On a bus somewhere between Philadelphia, PA and Dover, PA: With two days off in between a show
up north and another one a little further
east, we decided to spend the time off in Philadelphia. However, without any real ties to the city (like the
one before), I had no big plans or checklists of places to see.... except one.
But it was a little far away.
Two Buttons Imports is a store in Frenchtown, NJ full of import items from around the world, such as
Buddhas from Bali and sculptures from
Sulawesi. Sure, I could probably get something similar at
World Market, but these are all allegedly authentic and they have a whole huge warehouse full of stuff and they serve wine when you visit....
As I've
mentioned, I really loved
Eat, Pray, Love. The book, that is. And ever since I've read the book, I've wanted to go to the store and really see the happy ending in person. But since I've seen the movie, my desire has gone down a bit. When I read the book, I WAS Liz Gilbert. I HAD the heart wrenching, crying on the bathroom floor, thinking-about-ex's-while-trying-to-meditate moments. But when I saw the movie... there was just no way I could really relate to Julia Roberts. Suddenly, it's a Hollywood film now. Even if it was "based on a true story," once you put that familiar face in her place, it's really just Julia-only doing the eating and the praying and the loving.
But I am here, with a day off, and only a mere 57 miles away. Granted, I'd have to rent a car and fight Philly traffic (and I left my stinking prescription sunglasses in my car at home...) and make sure I'm back in time for bus call, but shouldn't I go? I mean, WWEGD (what would Elizabeth Gilbert do)? She traveled the world to find herself again. She explored new places and took risks and didn't let fear (or deadlines or work schedules or bus calls) stop her from doing anything!
I had this conflict in my mind before I went to bed last night. However, the answer was very clear to me when the slit of sunlight ready to pour into my hotel room between the shades I didn't realize weren't closed all the way woke me up.
WWCSD? (let's hope you can figure that out.)
She would burrow herself more deeply into the fort she had created with her pillows. She would wait until 10am to check her email. She would stroll the Philly streets to the nearest Starbucks and get a little something to wake her up. She would do some work on her computer, but make sure she had a few moments of zen in between each project. She would not feel guilty for not going to the store she had talked about going to for forever. She would take care of herself.
To be honest, I think THAT is what Elizabeth Gilbert would do.
