Return to the Motherland

I was born in Utah, and I lived in Salt Lake City for a few years as a tiny kid, but since then I have not been back much. I think the last time was when that movie Legacy came out and was showing at the new Visitor's Center on Temple Square. I'm sure a lot has changed since then, and it seems like its still changing. The city seems to be in a flurry of construction projects, which cheers me because its one sign that the economy must be doing okay, or at least its not dead. Another sign of an alive economy? A $4 pack of Raisinets at the airport, a $5 bottle of water, and a banana that costs $1.79 (compared with 25 cents on the streets of New York.) A cinnamon roll the size of both of my fists cost me only $1.79 here in downtown Salt Lake City. Mmmm.... cinnamon roll.... such a delicious breakfast! It's okay to indulge when you're on vacation. And even though I've come to Utah for a funeral, I feel like I'm on vacation. I'm having adventures, seeing sights, meeting up with family, and enjoying everything.

E and I left the city last night, meeting up after work to navigate together the journey to JFK. And, after all the horror stories, it was not that bad. In fact, very smooth sailing. It was a gorgeous day, and we ran into a friend on the AirTrain, she on her way to L.A. for a wedding. We all felt very Jet-Setter-ish. Flying is fun. On the airplane I read Vanity Fair, about Captain Sully and how he landed his airplane on the Hudson, and about Bernie Madoff. And I watched lots of TV (the end of American Idol, the top 100 one-hit-wonders of the 80s on VH1, and some silly supermodel show). And ate starbursts. And gave a missionary discussion of sorts to the girl sitting with me and E. She had never been to Salt Lake, was going to visit friends, none of them LDS, and she had a few questions for us. Good times.

At the Salt Lake Plaza, I complained about the lack of 24-hour airport shuttle, and they "upgraded" us to a suite on the 13th floor with a jacuzzi and a balcony with a door that doesn't open. Room 1313 to be exact. Good thing I'm not superstitious. The view is amazing! The mountains are so beautiful. Now E and I are going to let ourselves loose on this salty city and see what we can see. I'm already impressed that there was a guy singing and playing the guitar in the median strip of the road next to the hotel at 8 in the morning.

Hello, Utah.