The Big City

Just got back from 5 days in Chicago, to take my boards, but mostly to take a vacation. It was my first real foray into public transportation (World Youth Day in Toronto didn't really count, because there were 60 of us and it was free with registration, so we were just herded around and tried to always be with an adult) and except for one brief episode of wandering Saturday night, we successfully navigated the El, the buses, and even hailed our first taxi. Laura and Hilary, plus one. Although, I have to say, getting back into my own car, on familiar roads, without the incessant honking and hundreds of pedestrians was a welcome change.



Cubs fans are awesome. We went to the game on Saturday and got to experience the whole of Wrigley Field, Chicago dogs, and Cubs mania. I told Hilary that I never even stood up and cheered that much at a Rockies game. It must be infectious. And with thousands of people sticking around after the game to sing "Go Cubs go-o-o", how can it not be? As we tried to take a self-portrait of us with the field behind us, we had multiple people grab the camera and offer to take the picture for us. And all afternoon/evening/night, people saw our Cubs gear and stopped us on the street: "Cubs win?" "Go Cubs" and the occasional instigating "Go Sox." Even at Mass, during the sign of peace, Hilary got a "God bless you. Go Cubs." On our way out of the stadium, we passed Mullen's Bar and went in to see if they had t-shirts. Not only did they, but the bartender bought Hilary a beer as she pointed out her last name on the credit card. Hooray.

We got to see a heck of a lot of Chicago. Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, Millenium Park, Buckingham Fountain, Soldier Field, Hyde Park, Lake Michigan, the River Walk. Danced to one of the saxophone players on the street, hit up a White Castle, and one of the dozens of Baskin Robbins for late night ice cream, chatted with cops and bus drivers and random people on the street, and got to watch Abby Wambach score two goals against the Red Stars.

I maintain the fact that I don't think I could live in Chicago, what with the commuting and the amount of people, but it's a great place to visit.