Just before coming back onboard, I sneaked in a wonderful weekend in Chicago. I’ve been travelling by myself for the first two years since joining this job, but it seemed a while since I’d gone solo.
London was spent socialising with friends and family, Houston was spent making friends, dining and cocktailing every night. I loved every second as I’ve missed making new friends, and going on courses is the perfect place to do that.
Have you ever had the feeling where you’re overwhelmed with how nice and lovely the people you meet are, and you just want to give them a big squeeze and tell them that they’re awesome? I got that feeling with most of the people there, it was amazing!
Having said that, I do need and very much appreciate ‘me‘ time. Just to meander and explore a new city all by myself and get lost in my own thoughts. Or even better, to not have to think at all. Not about making conversations, or fitting in plans with everyone else, but to just soak in my own blissful silence and do exactly as I please.
In Chicago I did just that.
It had been a long time since I stayed in a hostel too. I stayed at HI hostel which has a perfect location, smack in the middle of downtown on East Congress Parkway. I don’t see much point in booking a fancy-pants hotel when it’s just me (I did this before and it was dep-reeeessingg my friends) so, never again.
I dumped my bags, grabbed a map, slipped on a summer dress and off I went.
Within 5 minutes walking distance I passed a ‘Chess Table’ where you can just hop in and have a game with whomever is there and keen. Such a fabulous idea!
I wondered past the Chicago river and through Grant Park, surrounded by Chicago’s famous skyscrapers standing tall and proud. Grant Park is a huge space including the well-known Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago, Buckingham Fountain and the Museum Campus.
Funky sculptures are scattered everywhere, it’s a seriously photogenic city!
The Art Institute of Chicago is a must-visit, it’s one of the top attractions and with good reason. The majestic building is impressive, but to be honest it was the street performances just in front that caught my attention the most.
There were a group of guys drumming on buckets with such enthusiasm.
Their rustic beats echoed through the streets, instantly upping the cool vibe of the city. I could feel my feet itching to dance, my fingers clicking and head bopping (kind of like an awkward dad dance). I didn’t actually do this though. But I probably should have.
This contrasted hugely when two lovely ladies started playing the soothing, harmonic sounds of the violin straight after. They were great and it made me instantly fall in love with Chicago.
As I entered Millennium Park (near the shoreline of Lake Michigan) I was greeted by a tall, huge grinning man with glasses. Children were skipping, running and laughing in the water fountains beneath him.
These are the faces of regular people living in Chicago, projected on huge LED screens for everyone to enjoy. I absolutely love this idea!
Then came the impressive Cloud Gate, known as ‘The Bean’. It’s a fantastic mirrored sculpture with just about everyone squeezing there way through to get a photo in it’s reflection. I joined it and attempted countless selfies of myself, it’s harder than it looks believe me!
Then pops up a tall, white statue of a peaceful-looking face. This city just gets cooler.
And there’s more. Around the corner there’s a huge stadium boasting it’s clever design and modern architecture. It’s the perfect place to hold concerts and events.
Feeling pretty peckish, I found a gorgeous roof-top restaurant called Tavern at the Park nearby.
All that walking and photo-taking, I thought I deserved a refreshing cocktail and large chef’s salad. Nestled on a comfy chair with Chicago’s famous skyline towering above me, it was a pretty great end to my first evening in the city :).
Tip: Remember to make sure you have the right visa before entering the USA (for non-US citizens). The ESTA Application website will be useful for a lot of nationalities.
