DIVA.CHRONICLES : The Windy City

It’s day # 1 here in the Windy City! Let me tell you what…. The tourist side of me is out of shape! I have blisters, I’m pooped, and I got lost (very rare for me!). Maybe its because I was tired all day from my early early flight out of RDU this morning. Anyways, I arrived safely in Chicago at 7:30 CST this morning, after having slept the whole way. My trusty inflatable neck pillow from all my Europe travels finally sprang a leak – very sad!

Nice morning in the clouds!

I got to my hostel in Greek Town relatively easily, was immediately checked in, got settled, and then hit the streets! I first wandered around Millennium Park for a good while. It was one of my favorite areas, so I was perfectly content to just meander around for a while. By the time I made my way to the first part of the Magnificent Mile of shopping, it was almost noon! I needed food! I walked half a mile each way for Lou Malnati’s pizza, which I was specifically instructed to get by my co-worker, Mike (shout out to Mike, and STG, who dealt with my incessant questions about Chicago in the past week!). The pizza did not disappoint, other than the fact that they tell you it is going to take half an hour to make. I was so hungry I wanted to eat my hand, and then tear down the building, but I behaved myself instead.

First sight out of the subway, too cool

Art Institute lion, with a Blackhawks helmet on, for the Stanley Cup win

Millennium Park

Lurie Gardens

This guy was so dapper, I was obsessed and had to take a pic

Flags for Independence Day!

This place is freaking awesome!

Killed this in like .5 seconds

After I ate, I walked around all the shopping areas, but I really didn’t feel like going into any of the stores and actually shopping. I hate shopping by myself. I did however, go into Van Cleef & Arpels to try on wedding bands!! It was SO exciting. They did not have the kind I thought I originally wanted to see, but they had others I hadn’t yet considered, so it was good to see them with my engagement ring, and to also get my size. I was totally swooning the whole time I love their jewelry so much. After leaving VC&A I made my way to Navy Pier. I was not a happy camper on the way because I was tired and my feet were k i l l i n g me , so I was less than impressed when I arrived at Navy Pier to basically find the fair. I may check it out again later this week, but I was not in the mood today. After a very long ordeal, I finally made it back to the hostel, where I passed out for a bit, before going to eat dinner. Since we are in the Greek area of Chicago, and I am here by myself, I figured why not eat at one of the Greek restaurants near the hostel. I looked on Yelp to see which ones had good ratings, and the best one was actually right next door to the hostel! I had a great meal, the environment was so friendly and relaxing, so I was perfectly content.