Stood up in Chicago - Faina’s report.
Sep 24th, 2006 | 08:12 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,419
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Stood up in Chicago - Faina’s report.
No, this is not my main impression of the city 
It’s just happened that in my 50+ years I’ve never been stood up. Till Chicago. But I’ll tell about this later.
THE FLIGHT. I got a one-way reservation on Southwest, coming back with Amtrak. That report is posted already, was easier to write
Prepared for a strip-search, arrived to the airport early. Nobody was impressed with one-way, probably because of me being a frequent flier. Usual x-ray, only gave up my water bottle, 5 minutes to check-in the suitcase, 20 minutes Oakland security.
During the flight they did not serve more water then before. Being thirsty tried an ice cube. Eeeewwww.... The aftertaste stayed for a while in my mouth. Only “water no ice” from now on!
Getting off the plane was faster, but took a while to get the luggage. About an hour later, I was on a SHUTTLE. $20 + tips. Yikes! But the driver was nice, pointed out some places to visit, restaurants I didn’t go to Like taking a partial tour of the city. Good decision to take a shuttle, as later I found out - the EL’s Grand station didn’t have an elevator nor an escalator, or just couldn’t find any... what would I do with the luggage? Physically not a strong person.
THE HOTEL - COMFORT INN. I couldn’t have guessed a better location! A small European-size room, a block to the EL, buses, restaurants, large produce shop, you name it, it was there! Free local calls. Free Internet if you have a laptop. Buffet breakfast and all-day coffee. For next time, I’d choose a hotel on an often-running bus line, preferably on Michigan, or State.
Do you ever do it, like I’ve done in the hotel and on the train - after changing, opened the curtains to see the lights going off in the buildings, or the lights of the train stations coming? And in the hotel I watched the sunset twice before going out to dinner.
Trivia question: if Chicago is in Illinois, why Michigan is the main street?
BUS PASS. I got a 3-day pass in the produce store across from the hotel, and used the whole value in the first day! Started with the EL, and it was underground to the places I’d visited. Didn’t let me see the city. So I’d switched to the bus lines. Easy to use, just don’t expect the driver to tell you where to get off!
RESTAURANTS. Walked into the hotel room, looked out of the window: magnificent view! And I can see the restaurant recommended by a Fodorite: OSTERIA VIA STATO. Decided to splurge and walked over for dinner. Looked closed. It took a while for me to realize all businesses have revolving doors. Probably not to lose the heat during snowy winters? It’s good they have an employee outside to solicit... err... invite people in.
Let me warn you: don’t go in alone. This is a very romantic place. Dimmed, candles on each table. I wish I’d have Mr. Again there with me! The waiter didn’t do A starter of clay bread and greasy olive oil. The main dish was fine, but not something to remember. The only thing I’ve really enjoyed was the wine. Italian Merlot Sesser 2001 made that very rainy evening bearable.
CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN. Yes, I am a criminal. And after a non-GTG I needed a glass of whine. Tried the Australian Shiraz with a kangaroo on the label... Yellow Tail? Not good. Not good at all. At home I have another brand, with a penguin on it, this is very good! The food at CPK was surprisingly good for this type of establishment, and tiramisu too
I even ate at McD! Needed caffeine on a hot day, being at Navy Pier. Got a cup of coffee and an ice-cream, combined them to make a... Frapuccino. Or Cafe Faina And another day, a lunch of a fish sandwich and a salad overlooking Chagall’s murals!
RIVER CRUISE. I know there are different cruises to take, but I took the one easiest to find. I didn’t have the energy to look for departure points of other cruises, and enjoyed the Shoreline very much! Only 1 hour of floating from the Navy Pier. In September no reservation was needed. Fully narrated, history and architecture. After this one, I want to go on a multi-day river cruise
GET-TOGETHERS. Lunch with the fellow Fodorites/TTGers at Ben Pao. Good food (large portions), and even better conversations! Sally insisted on paying. Thank you, Sally and David! And JJ5 and Swalter for taking your time to make my trip so pleasant! Yes, I remembered the camera, but the film is only half done, will take a while to develop. It was great to meet everybody, now I can see faces behind the lines.
Another GTG was planned on Friday 7 pm at Vong’s Thai Kitchen with the Fodor’s Asia board. Gloria made the reservations. I had it all written down. All dollied up, I showed up at VTK about 10’ to 7. Asked for Gloria’s reservation - not in their computer. Asked for Fodor’s group - not in their computer. What to do? Stand at the door asking everybody who they are and get arrested for soliciting? Walked from VTK to CTK for dinner
It turned out later, when I came home, this GTG was cancelled and the warning posted on Fodor‘s. As I didn’t use the Internet during vacation, I had no way of knowing it. It happens. I wrote it off as a new experience of being finally stood up
ATTRACTIONS. I usually print-out Yahoo maps for each place I want to visit, and mark all attractions in the area. Then toss the pages as I go. Start with a place I want to visit the most, and attend all in the area I have time and strength for. Same routine next day.
On a rainy day I went to the FIELD’S MUSEUM. They had an Auschwitz exhibit of photographs kept in UN archives, printed only for the 60th anniversary of liberation. It’s a traveling exhibit, may come to your city. Of course, saw some things making my way to it, mainly Pacific Islands. Went downstairs for the Nature Walk. Too much taxidermy, why do they need to display all these dead animals? It would be much more educational to the children to see them in a zoo, to learn how to take care of those.
Now tell me please about Sue. Am I the only one not buying the idea of those bones being natural? Or maybe they are covered with too much plastic for preservation?
The SPERTUS MUSEUM is closed for renovation, only the Holocaust exhibit is opened. The gift shop is like in any other city, San Francisco’s has better selection.
Next door to Spertus is the MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHY. Highly recommend visiting, such an interesting place! There was Greta Pratt’s exhibit, this woman has an eye for amusing things! On display till October 14. You locals better go there before it’s over!
Chagall’s murals in the plaza... what can I say? I love CHAGALL! Even after visiting his exhibit the murals are amazing! Love and everyday life. Remind me again, why I don’t like contemporary art
I don’t know why the NAVY PIER gets such a bad rap. Took a boat tour, did some souvenir shopping. In a Russian store got t-shirts I’ve been looking for a long time: from the USSR era, my kids loved them! And the MUSEUM OF THE STAINED GLASS is awesome! To get there the best way is to take the free shuttle to the last of its 3 stops on the pier, and walk along the displays, in the direction of the beginning of the pier. Religious or not, everybody can find there something interesting. It’s not all about Christianity. By the way, the FREE TROLLEY from State to the Pier runs all year. Other lines are seasonal.
HANCOCK TOWER. If you hate touristy things, don’t read this paragraph. I went up on a clear day, and the advantage of the observation place over the bar is that you can look at the pictures and read the names of the places you’re looking at. Also there is a special place for taking pictures - somebody can take your picture with your camera, like you’re washing windows of the building. In the gift shop I got a t-shirt for my poor Mr. Again: “Chicago - a city of drunks with a sport problem”.
ITALIAN GOODIES. There is a small coffee shop L’Apetito. Stop for coffee and something baked, or better yet, to check their imported food section. Cookies, oils, vinegars, chocolates, sauces, Nutella, pastas - all imported from Italy!
This place also sells ice cream. Why is it each flavor is in Italian except Nocciola translated into English - hazelnut?
Would you agree the best discoveries are unplanned? For me it was the CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER. On the way to the Millennium Park I saw an ad for a Japanese bamboo exhibit. 4 floors of fun! Amazing bamboo craft. Ukrainian socialist painting - too familiar to me to spend much time there. Lithuanian photos through the eyes of an American.
Add to this some walks in the parks, shopping, and just “getting lost” in the loop. I had great time! My Amtrak report which was easier to write, it is posted already. And I know now I can travel on my own - this was my very first trip absolutely alone.
It’s just happened that in my 50+ years I’ve never been stood up. Till Chicago. But I’ll tell about this later. THE FLIGHT. I got a one-way reservation on Southwest, coming back with Amtrak. That report is posted already, was easier to write
Prepared for a strip-search, arrived to the airport early. Nobody was impressed with one-way, probably because of me being a frequent flier. Usual x-ray, only gave up my water bottle, 5 minutes to check-in the suitcase, 20 minutes Oakland security. During the flight they did not serve more water then before. Being thirsty tried an ice cube. Eeeewwww.... The aftertaste stayed for a while in my mouth. Only “water no ice” from now on!
Getting off the plane was faster, but took a while to get the luggage. About an hour later, I was on a SHUTTLE. $20 + tips. Yikes! But the driver was nice, pointed out some places to visit, restaurants I didn’t go to
Like taking a partial tour of the city. Good decision to take a shuttle, as later I found out - the EL’s Grand station didn’t have an elevator nor an escalator, or just couldn’t find any... what would I do with the luggage? Physically not a strong person.THE HOTEL - COMFORT INN. I couldn’t have guessed a better location! A small European-size room, a block to the EL, buses, restaurants, large produce shop, you name it, it was there! Free local calls. Free Internet if you have a laptop. Buffet breakfast and all-day coffee. For next time, I’d choose a hotel on an often-running bus line, preferably on Michigan, or State.
Do you ever do it, like I’ve done in the hotel and on the train - after changing, opened the curtains to see the lights going off in the buildings, or the lights of the train stations coming? And in the hotel I watched the sunset twice before going out to dinner.
Trivia question: if Chicago is in Illinois, why Michigan is the main street?
BUS PASS. I got a 3-day pass in the produce store across from the hotel, and used the whole value in the first day! Started with the EL, and it was underground to the places I’d visited. Didn’t let me see the city. So I’d switched to the bus lines. Easy to use, just don’t expect the driver to tell you where to get off!
RESTAURANTS. Walked into the hotel room, looked out of the window: magnificent view! And I can see the restaurant recommended by a Fodorite: OSTERIA VIA STATO. Decided to splurge and walked over for dinner. Looked closed. It took a while for me to realize all businesses have revolving doors. Probably not to lose the heat during snowy winters? It’s good they have an employee outside to solicit... err... invite people in.
Let me warn you: don’t go in alone. This is a very romantic place. Dimmed, candles on each table. I wish I’d have Mr. Again there with me! The waiter didn’t do
A starter of clay bread and greasy olive oil. The main dish was fine, but not something to remember. The only thing I’ve really enjoyed was the wine. Italian Merlot Sesser 2001 made that very rainy evening bearable. CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN. Yes, I am a criminal. And after a non-GTG I needed a glass of whine. Tried the Australian Shiraz with a kangaroo on the label... Yellow Tail? Not good. Not good at all. At home I have another brand, with a penguin on it, this is very good! The food at CPK was surprisingly good for this type of establishment, and tiramisu too
I even ate at McD! Needed caffeine on a hot day, being at Navy Pier. Got a cup of coffee and an ice-cream, combined them to make a... Frapuccino. Or Cafe Faina
And another day, a lunch of a fish sandwich and a salad overlooking Chagall’s murals!RIVER CRUISE. I know there are different cruises to take, but I took the one easiest to find. I didn’t have the energy to look for departure points of other cruises, and enjoyed the Shoreline very much! Only 1 hour of floating from the Navy Pier. In September no reservation was needed. Fully narrated, history and architecture. After this one, I want to go on a multi-day river cruise
GET-TOGETHERS. Lunch with the fellow Fodorites/TTGers at Ben Pao. Good food (large portions), and even better conversations! Sally insisted on paying. Thank you, Sally and David! And JJ5 and Swalter for taking your time to make my trip so pleasant! Yes, I remembered the camera, but the film is only half done, will take a while to develop. It was great to meet everybody, now I can see faces behind the lines.
Another GTG was planned on Friday 7 pm at Vong’s Thai Kitchen with the Fodor’s Asia board. Gloria made the reservations. I had it all written down. All dollied up, I showed up at VTK about 10’ to 7. Asked for Gloria’s reservation - not in their computer. Asked for Fodor’s group - not in their computer. What to do? Stand at the door asking everybody who they are and get arrested for soliciting? Walked from VTK to CTK for dinner
It turned out later, when I came home, this GTG was cancelled and the warning posted on Fodor‘s. As I didn’t use the Internet during vacation, I had no way of knowing it. It happens. I wrote it off as a new experience of being finally stood up
ATTRACTIONS. I usually print-out Yahoo maps for each place I want to visit, and mark all attractions in the area. Then toss the pages as I go. Start with a place I want to visit the most, and attend all in the area I have time and strength for. Same routine next day.
On a rainy day I went to the FIELD’S MUSEUM. They had an Auschwitz exhibit of photographs kept in UN archives, printed only for the 60th anniversary of liberation. It’s a traveling exhibit, may come to your city. Of course, saw some things making my way to it, mainly Pacific Islands. Went downstairs for the Nature Walk. Too much taxidermy, why do they need to display all these dead animals? It would be much more educational to the children to see them in a zoo, to learn how to take care of those.
Now tell me please about Sue. Am I the only one not buying the idea of those bones being natural? Or maybe they are covered with too much plastic for preservation?
The SPERTUS MUSEUM is closed for renovation, only the Holocaust exhibit is opened. The gift shop is like in any other city, San Francisco’s has better selection.
Next door to Spertus is the MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHY. Highly recommend visiting, such an interesting place! There was Greta Pratt’s exhibit, this woman has an eye for amusing things! On display till October 14. You locals better go there before it’s over!
Chagall’s murals in the plaza... what can I say? I love CHAGALL! Even after visiting his exhibit the murals are amazing! Love and everyday life. Remind me again, why I don’t like contemporary art
I don’t know why the NAVY PIER gets such a bad rap. Took a boat tour, did some souvenir shopping. In a Russian store got t-shirts I’ve been looking for a long time: from the USSR era, my kids loved them! And the MUSEUM OF THE STAINED GLASS is awesome! To get there the best way is to take the free shuttle to the last of its 3 stops on the pier, and walk along the displays, in the direction of the beginning of the pier. Religious or not, everybody can find there something interesting. It’s not all about Christianity. By the way, the FREE TROLLEY from State to the Pier runs all year. Other lines are seasonal.
HANCOCK TOWER. If you hate touristy things, don’t read this paragraph. I went up on a clear day, and the advantage of the observation place over the bar is that you can look at the pictures and read the names of the places you’re looking at. Also there is a special place for taking pictures - somebody can take your picture with your camera, like you’re washing windows of the building. In the gift shop I got a t-shirt for my poor Mr. Again: “Chicago - a city of drunks with a sport problem”.
ITALIAN GOODIES. There is a small coffee shop L’Apetito. Stop for coffee and something baked, or better yet, to check their imported food section. Cookies, oils, vinegars, chocolates, sauces, Nutella, pastas - all imported from Italy!
This place also sells ice cream. Why is it each flavor is in Italian except Nocciola translated into English - hazelnut?
Would you agree the best discoveries are unplanned? For me it was the CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER. On the way to the Millennium Park I saw an ad for a Japanese bamboo exhibit. 4 floors of fun! Amazing bamboo craft. Ukrainian socialist painting - too familiar to me to spend much time there. Lithuanian photos through the eyes of an American.
Add to this some walks in the parks, shopping, and just “getting lost” in the loop. I had great time! My Amtrak report which was easier to write, it is posted already. And I know now I can travel on my own - this was my very first trip absolutely alone.
Sep 24th, 2006 | 10:38 PM
#3
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,496
Likes: 0
Sounds like you had a great time in Chicago. I knew you'd have no problem traveling alone. Thanks for the reviews on the museums. All of my trips to Chicago have been quick ones and usually business related so I will have to go sometime and check out the places you mentioned.
Welcome home.
Welcome home.
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Sep 25th, 2006 | 07:35 AM
#10
Original Poster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,419
Likes: 0
LOL Neo. Thank you, everybody! Ange, no hard feelings, just using a dramatic topic
Oh, one thing I forgot to mention... of course there are maps at each bus stop, but I've used the CTA bus map A LOT, printed off the Internet. It has all bus lines and major places of interest. Easy to use.
Oh, one thing I forgot to mention... of course there are maps at each bus stop, but I've used the CTA bus map A LOT, printed off the Internet. It has all bus lines and major places of interest. Easy to use.
Sep 25th, 2006 | 07:58 AM
#12
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,253
Likes: 0
It's good to read your report Faina. You did well in the time you had. Next time you need to go to the Art Institute. In going down to meet you I learned that it is open free now on Thursday nights from 5 to 9pm. And I also got tickets for "Pirate Queen". So I want to thank you for putting me in the right place at the right time.
Go SOX and Go Bears!
From- part of the Sports problem.
Go SOX and Go Bears!
From- part of the Sports problem.
Sep 25th, 2006 | 09:21 AM
#13
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Hi Faina, thanks for sharing your fun time in Chicago. Sorry about the second GTG not taking place but am sure you really enjoyed the first one.
I am happy that you discovered travelling by yourself can be fun (well except maybe at romantic restaurants, lol). Wishing you many more trips!
I am happy that you discovered travelling by yourself can be fun (well except maybe at romantic restaurants, lol). Wishing you many more trips!
Sep 25th, 2006 | 10:15 AM
#14
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,107
Likes: 0
Great report! I'll print maps from internet, but prefer to pick up the printed schedules/maps found at subway/train stops. I found that if you knew a few of the cross streets where your destination was, you could easily figure where to get off buses by watching the electronic displays, constantly updated as the buses made their way. The CTA visitor pass is definately the way to get around.
Sep 25th, 2006 | 02:24 PM
#18
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,098
Likes: 0
Hey Faina's Report!! Welcome back!
Sounds like you had a fabulous time. I've only visited Chicago once...in November. Stayed at the Palmer House Hilton. Loved it. It was nice and warm.
Did all the touristy things...except Navy Pier. Can you believe that!
All I really remember about the trip was the Frank Lloyd Wright tour and how damn cold it was outside the hotel room!
I gotta get back there one of these days though.
Where's the Amtrak report?
Sounds like you had a fabulous time. I've only visited Chicago once...in November. Stayed at the Palmer House Hilton. Loved it. It was nice and warm.
Did all the touristy things...except Navy Pier. Can you believe that!
All I really remember about the trip was the Frank Lloyd Wright tour and how damn cold it was outside the hotel room!
I gotta get back there one of these days though.
Where's the Amtrak report?
Sep 25th, 2006 | 02:43 PM
#20
Original Poster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,419
Likes: 0
JaGirl, here:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34874548
Sure, just the train from where you are to San Francisco This will be a heck of a GTG LOL
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34874548
Sure, just the train from where you are to San Francisco
This will be a heck of a GTG LOL
