Michigan is very strange

23.07.2009

I'm running out of gas again, so I pull off in what looks like the middle of nowhere, incidentally, it's right outside of Kalamazoo. A place called Galesburg, Michigan. This place is just.... falling apart. That's the best way to describe it.

I start to think I won't find any gas anywhere, when I find an old, dilapidated Marathon. The lady inside says that I can't use her washroom, but I'm free to use the washroom in the laundromat across the street.

"Not even if I buy something in the store?"

"Nope, sorry."

"Ohhhhkay."

Off I go into the abandoned laundromat, afraid that someone will lock me in there while I'm peeing.

Anywho, I need to call Suzanne to let her know that I definitely won't be getting into Chicago before midnight, so don't bother waiting up for me. I head over to the Hardings grocery store and ask to use the phone. The lady in the store is angry when I say I need to dial a 1-800 number to use my calling card.

"You can go out on the street!"

"Sheesh, sorry I asked"

I find the payphone on the street, and call Suzanne. I tell her where I am.

"Suzanne! I'm not going to be in until late tonight! I think I'm in Indiana or something!"

She'll be out with friends anyway, so it's totally not a problem if I arrive late at night.

A couple of funny old people are sitting on the bench beside the pay phone. Presumably waiting for a bus that doesn't appear like it's going to come.

"Where am I right now?"

"You're in Galesburg, Michigan, where you off to?"

"Michigan, oh no, it's worse than I thought. Do you know how far Chicago is from here?"

"Just down the I-94, you're almost there. About two hours from Kalamazoo."

Alright, this won't be so bad after all.

Me vs. Hardings