Madison

I returned home to La Crosse this week after spending time in Madison at a Feldenkrais workshop and National Summer Cello Institute - programs that Uri and Hagit Vardi created and held several summers now.  If any musicians are reading this, you should definitely check out the workshop in the future.  The Feldenkrais portion is open to all instruments and is so amazing, and the NSCI has famous guest teachers that come give lessons, masterclasses, and seminars.  There is a really unique environment and community created in two weeks; everyone always says it's unlike any other summer program they've been to.  And Madison is a really special place to be in the summer - so beautiful, with much to see, eat, drink and explore.  There is a website for the program, although it's super outdated right now...but I heard rumors that someone was going to be giving it a makeover in the coming year, and it should look like it belongs in the current decade(!) and give clear information.  Anyway, Madison was amazing, as always, and I'm missing it a bit.  It was really nice to absorb so much new information at the workshop by day, and spend time with the lake and friends by night.  But it's good to be at home, too :)

"Road Trip"

Well, I've moved - again!  This past week my cousin and I rented a car, left Worcester, and drove back to my homeland, where I'll be living for the spring and summer.  Unfortunately it couldn't have the classic road trip vibe, as we just needed to reach our destination as quickly as possible.  We went straight from Worcester to Chicago in one day, whew.  Here's a tip for long drives:  it turns out that they don't feel that bad if you leave practically in the middle of the night.  My alarm went off at 3:20 and we were on the road by 4 am, ha.  We made really good time to Chicago and were able to go for a long walk around the city to admire the buildings and parks (Trish has never been there) before dinner, beers, and much needed sleep.  We also made a quick stop in Madison on the second day for caffeine.  I wanted her to experience Bradbury's, one of my favorite coffee and breakfast places, and it turns out they are giving away free espresso all through April.  Really good, you should probably stop by if you're in the area.  She's staying for a short visit in the midwest, so I'm showing her some of my favorite places in La Crosse, unpacking, and starting to look for a job.  Wisconsin continues to be one of the best states ever, and I'm looking forward to enjoying this time here.  Hopefully some exploring will reveal new sides of my hometown :)  


ps:  The picture of us at the bottom is, of course, at the Chicago bean.

Bradbury's

Bradbury's is one of my favorite spots in Madison - a small little place in a triangular shaped room that serves outstanding coffee and crepes made with ingredients from local, organic farms.  The best cappuccino I've ever had was here, and as an example of their awesome food, that crepe above is stuffed with scrambled eggs, smoked trout, sea salt, sungold tomatoes, and goat cheese.  Yuuummmm.

Madison

Next quick stop on the way home was the beloved city of Madison!  I cheered as I crossed the state line, and felt nostalgic getting off the bus in the heart of the campus.  We spent the afternoon food carting, sitting by the lake, visiting the arboretum, which is such an awesome place, and then cooking dinner and watching a movie (a surprisingly good French film) at home.  The next morning we had breakfast at one of my favorite places (pictures to come), and tried out the new public bike system being implemented in Madison by riding down the lake shore path.  Ahh, I loved the 4 years I spent in Madison, and sometimes I daydream about just subletting a place to hang out there one summer.