chicago

I spent a couple of days in Chicago last week. I had very little time to absorb the Chicago experience ... so (besides the all-day workshop) this is what I did:

I loved my hotel bed ... even the pillows were labled: hard and soft. Other than the power going out for 3 or 4 minutes, my hotel stay was lovely. The storm that knocked out the power put on a great show for me as I fell asleep.

I'm no dummy ... I ordered in Chicago-style pizza with my favorite topping - olives.

Just before the storm hit, this gorgeous cardinal flew into my window, then stood dazed on the power box below. We don't have cardinals in Vegas.

My main aim to experience Chicago as fully as possible in just a few hours was to down a real Chicago-Dog while in Chicago. This I did, despite the fact that I eat hardly any meat. And yes - I paid for it with stomach pains the next day. But I have to say, the combo of all those condiments: delish! Especially the surprise bite of a whole jalepeno that is strategically hidden below everything else.

My plane was delayed, so I found an empty terminal and took a seat. Directly in front of me was an empty row with this pair of shoes. Was this "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" or what? I wondered about the person without shoes and where she was flying to - hoping it's someplace nice like Mexico where barefeet will serve her well :)

CHICAGO: "Perhaps the most typically American place in America."

James Bryce 1888