Day 1 - The Run

“The quickest way to take the pulse of a town is in the asphalt arteries of its roads.”

Whenever I’m in a new city, I like to go for a run as soon as possible. I feel like it grounds me in the place and teaches me something new. I think I’ve learned alot about this town so far.

Minneapolis cares about aesthetics.
It is so apparent that art, design, and architecture are appreciated in this town. I will have another post on just this subject (probably many). In short, Minneapolis realizes that people that are surrounded by beauty and inspiration will work better and live happier lives. Whenever there is something to do, they don’t ask how they can do it cheaper, they ask how they can do it better. They invest in people with every brick they lay, and every poster they print.

People here are genuinely friendly.
On the street, a car will always slow down for you, and not in that San Francisco/Los Angeles “how-close-can-I-skid-to-the-pedestrian” kind of way. While it causes traffic to be unpredictable at times, and cross-walks appear to operate merely as suggestions, no on really seems to mind.

In the shops, not only were the sales-people cheerful, when I told them I was new to town they all went out of their way to make sure I knew where to go for everything I needed. While retail folks generally have at least an easily scratched veneer of civility, every single person I’ve met has been genuinely friendly and seemingly happy. I suspect its a combination of Midwestern hospitality and the universal enjoyment I see of the wonderful weather here so far.