I’m staying in a very large city. The air bnb apartment looks like cohousing.  With a little networking and intentionality, it could be. I heard a lot of talking in the courtyard last night. Sounded later like an actual party on the rooftop. My adult son said that always happens in big cities. He lives in one and loves it.

Me and the younger boys are not impressed. I left a big city when I graduated from high school and have spent the rest of my life trying to avoid them. I think the only ones I like are Paris and Jerusalem.  Of course, the cost is difficult. This does remind me of visiting Paris, thinking it’d be more fun with money. However as a 20 something me and the other world travelers did alright.  Here, we are renting an air bnb and for some reason, they don’t have any furniture!  I’m not sure if they can’t afford it, or worse, people steal it. The later is my son’s theory. Could be since they claim there is a can opener but I don’t see it. What type of person steals furniture on vacation?  To be honest, I have thought of “borrowing” the couch or seat by the elevator – just for the trip and then return it.  

Air mattresses are painful. I expected them so I brought a futon but these hard wood floors are hard. I didn’t expect no chairs.  I’m too old for the bean bag ones.  My back is dying trying to sleep on the floor, once removed, and then zoom all day for work. I think we will give up – spend more on a hotel.  

I also get to see first hand these food deserts I’ve heard of.  I tried to get groceries last night and it was sad the few choices there were. I did find a real grocery store today but the lack of can opener or pots or pans make it hard to cook and use what I thought would be a benefit of an in city apartment.

I obviously am not signing up for an urban cohousing any time but it looks like with a bit of effort, you can create community in a place like this.  But I don’t want to live in a world where people steal furniture!