Downtown: Take It In

Downtown, it's where you want to be. In the past four days I've had the opportunity to head into downtown Minneapolis, an experience that I always enjoy. The UofM campus is wonderful, but there's something about being submerged 500+ foot tall buildings that can't be beat at times. Every time I drive my car down here in the Cities and the Minneapolis skyline comes into view I always say one thing, "take it in." And believe me, I say it literally each time it comes into view for the first time (some of my peers now remind if I do not say it right away, a nice little tradition). The wonderful thing is that all three of my visits to the urban jungle were a very different experience. The first day was a spur of the moment trip where I walked the Stone Arch Bridge, and then went shopping. I had never been on the bridge before, but crossing the Mississippi on it was impressive. The best part of the trek had to be getting halfway across, and then turning to see the skyline in full view, "take it in." The following day, my visit to the hustle and bustle was an abbreviated one. I rushed into downtown to drop off an important letter at the Wells Fargo Building. I had also never been in one of the major buildings downtown. My destination was the 55th floor of the tower, the top floor. The elevator to this floor listed the following numbers first "1 & 43". My ears popped on the straight shot up to the 43 floor and beyond. Once at the top I delivered my envelope, but had to pause for a moment to look out the window. Before my eyes were the rooftops of some of the tallest buildings in Minnesota, a sight not too many people really get to see. "Take it in."

So I covered leisure and business the first two days, so my last trip into downtown meant that it was time for a little play. The Nicollet Mall area is littered with shops, restaurants, and little activities to partake in. I got a window seat in The Local, Irish Pub and began to take things in. It was about 9:00 o'clock when I arrived, so the businessmen and women of the world were out celebrating the weekend a little early. Beyond my delicious dessert, which let me tell you was fabulous, I was able to view what make Minneapolis so great, its diversity. There were people of all ethnicities, appearances, and what have you. "Take it in." Three days, three totally different experiences, but three equally significant experiences. The next time you drive by don't forget to "take it in."