2015 Furlough: "Chicago: The Beginning of the End!"

Yes, we're on our way back to New Zealand.  Our first stop is Chicago, where we spent about 24 hours with the Pride twins (Katie & Jennie)!

These girls arranged for a friend to pick us up at O'Hare airport and take us to their apartment overlooking Lake Michigan (see the sunrise photo taken the morning).  We arrived in the afternoon.  When the twins got home from work, the whirlwind tour of experiencing Chicago began.

First we were introduced to their doorman, Lorenzo, who is quite a character, and makes the girls feel safe as soon as they arrive at the revolving door into their apartment building (he's 6' 8").  Then we walked to a crowded, noisy, happenin' cafe near to the famous Wrigley Field.  While we were waiting for our food, Katie bought baseball tickets from a street vendor.  After dinner (where I tried my best to hear the shouted, laughing conversation), we walked to the ballfield.  What a thrill to see the ivy-covered wall!  The game only made it through to the third inning when the lightning and rain stopped play.  Since we had walked quite a distance to Wrigley Field, we had to look for an alternative way home to escape the lightning and rain.  We took a short walk to the train station.  (I was so excited to ride the "El" from While You Were Sleeping movie!)  Although the train was crowded, everyone seemed to smilingly welcome us scrunching inside.  After the swaying train ride, the twins organized an "Uber cab."  (That's a system where you organize a taxi on your smartphone.  You are sent a picture of your taxi driver, and I think the payment is also online.)  

Upon arriving at the twins apartment building (and a wave to Lorenzo,) we headed up to the 26th floor to Katie and Jenny's apartment, a little soggy, but thrilled with all we experienced in such a short time!  We all changed out of our wet clothes, and, while they were drying, had a fun time catching up on stories of the latest family news.  What a fun visit!

This morning we taxied to where Katie works, met her for lunch, and then met the people she works with at her office.  We ate the famous Chicago-style pizza!  Yum!

The twins arranged for Lorenzo to take us to the airport.  He is such a good-hearted guy...and a big guy, as well.  (He drove with his seat reclined so he could fit behind to wheel of the car.)  It was interesting to hear a little about his growing up and his family in Detroit.  He's lived in Chicago about the same amount of time we've lived in New Zealand.  We learned he has a hard time knowing which twin he is talking to (which isn't too surprising,) and that he definately will not walk the dogs of people in the apartment building.  (It seems he attempted the dog-walking gig and didn't much care for cleaning up their messes!)

Thank you, Jenny and Katie, for welcoming us into your lives and giving us such a great Chicago experience!