CHOO onthis

Bunch of bikes parked outside the Arthur E. Anderson building in Evanston. Fate much?

My gals from work in SF and I took advantage of a weekend before training to enjoy Chicago. I fell in love with this city a few years ago when I first visited, and returning was like falling in love all over again. I must say though - that I had major separation anxiety issues and missed my baby NYC. 

DAY 1: We started the weekend off with LOLLAPALOOZA - which in my humble opinion, has to be the best organized music festival I’ve ever been to. Grant Park is an amazing location. Plenty of grass, fountains, a FARMER’S MARKET? and just saying - Coldplay performing with the Chicago cityscape as a backdrop was unreal. We also saw other amazing performances by Cults, Two Door Cinema Club, OK GO, and Ratatat.

The FOOD at Lolla was DELICIOUS. We ventured over to the beer garden and the Haus of Sausage for a “Big A$$ Brat on a Pretzel Bun” and some fries which were amazing. Not only was the food delicious and affordable, but there were several CLEAN tables where we could chill and enjoy our food. Imagine that - 270,000 attendees and there are areas that are clean…I also had “The Benevolent Burrito” - a Vegetarian, vegan, gluten free burrito from Crescent Foods which tasted very, very nice.

The COMPANY Chicagoans are very easy-going and they were loving on me!! I got quite the ego boost that weekend so I LOVE Chicago [even more]. Thank you for making my head bigger than it already is. I found my outfit twin:

DAY 2: We all had mixed agendas for Saturday so we split up in the morning. Moni and I went for a beautiful 3.5 mile run along the pier. Towards the end of the run, there is corner with rushing waters - so alive. We headed to Michigan Ave. to do some shopping, bother some innocent bystanders and begin my ice cream binge. Just for the record I think I only had 2 different types - Cookies and cream from Ghirardelli, Ninja Turtle ice cream with gumball eyes - remember those?

Us in front of the Marilyn Monroe statue on Michigan Ave.

Deep dish and BUFFALO! at Gino’s East

Being weirdos per usual

DAY 3: We headed over to Wrigley field where I finally got a Cubs shirt that I was so keen on going. Wrigley field itself isn’t anything to write home about and I actually fell asleep for a good part of the game, but it was still great times being out and the frozen custard was very nice. After the game, we went to greektown and ate at Greek Islands restaurant. Side note - Why have I not yet been to Greece???

DAY 4 +: Throughout training, we had the coolest crew - us girls, Alex, Gavin and Stan the Man that added to the experience. I learned a lot too - Six Sigma stuff, communications stuff, that I’m really good at darts (challengers?), and the Brits taught me that a cucumber is a cucumber, a gherkin is actually a pickle and a pickle are those pickled onions that no one really eats. So enlightened!