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Rejoice - Cermak Rd and Canalport
Manage episode 198797010 series 1438111
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A lot is happening on the streets surrounding my destination. A beautiful mural brightens up the exterior wall of a small warehouse as two men tend to a community garden. Next to the street, trolley train tracks end abruptly at the building I am about to enter.
A train car has been permanently parked in the parking lot. It looks like it could be a small breakfast-and-coffee spot, but I can’t tell. There’s an electric generator line running into it, so something cool is happening in there.
My destination is unique building, on a unique intersection, in a unique section of the city. It is a large four-story polygon structure, formed by a diagonal street, which makes the building appear larger. Its brick exterior is suddenly interrupted on one side by another building covered in black-and-white sketch illustrations.
I walk into the single door entrance, into a dimly lit loft like space. Murals and artistic illustrations line the exposed brick walls of the main staircase. A few neon signs shine patiently from the interior windows of a closed craft brewery bar.
For the first time in my journey, I almost got lost trying to get to the auditorium. However, there were people positioned at each landing of the main staircase to greet and guide visitors to the auditorium entrance.
“We’re huggers here.”
The young lady standing at the entrance of the auditorium told me as I approached. True to her word, I was greeted with a friendly hug and cheerful welcome. In fact, I was greeted by at least a dozen people as I waited in my seat for the event to begin.
I was reminded that making strangers feel welcome in an unfamiliar space is both an art and a science. It requires strategic forethought and planning, yet can only be executed by humans who chose to engage others in a life-affirming and respectful manner. When a group of people do it well, the effect is powerful. I was glad I found my way here this morning.
The journey continues in the Pilsen neighborhood on the near southwest side, at the corner of Cermak Road and Canalport.
Intro Theme Music: Victory Lap by QSTN ft. Mecca:83
Background Music: www.bensound.com/
Pick up your copy of the companion book at https://godinchicago.com/
Join the conversation! Follow us on Twitter: https://bit.ly/2Y94abI and on Instagram: https://bit.ly/2z6q5W4
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A train car has been permanently parked in the parking lot. It looks like it could be a small breakfast-and-coffee spot, but I can’t tell. There’s an electric generator line running into it, so something cool is happening in there.
My destination is unique building, on a unique intersection, in a unique section of the city. It is a large four-story polygon structure, formed by a diagonal street, which makes the building appear larger. Its brick exterior is suddenly interrupted on one side by another building covered in black-and-white sketch illustrations.
I walk into the single door entrance, into a dimly lit loft like space. Murals and artistic illustrations line the exposed brick walls of the main staircase. A few neon signs shine patiently from the interior windows of a closed craft brewery bar.
For the first time in my journey, I almost got lost trying to get to the auditorium. However, there were people positioned at each landing of the main staircase to greet and guide visitors to the auditorium entrance.
“We’re huggers here.”
The young lady standing at the entrance of the auditorium told me as I approached. True to her word, I was greeted with a friendly hug and cheerful welcome. In fact, I was greeted by at least a dozen people as I waited in my seat for the event to begin.
I was reminded that making strangers feel welcome in an unfamiliar space is both an art and a science. It requires strategic forethought and planning, yet can only be executed by humans who chose to engage others in a life-affirming and respectful manner. When a group of people do it well, the effect is powerful. I was glad I found my way here this morning.
The journey continues in the Pilsen neighborhood on the near southwest side, at the corner of Cermak Road and Canalport.
Intro Theme Music: Victory Lap by QSTN ft. Mecca:83
Background Music: www.bensound.com/
Pick up your copy of the companion book at https://godinchicago.com/
Join the conversation! Follow us on Twitter: https://bit.ly/2Y94abI and on Instagram: https://bit.ly/2z6q5W4
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