Before reading this post, you need to read Dealers and Winos and Pimp - Oh My! to get up to speed. This is a part two from that post. Quick reminder: Kirsten and I got to Indianapolis for a funeral. Our van broke down as soon as we arrived in town. The 5 mile walk back to our hotel took us through a very questionable part of town. Once again, click here if you did not read my last post.
When we woke up yesterday morning, I decided we would stay at the hotel another night. That meant we did not have to check out and we could leave our stuff in the room. Being 6:30 in the morning, we made the trek back to the funeral home on foot. We knew it was not a good neighborhood, but we had survived the day before and theorized that most crack heads do not get up before noon. We expected the streets to be empty and we were correct.
We met the tow truck driver and soon our van was gone. Soon after people began to arrive for the visitation. I have been to literally hundreds of funerals, but this was one of the most difficult services I have ever sat through. The service was for the 19 year old son of some college friends. He was loved by many and there was a very large crowd.
Despite the mood and reason that we were there, it was great to get to see old friends. Other people from those college days showed up as well. Most of us hadn't seen each other in over 10 years. The day alternated between tears and laughter. It was a great reminder of how close we all used to be and how much I miss them. We parted promising that we will not wait another 10 years to get together.
We did hear from the mechanic that the problem with my van was the fuel pump. $603.22 This trip that wasn't supposed to cost me more then a few hundred dollars just jumped to almost $1,000.
This morning we are getting packed up and hoping that the van will be done in the morning as they said. Otherwise, we will be hauling all our stuff around the city until it is finished. We are hoping to only have to hop in a cab and go straight to the mechanic and be done with it. That will leave us a few hours to explore the city. I imagine we can take in more with a car than we did on foot for the last few days.
I know this post sounds a bit depressing, but the last few days have been great. It has a tragedy at its center, but we have had a few adventures, got to see old friends and have found a new area to visit when we have free days. Life should be back to normal next week.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
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I am so sorry for your friends and I pray that they will find comfort in the amount of love that was pored out at the visitation. I am so glad that the van made it there. As you know God sometimes dumps us where we need to be(trip to Mexico) Be safe coming home.
ReplyDeleteThank you. We had to hitch rides with some of these friends to get to the dinner afterward and visit with people. I am so glad we made the trip.
DeleteI expect to head back tonight.
As sad as funerals are, I have been to some joyous (if tearful) celebrations of life. It sounds like that's what this became.
ReplyDelete...and yes, you have a new place to visit! ;-)
That's exactly what it was and I am grateful we didn't miss it.
DeleteI know all sorts of places to go to for future trips here.
I'm so sorry about your loss, but with all bad things there's always something good. You got to reconnect with old friends and that's always something nice to remember when going through hard times. Have a safe trip home.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It was a good trip. I plan to come back soon and catch up under better circumstances.
DeleteGlad you made it through the hood in one piece! That sucks about the expense of having your car fixed though. If it were me in that situation, I highly doubt I would have the funds to cover the charges.
ReplyDeleteIf you are a high roller with tons of money, I would recommend dining where the pro athletes and celebrities do... St Elmo's in downtown Indy. Other than that, I can't think of any other places to visit while in Indy. Not that familiar with the city. The only time I go there is usually for Colts games. Of course there is always the zoo but not sure what it's like this time of year.
Normally, I wouldn't have the funds, but just happen to have it right now. It works out. That's not really what I wanted to do with the money, but i am grateful I had it. We are right next to a few museums and the zoo. There is plenty to do right here. We should have our van back in about an hour and are going to hit a few sites we wanted to see on the other side of town.
DeleteI'm happy there were good moments mixed in with the sad - and also that you sorted things out in such a way that you survived the walk.
ReplyDeleteI'm studying the sentence about having a new place to visit - is there a particular meaning in that?
Oh, yeah. Indianapolis is only 3 1/2 hours from my house, but I have never really spent any time here. We had a good time exploring the city and I look forward to returning to do it again...not just for the city.
Delete*grins*
DeleteJust looked at your photo page - the picture of Kirsten on the covered bridge is beautiful! Both pictures are nice - but especially love the one of her on the bridge.
DeleteThank you. i need to either remove that page or actually start using. I threw those first two pictures up there and never touched it again.
DeleteAw crap, sorry to hear that! I'm glad you are enjoying your time together though (even if on a sad and now stressful occasion)!
ReplyDeleteThank you. It was so wonderful to see everyone again.
DeleteDepressing indeed, but these things do happen, and you have to write about them. Sorry to hear about the funeral, and the wallet-punching collapse of your van. Here's to hoping that it gets finished by morning. And that was (quite oddly) always one of the best things I ever did on occasion when I lived in Chicago: walking through the bad 'hoods. Gives you a whole new perspective on life, and hopefully an evolved respect for it.
ReplyDeleteIt does give me a renewed respect for my upbringing and makes me thankful for the opportunities I have had. I did have a good week despite the setbacks and the circumstances for the trip.
DeleteAdventure awaits those who are keen
ReplyDeleteAnd so much more if you try to take a shortcut through some alleys
It is good to see you are seeing the silver lining mate, have a fun weekend and we will hear from you on the other side.
I used to take alleys despite the warnings not to. I finally hit a situation in an alley in San Juan that made me decide I needed to stay on main streets.
DeleteThank you. We are back home now, so our adventures will be local for a while.
I understand how you feel. A friend passed away two years ago. She was only 23 years old. There was, at least, 100 people at the funeral home. It was difficult to come to terms with what happened, and to let go of the anger that came with the knowledge that it could have been prevented. BUT, I can't say that it wasn't good to reconnect with old friends. Glad to know you're safe.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nellie. Funerals are good for bringing people back together. We need to put more effort into making it happen at other times.
DeleteWell, in the end, I am glad everything worked out after all for you. Thankfully, you had the money to cover that extra expense. I hate it when things like that happen, but unfortunately, they do.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I was great that I had the extra.
DeleteWe don't have a surplus of winos and pimps in P-Town, but I could probably rustle up a meth dealer when you're here.
ReplyDeleteThat could work. Any trip without at least one near death experience just isn't worth it.
DeleteSilver linings are always a great find. Glad you could see through the cloudy, morose air to find the positive.
ReplyDeleteIt was great and awful at the same time. I really miss those people.
DeleteAh yes, the all too familliar crying/laughing exchange that takes place at funerals. It's so bitter sweet. I am glad you at least go there! Sorry about the loss. :(
ReplyDeleteI am sure we can cook up a near death experience here in Nashville for you, just for your track record. Next year or whenever.
Devan
Thank you. We plan to all get together again soon.
DeleteOn every trip we always find ourselves in some kind of trouble. Do you have a gang problem there you would like me to tackle? I probably won't win, but it will make for a good story.
Brett you are always such a positive person, it's admirable.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I try to be. Life is only lived once. Might as well be happy.
Delete