*For the rest of my photos from the trip, click here. 

Chicago. Here’s what I heard: Great city, but don’t go between October and April. Eat deep dish.

Now that I’ve been, I don’t know why people don’t rave about this city! Stunning architecture, wide streets, great art, sweet people, spot-hitting comfort food, incredible shopping, and it’s not even expensive (compared to Boston prices). Like a non-claustrophobic, clean, friendly New York city—wouldn’t have thought that was even possible. Sleek urban chic, not grunge. 

Highlights:

• The Bean (or more correctly, Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate)—definitely one of those things you just have to see in the flesh, to experience its endless intrigue. 
• Shedd Aquarium might be the best aquarium I’ve ever been to—maybe I’ve been tricked by it’s cheap basic ticket price of $8 (score!!), or by the way it kicks the New England Aquarium’s behind, but hey, they’ve got Beluga whales: instant legendary status. 
• The Art Institute for its numerous Monets, Picassos and Dalis, my new favorite Van Gogh (pictured above), and for having a cool section dedicated to architecture and modern design. 
• The view from the John Hancock Tower. If you want the not-so-insider’s tip on where the best place to stand is, ask me (or my fellow travelers). 
• It’s a little far out, but Evanston’s a lovely town, and Northwestern beach is gorgeous. William and Will had a great time photographing themselves “eating” Chicago like a sub. 
• Don’t expect mind-blowing, tear-inducing cuisine—it’s not—just enjoy the local for what it is: fat-laden, guilt-inducing hunks of carbs. Yummy, yummy carbs. Deep dish pizza, Chicago style hot dog, Italian beef sandwiches, cheddar cheese and caramel popcorn. Guaranteed to motivate you to take that long jog the day after (I did). 
• The Miracle Mile—fabulous architecture and shop selection. And they seem to bring in a better, much wider range of goods than Boston does too, at lower prices. 
• Attending my first baseball game at Wrigley Field! The Cubs didn’t do too well this past season (sorry guys), so it was really easy to get tickets. I’m still not caught up on all the rules of baseball, but the ball game atmosphere really is easy to get into and enjoy. 
• Unwittingly stumbling into and being perhaps the only non-African-American patrons of hip-hop/club venue, The Shrine, down south. We were severely under-dressed, in our cargos/corduroys/jeans—people were so lushly decked out and having a great time. It helped that we were waived the cover charge and entry frisk… (friends, you really have to talk to me in-person about this one)

We spent a few afternoons and nights just wandering the city, admiring the buildings and bridges and fountains. It was such a marvel to me, the way all those structures could represent such an assortment of different styles from the past century and a half (I think?), and yet go so well together.

Oh! It was also very nice to get to catch up with Kara. (:

Random as the trip was, it was so incredible, and I’m so thankful it happened. Thanks, Williamses!