My kind of town

I heart Chicago.



Things I've learned this last week:

*Walking outside the office towers at 5 p.m. in dress pants and heels automatically makes one look like a local.

*Looking like a local means you dont get the same special price offers promoted to tourists.

*Outside of the Rocky Mountains, warm summer rain really does happen once in a while.

*Pizzano's pizza really is oh so good.

*Luggage doesn't fit through the people counters leading to the El train very well, nor is it fun to carry up the stairs to get there.

*Panhandling can be done with immense creativity. I think my favorite was the Art Institute student doing "disco for dollars".

*It is ineffective, in a city known for local jazz, to walk into an all jazz record shop, ask if they carry any local stuff, and expect a clear "yeah, this one" rather than a dozen or so options.

*Hailing a cab is an art I have yet to master.

*The most effective way to get drinking water without paying the $4.10/bottle the hotel charges is just to fill the ice bucket and let it melt.

*An extra large serving of Spumoni can make a mighty fine dinner.

*I am not patient/assertive/wealthy enough to drive a car downtown.

*Hotel pillows can be incredibly comfortable.

*It is possible to take 115 photos in one day and not be in a single one.

*While vacation is nice, it's better to be with those we love. Some time away helps us remember that.