My girlfriend Chris and her daughter had a date to drive north to visit her sister and additional family and make Christmas cookies all day.
I took the opportunity to do something I don’t normally do: Go to the Mall of America. I wanted to walk a circuit of all 3 floors. Locals don’t go here. It’s just a mall, after all. And expensive. But I had not yet walked every floor all the way around.
It’s about 2.9 miles to walk all 3 floors according to my phone. I went in a few of the stores. My favorite was the Lindt chocolate store because you can make your own gift bag or box from their full selection of truffles. But I already got my Christmas chocolate shopping done at Aldi for a better price so no need.
There is the full size amusement park in the middle of the mall which is always surprising to see. To me, this gives the Mall of America the same absurd appeal that Las Vegas used to have for me.
It was a good walk and it wasn’t too crowded despite being the weekend.
I was surprised at the number of people there playing Pokemon Go with their mobile phones. I didn’t know people still did that. I saw at least 5 groups which is 5 more than I expected.
I also ultimately felt sad over the tremendous number of people sitting, standing, and walking just staring at their phones. I know, I haven’t been living under a rock. I know everyone is stuck on their phones. I’ve just not been out much in crowds to see it.