then headed to nearby Kinzō for some tonkotsu udon. Lab results trickled in as I slurped my comfort food.

On our Sunday walk, with temperatures climbing into the high fifties, yesterday’s snowy, monochromatic landscape had found some color. Here at Gold Medal Park the grass and trees are still a few weeks away from fully greening up.

Walked over to the farmers market on a fresh overnight dusting of snow, a reminder that winter isn’t finished and that local produce would be scarce. I carried home crusty bread straight from the baker, along with bacon sausages and lamb from a local farm for “Sausage Saturday” and a Sunday root vegetable braise.

Took the opportunity while Dwight was seeing a friend to grab a spicy lunch at a nearby Thai restaurant. A “Private Property” sign on the door explicitly forbids immigration enforcement on the premises. The City of Minneapolis estimates that since December, ICE agents have caused well over $100 million in economic damage to city businesses and workers afraid to go to work, while straining city resources.

Walked over to Open Book for a cuppa. The folks at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts had been busy at the letterpress; a “please take one” sign sat beside a now-nonexistent pile of protest posters. It reminded me of our recent travels: whenever people asked where we were from, “Minneapolis, Minnesota” always drew a warm, informed response. “The US,” less so.

Arrived LAX early this morning off a flight from New Zealand. Skipped the in-flight breakfast, made up for that at LAX with avocado toasts and champagne. It was a good trip.

Now at Auckland Airport where I made a point of stopping by this LEGO model of Auckland Airport. Completed this year to mark the airport’s 60th anniversary, it showcases the original 1966 airport (not shown here) alongside this 2029 vision, when a new domestic terminal will be integrated with the international terminal.