We met on something west and Winnemac. I, the Airbnb virgin. He, the slightly older and more experienced. As I walked closer, I gazed upon his welcoming stoop, clean shaven and tidy to the proverbial “t.”

“Welcome home,” I thought to myself. I then reached forward and knocked on the large wooden door with my innocent, shaking, virgin hands. My heart raced, as most virgin hearts do! My mind was like a tardy CTA Route 81, darting through \rush hour traffic. I saw someone inside, lurking in the living room. He made lingering eye contact, with a warm smile that melted my cool virgin energy. The door whooshed open to reveal a roaring file and jovial smile, “Welcome to Chicago!” he blurted out.
My airbnb virginity is lost, I could not have picked better host to lose it with. Mat and Randy are more welcoming than Queen Elizabeth II, herself. If you keep up with current affairs, they have no need to mark the bowl of nuts, bad etiquette we say to Queen Elizabeth!

We had a great time getting to know each other over a beer or three (woops), but this is what life is all about. Shared moments, common respect, and appreciation are turn-key to their house. As a now prior airbnb virgin, let me leave you with a profound message. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Lao Tzu. Be a Honey Badger is cool, being a polite Honey Badger is Awesome.