Cows 2.0

As we started off on the second half of our tour this morning, we feel like we have big hooves to fill. Alex, Becca and Meredith made the cows proud by getting lots of support for our campaign, and earning lots of great media coverage along the way. The first group of roadies shared their wisdom about arriving on time, leaving extra time for parking and how to be a cow, but some things you just have to learn for yourself. Today our drive was long, but we arrived in Iowa City right on time, and were greeted with a warm welcome when we arrived at the Red Avocado Café for our activist meet-up. Two supporters were already waiting for us, and a third joined us to talk about the campaign and how they could get involved. We ate some delicious food and our new friends left with lots of blank postcards in hand, eager to get help out on the campaign.

Next we headed downtown to the pedestrian mall to get people to call Senator Harkin and ask for better milk in schools. The weather in Iowa City was unseasonably cool - perfect for dressing up as a cow! We’d heard lots about the cow suits, and there was even a previous blog post, but it’s such a new and delightful experience it’s worth another mention. It’s the best of times, and the worst of times, but mostly the best of times.  Wearing a cow suit unlocks people’s inner child. People can’t stop themselves from seeing you and smiling, gravitating toward you and asking what you’re up to. Sarah was told she made someone’s day, and someone else laughed and said they’d never seen a cow with a purse before.

It also seems to be an open invitation for people to make funny, often bordering on inappropriate, comments. We won’t go into them here, but you can use your imagination.  At first a couple of us were a little hesitant to wear the suit, worried that people wouldn’t take us seriously. This doesn’t turn out to be the case. As one passerby in Chicago put it, “whatever you’re sellin’, I’m buyin!” Because really, who can say no to a cow asking for safer milk for children?