Back to Chicago

Showing some support

Well as you all know I absolutely loved my first trip through Chicago last September however I was not expecting to be back there so quickly. So here is how it happened…..Debi

Debi.......At the airport

(my older sister for anyone who was not quite sure) was making a trip down to Brazil and was flying through Chicago. She thought "hey, my buddy Paul lives there I should visit him…...oh and maybe Julie can drive up to see me” Of course when she thought of me driving she thought the trip was maybe a few hours but it actually turned out to be 10. Although that did not deter me and I was going to make the drive anyways. That was a real lapse in judgement because there was really know way I was going to be able top make that drive after a 12 hour shift. So I changed my mind and booked a flight. That worked out very well. I got into the airport about 2 hours after Debi did and then we made our way to Paul’s place via train and taxi.

Debi’s first impression of Chicago (well it was my impression as well but not to the same degree)….COLD!!!! (Well that isn’t what she said but I need to keep this PG). In fact Debi completely lost her ability to think (it was quite funny) but no worries we managed to flag down a cab after negotiating our way from the train and made it to Paul’s with no problems.

After a quick nap (Paul was still at work so it gave us a chance to catch up on some sleep) we headed out for some pizza. On my first trip to Chicago mom and I must have walked past this place several times (it is right across the street from the Sears Tower) but never thought to check it out. I tell you we missed out because this pizza was goooood!!!! One piece each was all we needed. Anyone who knows me knows that I could go through my whole life and eat nothing but pizza (it really should be its own food group) but now I am totally spoiled and will never be able to find another piece of pizza quite as good.

Me with my Pizza...see how happy I am!!

Our next stop was at an amazing Blues club (well ok I took another quick nap and then we left). It was a place called Kingston Mines.

Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater

A lot of the greats have and will play there anytime they are in town.

Linsay Alexander, The L.A.B.B

It was very cool and had everything that a Blues club should have.

Debi, Paul and Me at the Club

Debi and I.....still at the Club

Of course we did a little dancing and a little drinking and had a great time. We then went home, finished off the pizza and climbed into bed by 5am (at least I was asleep by 5am not completely sure about Debi and Paul….they tried to watch a movie).

On Michigan Ave

The next day Paul treated us to breakfast (at 1pm by the way) and then we headed out to the Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue). We lasted about 3 blocks walking before we decided it was just too cold (-20 C) for that so we grabbed a cab instead and made our way to some shopping.

The IPOD vending machine in Macy's

Basically we would walk until we got too cold and then headed into a store.

Debi and Paul looking very cold on the street

Debi and Paul looking very warm in Starbucks

It was fun and Debi had to buy some Bears gear (of course the city was just covered with the stuff being that it was Super Bowl weekend and the beloved Chicago Bears were in the big game).

Da Bears

The best way to end a few hours out in the cold is of course with some food and drink so we headed to ESPN zone. We hung out in some recliners until we almost fell asleep. I am telling you it was the best place in the world to sit and watch 13 big screen TVs.

Some snacks and some big comfy chairs

There were so many screens and more sports than anyone person could watch at one time

Our trip home from ESPN zone was fun in itself. We caught a ride home with Jose and the Disco Cab of Chicago. If you are ever in Chicago and you see a PT cruiser with a disco ball in the back window flag it down and have some fun.

Paul’s biggest mission for the weekend was to show Deb and I the most American things that he could. We of course showed up in Chicago at the best time because what could be more American than the Super Bowl. Unfortunately Debi and I had to make our way to the airport before the end of the first quarter but we still got to hang out for a little while at Paul’s party. (We did get to see the end of the game at th airport as it was on every TV in the place but really by then the Bears were losing and we had lost interest). When we left the Bears were up so everyone was happy (that will be our lasting memory) but it is too bad that they were unable to hang on.

A big screen TV......

and a couch full of friends, all the makings of a good Super Bowl.....and we actually got to see the commercials

So that was trip #2 to Chicago…so much fun and a place that I will never get sick of visiting. Thanks again to Paul for putting Deb and I up for the weekend and showing us the sites.

What’s next? New York City of course!!!!

Julie