Visiting the Twin Cities - May 2023

I’m trying to see as much of America as I can. The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul have always been on my bucket list, so I jumped on the chance to attend the International Downtown Association’s conference there and learn about the city from my kind of people, BID folk! They took me on walking tours and shared drinks on rooftops where we talked shop. Luckily I roped in a colleague/friend to extend the trip, so we would have time to dig a little deeper. Naturally we visited Prince’s home Paisley Park, ate a Juicy Lucy, walked beside one of the 10,000 lakes, explored their varied arts scene, strolled the skyways, were wowed by the mighty Mississippi, dove into the Somali and Hmong cultures and visited George Floyd Square to wrestle with that piece of history. All in all, it was a full and satisfying trip. The United States are varied and it’s always interesting to scratch a little deeper.

Click HERE if you want to see more photos from my trip.

Reflecting at George Floyd Square, Minneapolis

 

When I was in Minneapolis, I felt like I needed to take a thoughtful visit to George Floyd Square. It felt weird because it’s not a museum, it’s a place people live their daily lives, and yet, it’s now a place where a very important, disturbing piece of history took place that has become an active memorial. Plus I mean, after all, I was there for a BID conference that focused on the City and this event was under the surface and yet not mentioned very much. Also I am an experiential learner, so I went…

While I was there multiple locals came up to talk to me to explain their perspective on the place or to tell me what wasn’t being done to improve people’s lives or the behavior of the police and also to tell me to be careful and not get hustled. The interactions were hard to process on their own. I left wondering what good could come out of this or if being put in the spotlight would actually really disturb most of these people’s lives. I can’t really explain what I mean, but I feel like I needed to share more of the complexities vs just posting pictures.

In addition, on a larger level, I feel like there has been so much tumultuous stuff going on over the last few years and that we all keep moving on instead of fixing things. We put on our blinders instead of getting together and attempting to make important hard change. It makes me feel a little hopeless.

Visiting Mary Tyler Moore

Hello Mary Tyler Moore!

I seem to be making it! Thanks for leading the way.

Who can turn the world on with her smile?
Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile?
Well it's you girl, and you should know it
With each glance and every little movement you show it

Love is all around, no need to waste it
You can have the town, why don't you take it
You're gonna make it after all
You're gonna make it after all

How will you make it on your own?
This world is awfully big, girl this time you're all alone
But it's time you started living
It's time you let someone else do some giving

Love is all around, no need to waste it
You can have the town, why don't you take it
You're gonna make it after all
You're gonna make it after all