Our trip was a huge success. Here are some highlights and observations:
*Chicago is amazing! It's especially beautiful with fall in full bloom; we could finally begin to envision living here.
*We ate at several superb eateries including Club Lucky, an Italian place near where we will be living, Papaspiros, a Greek restaurant in Oak Park, several hot dog joints (we'll soon find our favorite, I'm sure), and a fabulous breakfast place in Lincoln Park called Toast Two
*We enjoyed being taxied around the city at 100 mph (sheesh)
*Chicago drivers in general are INSANE; we've seen quite the gamut of drivers since living in CA and TX--Californias have a calculated craziness (they mostly know what they are doing, imo) to Texans who are either too cautious or too wild (esp. 18-wheel truckers who think they are driving cars). It'll be quite an adjustment getting used to driving there as everyone goes so freakin' fast, there are dozens of one-way streets, and the roads themselves do not have many dividing lines so people tend to drive very close together.
*The weather was wonderful and although winter supposedly lasts about 5 months (with February and April being the worst times) we are excited to have SEASONS
*We love our new flat
*We love the wide boulevards, tree-lined streets, and greystones
*We rented a car on Saturday to look around at potential rental places and our Kia had a GPS Neverlost onboard. We found our destinations by simply punching in the addresses and it worked every time. I must have one of these.
*We walked around alot and even took the bus for one ride (we didn't ride the El though)
*Aron's company had originally put us up at a hotel near the airport (because of major events happening this past weekend, all hotels in downtown were up astronomically; however, when Aron's boss found out we weren't in downtown, he pulled some strings and we were able to stay at the Holiday Inn City Centre, 2 blocks from Michigan Ave. in downtown; it was perfect!)
*We enjoyed the MOST fabulous ice-cream we have ever tasted, no joke. It was all thanks to Shelley and Randall (Laurie's sister and brother-in-law); they took us to Oberweiss for shakes and scoops. Our current favorites (Braums and Blue Bell) do not even hold a candle to this place.
*We ate dinner with Shel and Randall on Saturday night at the Greek place mentioned above and had a great time hanging out, getting to know them, getting tips about life in Chicago, and just enjoying good life conversations
*We found an adorable baby store and made some purchases for bebe M--I bought her 2 pairs of Baby Legs (the latest trend in baby wear which will be fantastic for the coming winter) and Aron bought her pink-checkered Vans shoes (pictures to come)
Sounds like a dream weekend! So glad you guys had fun and it was productive too. Now all you need is a good church home and you'll be set! Fun that you're hanging out with my sissie. So jealous you had Oberweiss. I'd come visit just for that!
ReplyDeleteBetter than Blue Bell? Shocking. I must try some of this ice-cream. That will be the first place we hit when I come visit. ;)
ReplyDeleteYou really packed so much into your weekend here.
ReplyDeleteWow. I'm amazed that y'all think it's better than Blue Bell -- that was our favorite for years and years in Auburn, and we lament not being able to get it Chapel Hill or here. Just knowing you have it available made me a little intimidated to introduce Oberweiss -- but I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
And I'm impressed you took the bus! The few times I've done that, it's been fine, but I'm always afraid I'll get on the wrong one.
Shel--yes, I would say that Oberweiss is much better than Blue Bell. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteYou are starting to comment on my blog! Much fun. :)
Actually, I prefer to Tinker Bell to the Blue Bell - but then I'm funny that way!
ReplyDelete