Normally, right now you’d be reading Afrobella of the Week. This week is a bit different. I don’t have an Afrobella of the Week, because I just got back from Chicago last night. No, my arms aren’t tired. But my feet are KILLING me!
Some of you might remember my shoe post, in which I admitted that my feet are Fred Flintstone flat. So I never torture them with heels, I always, always wear flats. But if your flats are too tight, you haven’t done yourself any favors. On Friday, I wore sneakers all day — but they were these adorable turquoise and lime Pony sneaks that are breathable and light, but just a smidge tight. (What can I say? I got them at Ross for a steal). We walked ALL over the city, through the Taste of Chicago (which was amazing, and not as horribly crowded as you’d expect. I had pomegranate barbecue chicken, which was delicious), down to Lakeshore, and over to the Shedd Aquarium.
If you haven’t yet been to the Shedd, and you’re into cool ocean life, you are really missing out. The place is huge, and there’s so much to see there! It gets a bit overwhelming. But the green sea turtle in the Caribbean Reef tank, the leafy sea dragon, and this colorful chameleon were among the coolest creatures I’ve ever seen. It was a great experience. But not for my feet. I really started to lag behind at the Shedd, and then after when we walked my mom-in-law back to the train station. But the trip wasn’t half over yet, there were many more bars to drink at, more restaurants to visit, and a Sox game on Saturday to attend. So more walking.
By the time I got on the plane yesterday, I could hardly get a shoe on my right foot. It ached, and was super swollen. By the time we got home last night, it looked like a Nerf football. I was seriously freaking out. But just taking the time to kick back (literally, and keep the foot elevated), and then soaking it in ice water (which initially hurt like hell, but totally helped over time), made a big difference. And now I’m back in Miami, where hardly anyone walks anywhere.
We went to Chicago for a really, really good friend’s surprise birthday weekend, and we kicked off Thursday night by going to Wrigley Field to see The Police. Let me tell you — forget the critics. I’d read reviews that said the band wasn’t in their best form, Sting’s voice didn’t sound as great as it used to… nonsense. At first Sting didn’t go for many high notes, but by mid-show, when they did “Can’t Stand Losing You,” he sounded practically perfect. And they put on an incredible show that included all of the big hits you’d expect, and a few rarities that you might not expect (Truth Hits Everybody, and one of my faves, When The World is Running Down (You Make The Best of What’s Still Around). WOW, check out how young and fine Sting is in that last video. He’s aged like wine, seriously).
Tomorrow will be back to a regular week in Afrobella, and I’m way behind on product reviews, summertime beauty stuff, and Ask Afrobella questions. So stay tuned! For now, here’s my favorite video by The Police. I believe the video for Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic was filmed in Barbados. It shows the band at their goofy, fun loving peak. And they killed this at Wrigley Field! Loves it. Happy Monday, bellas and fellas!
Hey Bella!
Nice post! I love the Police so much as well and have also had the pleasure of experiencing “the Taste” and Shedd Aquarium. Glad you had a tip. Also, I think the Police video was shot in Montserrat in Sir George Martin’s studio there.
Hey Bella!
Nice post! I love the Police so much as well and have also had the pleasure of experiencing “the Taste” and Shedd Aquarium. Glad you had a enjoyable trip. Also, I think the Police video was shot in Montserrat in Sir George Martin’s studio there.
So you went to my hometown (well one of my hometowns) AND you saw a cool sea turtle? It’s time for me to plan another weekend trip. 🙂 Swole feet aside, sounds like you had a great time. Could you possibly do another shoe post??
Great post. I’m so insanley jealous though. When the World is Running Down is my absolutly my most favorite Polcie song.
Hey Bella,
Glad you had a good time in Chicago. I was a the Police show too. Such big sound from only three guys.
Peajai, another shoe post is definitely in order! Especially now with my aching dogs, I’ve learned a bit more about the art of choosing the right flats if you’re flat-footed. And those insoles didn’t cut it for me as a pedestrian.
Leah — you’re probably right, they did record that album there, right? I love seeing them rock out island style.
Jennifer — I love that song too. The only song I wish they’d done (in retrospect, I left the show more than satisfied) was Canary in a Coalmine.
I’m glad you had a wonderful trip.
You know afrobella I work at Zappos (online shoe store) and we have plenty of shoes that go the distance when it comes to standing and walking for long periods of time. Now granted these shoes are not the cutest but they are theraputic. So the next time you go out to walk for long periods, I recommend you look into a few brands. You may want to try Crocs, Earth, New Balance. Let me know if you have more questions. 🙂
I went to the Taste of Chicago on it’s first day on 6/29–Frankie Beverley & Maze where the musical guests. I have visited Chicago many times and my dogs always hurt at the end of each day I’m there because I find I do so much walking around–the downtown area is so walkable and there is lots to see & do. I haven’t made it to the Shedd aquarium yet, but I have gone to the Field Museum and it is one of my faves. I am also a Police fan and young Sting was off the meter fine–elder Sting ain’t that bad either, but he was absolutely beautiful in his youth. I can probably sing almost every Police/Sting song out there.
Amijane! Are you kidding? I LOVE Zappos! I’m kind of addicted, sadly. I’ll check out walking shoes for my next shoe post. But I don’t know about those Crocs…not my style. =)
Hi Bella! I’m glad I’m not the only one that’s into ocean life and aquariums. I recently went to the aquarium in Tampa, and the sea dragon was one of my favorites too! Great post!
OMG! I was in Chitown for the Taste of Chicago too! I need to blog about my trip but (of course) Blogger is acting like a donkey right now. Sounds like you had a fab time. I didn’t make it to the Shedd this trip but I went to go see The Color Purple while I was there. I totally heart Chi. I would move there were it not for the 8-month long winter.
just a tip – if you have flat feet you should add inserts to your flats for arch support, or wear shoes with a small heel – i was having foot pain years ago (wore flats all the time) and i went to see an orthopedist who 1) diagnosed me with extremely flat feet after seeing an xray of my foot and 2) told me that the worst thing i can do for this condition is to wear flats all the time. flats rarely have good arch support built in, so it ends up just exaggerating your flat feet and causing arch and heel pain. so, i still wear my flats, cause i love em, but i do wear inserts.
Hey Afrobella!
I’m glad to hear that you stopped by my town and had fun. The Afro-Carribean fest in Washington Park was also a blast, I’m sure you would’ve loved it. If you are around on labor day stop by the Jazz fest and the African festival of the arts. The summertime festivals and free events help Chicagoans make it through the 8 month winter! (;
Afrobella-
Canary in a Coalmine is definately in my top 10 fav Polce songs. Zenyatta Mondatta is my fav Police album. Can ya tell? LOL
Glad you had a good time Bella! I want to visit Chicago myself. I may take my daughter there on a mini vacation before the summer is out, you gave me some great ideas for activities to do while we are there.
Hi Bella,
First off, I love your site. I have not visited in a while due to a busy lifestyle however I am back on the block now. I am so thrilled that you gave a shout out to my city. I was born and raised in Chicago. I guess when you live her and see the city every day you forget about its beauty however I have to say we have so much to offer right at your finger tips. I love love love NYC and have thought of moving there however each time I visit NYC, I find myself missing my lovely chi-town. Im glad your feet are better as well. I feel like that when I come back to my hotel room while in NYC so I completely feel you. Have a most wonderful week! Peace!
Bella! Glad you had such a good time in my hometown. Chi is the TRUTH! Even though I reside in LA now, I still get back there all the time. So mad I couldn’t make it back for the 4th. If it wasn’t for the weather, everyone would wanna live there.
Now for AmiJane…OMG, you work for Zappos!? Gyrl, love that site, it’s one of my absolute favorites…
Awww…Chicago is easily the top 2 cities to visit. I have tons of relatives, and I always get good vibes everytime I go. I’ve experienced stifling heatwaves, and a couple of post-snow storms over the years. More than anything experiencing real seasons was worth the visits. If it wasn’t for the crazy heat of the mid-West, I would love to live there. For now, I’m stuck at home in SF with mostly foggy days.
If you are into The Police, I highly recommend checking them out, even if it’s just for nostalgia sake. There is no way they will do this again. I saw them last month in Oakland. I was estatic when they performed Voices Inside My Head, When the World is Running Down, and Spirits In the Material World. Now if the set list included Darkness, that would have been the cherry on top. That’s my song.
I was born and raised in Chicago, so I know you had a great time bella! I have been away from the Chi for too long, and I am planning on moving back next year. I’m gonna be at the Taste in 08! LOL
Next time you’ll in town I hope we can meet for lunch. I’ll show you all the best beauty supply stores and point out where the clerance racks are:)
The Taste was CRAZY crowed when I went. Did you go to the Burt’s Bees thing?
i’m glad to hear that you had a great time in my home town, contrary to the comments from other bloggers on this site, we dont have an eight month winter season, its more like 5-6 months max.lol 🙂