VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT!

HI-Chicago is so lucky to have our amazing volunteer base to add to our capacity and show travelers the best of Chicago!

AMY WEBER

What do you do at the hostel and for how long have you been doing it?
I been volunteering since last August. I am involved with Chicago Guides, Cultural Kitchen and do a shift at the Information Desk on Monday's.



How did you get involved at the hostel?
I have been staying at hostels since my first backpacking trip to Europe. When looking for volunteering opportunities at home, HI-Chicago seemed to be the perfect fit. I am able to still be involved with the international community and I get to share my view of Chicago with travelers.

What is your most memorable traveling experience?
It was the trip I did with my brother, David, around the world. We stopped in Europe, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Hong Kong. It was amazing to share all the different experiences in each country with him. From mac attacks on Khao San Road, getting custom made clothes in Hoi An to learning to play backgammon with Nitan in India. We still laugh and talk about this trip when we see each other. All the experiences are bonds that help us stay together even though he lives in Arizona now.

What is one fun fact about yourself that most people at the hostel would not know?
I learned to surf in Costa Rica a couple years ago and loved it. Costa Rica is the one country I will continue to visit over and over and over. Also, they have really good fried chicken.

Spring has Sprung!

When looking at the upcoming ten day forecast, one might feel the need to celebrate. Finally, it appears as if spring has sprung. Sunny and 70 degree weather is in our midst! And yet again the city of Chicago braves to spend more than a daily commute outdoors. So now that the weather is warm take advantage of it and spend as much time outside as possible! Here are a few ideas to occupy your time around the city:



Chicago Arts District Second Fridays Gallery Night
Expanding on its visual art theme, this is a monthly walking tour of about 30 Pilsen spots. The Indie galleries have added performance art and shopping opportunities to its roster of opening receptions. Pick up a map at the information center, located at 1821 S. Halsted St. and check it out every 2nd Friday of the month from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Green City Market
Shop for smaller amounts of fresh produce and also pantry items, such as artisanal cheeses, meats, fish and poultry, apples, root vegetables, baked goods, sauces, fresh pasta and more, from about 25-35 vendors. The market moves inside the museum for the winter months however on April 24th it will be making its move back outdoors! Stop by on April 10 and 24 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Hello Spring
Learn about Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) from Harvest Moon Farms and get composting tips from the Urban Worm Girls at this green-themed informational session on April 3 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.



Easter Egg Hunt
Looking for a family activity this weekend? Love candy? Join Hyde Park on April 3 at 12:30 a.m. for an Easter Egg Hunt! Riddles lead you through Hyde Park on a search for eggs and includes prizes for the fastest hunters, a picnic and games. Price is $10-$12 per family.

Bicycle Workshop
Get your bicycle out of storage and prepare it for Spring! Swing by the West Town Bikes shop (located in Humboldt Park) for a work session. Repairs are strictly DIY, but an instructor is on hand to help on a first come, first served basis.

Greenheart Shop’s Hello Spring! Open House
Jump into Spring! Join Harvest Moon Farms and the Urban Worm Girls at the Greenheart Shop (located at 1911 W. Division) this Saturday afternoon, April 3, and prepare for a great growing season. Harvest Moon farms will offer information about their wildly popular CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares. During the spring and summer seasons, pick up a weekly box of fresh, organic, locally grown produce from Harvest Moon Farms at the Greenheart Shop--sign up today! The Urban Worm Girls will also be in the shop to show you how to turn all your left-over food scraps into liquid black gold! They'll have one of their sample worm bins at the shop to show you how easy it is to compost with worms.

So grab your light jacket, sunglasses, and walking shoes and enjoy the changing season!


-Erika Ter Louw, HI intern

Neighborhood Spotlight: Devon Avenue

The busy hub of Chicago’s Indian and Pakistani population, the stretch of Devon Avenue between California and Ridge Streets, is bursting with exotic colors, smells, and tastes. Now home to the nation’s 3rd largest concentration of Indian residents, the neighborhood’s influx began with graduate students and professionals from India and Pakistan after the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. Since then, Devon has burgeoned into the headquarters of Indian and Pakistani life in Chicago. Check out Devon (or “Little India,” as some call it) for authentic restaurants, grocery stores, boutiques, Sari shops, jewelry stores, salons, and the best place in Chicago to find Hindi films.

 KNOWN FOR: South Asian cuisine and merchandise, specifically Indian and Pakistani.

 DON’T MISS: Udupi Palace (2543 W Devon Ave) for southern Indian vegetarian cooking; Sabri Nehari Restaurant (2502 W Devon Ave) for the neighborhood’s best Pakistani food; Hema’s Kitchen (2439 W Devon Ave) for Indian food and a BYOB (bring your own beer) policy; Tahoori Sweets & Bakery (2345 W Devon Ave) for samosas and sweets; Deeba Beauty Salon (2752 W Devon Ave) for $5 eyebrow threading.

 GET THERE: Take the Brown Line train to the Western stop. Transfer

A Night at the Opera

When I awoke on Monday morning, I anticipated it would be like any other day. Head to my internship and then a night of catching up on emails, homework, and other meaningless tasks that needed to be done. However, my night drastically changed when a kind man gave away a free ticket to the opera. Being a college student and on a budget, I jumped at the chance to experience something so extravagant. So after rushing home and preparing for the evening, I set out on my newest adventure in Chicago.



As I rounded the corner, a large beautiful building stared back at me. Great round columns stretched to the right of the ornate entryway. Nervous and unsure of what to expect I headed into the warmly lit Opera house. I was overwhelmed with the grand lobby that greeted me. A large regal staircase was to my left and an elaborate balcony wrapped around the three-story foyer.

Attendees were filtering in slowly for the 7:30 showing. Many were enjoying a glass of wine at high tables and admiring their surroundings. Slowly I ascended the staircase, taking in every detail. The railings. The breathtaking crystal chandeliers warming the lobby. The intricate signs. The marble foyer floor. The excited and buzzing Opera lovers.



The stairs first brought me to the Mezzanine floor. Slowly I wandered into the seating area. I was greeted by the incredible and breathtaking stage. Looking over the railing, I could see every detail of the grand room. With the 3,563 seats and the 580 yards of heavy-weight wool velour and silk fringe on the stage curtain, it was an incredible sight to behold. Above the Mezzanine floor there are two additional balconies.



Aside from the grand building itself, the show was yet another marvel. As the orchestra began playing Mozart, I was instantly drawn in. The three and a half hour opera was funny, touching, and capturing. The Marriage of Figaro constantly kept me guessing and entertained by the number of trials faced by Figaro, Susanna, the Count, and the Countess. Never before have I heard such incredible ballads!



By the end of the evening I found myself reluctant to leave. The building, the opera, and the audience members were all such a fascination to me. However, eventually I took one last look at the stage and theater, engraved it in my memory, and headed home. From now on, every time I hear a beautiful composition by Mozart, I will be reminded of my incredible night at the Opera!


-Erika Ter Louw, HI intern

Hosteller Highlight!

During free ice cream Tuesdays we met these two girls from Denmark! They were very excited about having some ice cream and talking with us!

HI: Hi what are your names?
Heidi and Signe



HI: Where are you from?
Denmark

HI: What are you doing here in Chicago?
We are here with our class. We stayed with our professors in West High School in New Berlin.

HI: How long were you here for?
We go home tonight. But we came to Chicago on Saturday. Before we were in New Berlin for 10 days. We went to high school and lots of museums, baseball games, basketball games, ice skating shows, and lots of stuff! (laughs)

HI: Wow you guys saw a lot!
Yeah so much! (laughing)

HI: So what did you learn in your classes?
We learned English. There are many friendly people. They are friendlier than I thought they would be!

HI: What do you like about the big city?
Well here I love the shopping! (laughing) I love love love the shopping here! But people are crazy here! The people who have no home coming and talking to you, kind of scary for me.
(she points out the window)
And that! I never see that before!! The Police on bikes! (laughing) So strange!

HI: Yeah that is kind of different isn’t it? (laughing) So did you like all of the basketball and baseball games at the high school?
Oh yes! I got a t-shirt! (laughing)

HI: Wow, that is great! Is this your first time in the US?
Yeah! Everything is so big! Wow! Everything is so cheap too! In Denmark it isn’t like this. Everything is so much more expensive there. So I love shopping here, and the Michigan Mile!!

HI: (laughing) Yeah the Magnificent Mile is pretty great! Are you going to have to buy another suitcase to bring everything back to Denmark?
Yes! I have four now! (laughing)

HI: So what was your favorite museum in Chicago?
Well in Chicago we didn’t see as many museums as in New Berlin, but I do really like all the towers!

HI: The skyscrapers?
Yeah! So beautiful! And oh my gosh they are so big!

HI: Well thanks for talking with me! Enjoy your free ice cream and you last few hours in Chicago!
Thank you! Have a nice day! Bye.

Storms!

On March 18th the Museum of Science and Industry welcomed a new exhibit into its facilities. The highly interactive new exhibit features seven different natural phenomena and invites attendees to learn and discover our world. Tornado, lightening, fire, atoms, sunlight, tsunami, and avalanche are all part of the exhibit.

To kick off the opening, the museum hosted a reception the evening of March 18th. As partakers poured into the main hall they were invited to explore each part of the exhibit first by trying many of the appetizers themed with a corresponding natural phenomena. Once attendees were satisfied they moved on to further explore the exhibit itself. Museum staff members were present to discuss, explain, and answer any questions regarding each station.



The two-floor exhibit contains over 50 experiments where adults and children alike can expand their knowledge. As you enter the vast display a large rotating Avalanche Disk towers in front of you. Granules are placed in the center of the disk and participants are invited to adjust the speed of the wheel and learn more about how avalanches, or “flows of granular material” work. Another popular avalanche experiment is a tennis ball launch across the exhibit hall. Guided by the Chicago Bulls point guard, Derrick Rose, you learn how to find the correct angle and velocity necessary to reach the other side.

Next you are faced with a 40-foot vortex, which contains air and vapor. Here you have the opportunity to learn more about tornadoes. In addition you can experiment with your own miniature vortex! As you venture further into the museum, you find a Create a Chemical Reaction table. Here you have the opportunity to drag-and-drop different elements in a virtual chemical lab. You are given a perspective on how different elements react together and you can find how a single molecule can drastically change the outcome of the experiment!

Through out the exhibit you can also learn about sunlight. In the roof of the museum there is light streaming in so that you can create prisms, heat liquid, and power a model race car. At the back of the main level is a water tank that stretches 30-feet. Here you can create a tsunami and learn more about how they work. Learn more about waves as well in ripple tanks and watch them interact with other objects or other waves.



Moving up the escalator, even more natural phenomena can be explored. A “flame test” can be used to create fireworks that burn in different colors and learn how natural fires can even be beneficial to the environment! Lastly, observe the immense Tesla coil on the ceiling of the second floor. A museum staff member sets off the high-voltage lightening as you sit below. Learn more about electricity and how we use it today!

Overall, the new Storms exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry is an incredible and vast display of seven different natural phenomena. The exhibit is great for all ages! Reserve several hours in your day to wander through!

-Erika Ter Louw, HI intern

Neighborhood Spotlight: Pilsen

This is the first in a series of neighborhood highlights that will be posted on a weekly basis. Plan where you'll visit once you land in Chicago, or if you're a local, explore a new area that you've never been before!

P I L S E N
Though it was originally settled by German, Irish & Czechoslovakian immigrants, Pilsen now boasts the 2nd largest Mexican community in the USA. Throughout its history, it’s been a center for important social movements and workers strikes, as it has always been home to new immigrants. Come here to explore 18th Street, the busiest street in Pilsen, and explore Mexican-American culture through great restaurants, cafes, stores, and the National Museum of Mexican Art. On the east side of Pilsen (18th and Halsted), you’ll find a funky gallery corridor that has an open gallery night every 2nd Friday of the month from 6-10pm.

 KNOWN FOR: Latino Culture and food, colorful community murals, vibrant arts community

 DON’T MISS: Nuevo Leon (1515 W 18th St), the most famous Mexican restaurant in Pilsen; Simone’s (960 W 18th St), a unique bar/grill with a good night scene; National Museum of Mexican Art (1852 W 19th St) which is free and is the largest Mexican art museum in the nation; and Efebina’s Internet Café (1640 S Blue Island Ave) for coffee, local art, & free internet access.

 GET THERE: Take the Pink Line train to the 18th Street stop.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Green beer. Green river. A parade. And all the green you can possible wear. These are just a few things that characterize the St. Patrick's Day festivities in downtown Chicago. However Chicago is not the only city to put on quite a show for the holiday.

The first traditions originate from the Irish who would celebrate the anniversary of St. Patrick's death in the fifth century. It began as a Christian holiday and the anniversary fell during the season of Lent. Therefore, the Irish would attend church and services in the morning; however in the afternoon, the Lenten restrictions were put aside for the day. Families would feast, dance, and drink to celebrate.

Parades were never a part of the tradition until Irish soldiers marched through New York City while they were serving in the English army. Therefore, on March 17, 1762 the tradition was born. Since that time the Irish immigrants in the United States flourished and they began to form Irish Aid Societies. These were meant to promote their heritage and traditions as Irish Americans; each Aid Society held their own parade. They all began coming together in 1848 in New York City, and they put on the United States' largest parade. It is now the oldest civilian parade in the world!

Meanwhile, Ireland still used the day as a Christian holiday. Laws prohibited pubs from opening on March 17 up until the 1970s. During this time, the Irish government changed its mind and began to use the holiday as an opportunity to increase tourism. A national campaign began in 1995 to encourage visitors from all over the world. Today Dublin has parades, concerts, theatre productions, and fireworks for several days in honor of St. Patrick.

Much like other cities in the United States, Chicago provides large amounts of entertainment for visitors on March 17. Pub-crawls, parades, and lots of green beer are at every traveler's disposal. However, Chicago offers and very unique experience in comparison to other U.S. cities. The infamous dying the Chicago River green draws even more visitors. Pollution control workers in 1962 added green vegetable dye to the river to find sources of illegal sewage. They discovered that 100 pounds of green vegetable dye was enough to keep the river green for a whole week! Thus, they decided it would be a great way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Today only 40 pounds of dye are used in an effort to be environmentally friendly.

So, if you are Irish or not, there is plenty to celebrate! Grab all your green attire and hit the streets to celebrate March 17th! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

-Erika TerLouw, HI-Chicago Intern

Recipes for the Budget Traveler

Now that the sun is shinning, the weather is warmer, and Spring is here, its time to lighten up your recipes. Here is a great Spring pasta salad! It is easy, fast, and tastes great!

First head to the nearest Jewel-Osco store to gather your ingredients! Get on the Red line and head towards 95th/Dan Ryan. Get off at the Roosevelt stop and walk East to S Wabash Ave. Turn right and you will see Jewel. Pick up these key ingredients.

1 bottle (8 oz.) Lite Italian dressing
cherry tomatos
green pepper
ripe olive halves
pepperoni slices (or another meat)
low cholesterol mayonnaise
Grated Parmesan cheese
green onions
1 package of pasta

Once you are back at the hostel, cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Once that is done, add the following over top of the noodles.

1 bottle (8 oz.) Lite Italian dressing
2 c. cherry tomato halves
1 sm. green pepper, in strips
1/2 c. ripe olive halves
1/4 lb. pepperoni slices (or another meat)
2 tbsp. green onions, sliced

Just before serving, add
1/2 c. low cholesterol mayonnaise
2 tbsp. Parmesan cheese, grated.

Serve cold. Enjoy your new spring recipe!!

-Erika Ter Louw, HI intern

Chuckles at Comedy Sportz

A group of ten hostellers left the building Thursday night with high hopes and hungry stomachs. We set off to Comedy Sportz for a night of free pizza and a free comedy show! As we walked into the theatre we were greeted very warmly and handed our tickets. Comedy Sportz Staff did not miss a beat and were instantly greeting us and making sure the group was comfortable.

Volunteers and travelers were treated to pizza catered by Marcello’s. A free drink was also included from the bar in the trendy lobby of Comedy Sportz. The group sat down at tables immediately next to the stage, and after an hour of socializing the doors opened and seating began for the show.



For 90 minutes, the crowd participated in a phenomenal show. Constantly engaging and moving forward, the improv performers amazed the crowd with their quick and consistent wit. There were two improv teams that were competing for the most laughs and a referee who helped officiate the show. We as audience participants took on the role of judges. The more we laughed, the more points the team got.



Contrary to many improv shows, Comedy Sportz was an incredibly clean and family friendly show. If performers crossed a line, the referee stepped in and called a “foul.” If this occurred, the performer would be forced to wear a brown bag over their head for the remainder of the scene. However, the show never got remotely close to this point.



The improv performers played several different “games” or types of improv. Replaying a scene in different roles and rhyme rapping are just two examples of these sidesplitting games. Watch out! They used a lot of crowd participation and volunteers, so be ready to put your good humor to use as well!



Overall, the show was stupendous and consistently comical. At the end of the night audience members left the theatre in a lighter mood and with the expectation of returning again soon!



We will definitely be frequenting the Comedy Sportz Theatre again! So join us on our next trip to the hilarious and engaging show! Thank you so much Comedy Sportz!


-Erika Ter Louw - HI intern

Traveler Interview: Stranded in the States!

At the free ice cream social on Tuesday we stopped to talk with this traveler. He was enjoying some great free ice cream on the warm spring day!

HI: What is your name?
Juan Pablo Donoso

HI: Where are you from?
Chile

HI: How long have you been staying here at the hostel?
10 days. There was an earthquake in my home country you know? So I was supposed to leave earlier but no planes could get in. So I stay here for 10 days now. But I leave here tomorrow. I am very excited to return to my home country.

HI: What brought you to Chicago?
I came here to learn English. I was a lifeguard for 2 months in Wisconsin at Wisconsin Dells. But then I came here to know the city and to catch my flight home.

HI: But then you got stranded?
Yes

HI: What do you do back in Chile?
I study Business and Economy in Santiago.

HI: So what have you done here in the city?
Well, I went with the hostel for the free tour. I went to the restaurant of Al Capone.

HI: The Green Mill?
Yes

HI: Yeah that’s a great place.
Yes. And I went to the bar neighborhood, Addison and Lincoln Park. The Field Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art.

HI: Which of the museums was your favorite?
The Contemporary Art. Yes it was very good (smiles) a lot of famous art like Picasso and Monett. The Magnificent Mile was very amazing too. And the Navy Pier I liked too.

HI: Wow you have seen a lot of the city!
Yes. I stay here for 10 days and I walk all over. (laughs)

HI: Yeah I bet! So are you excited to back to Chile?
Yes, I miss my family a lot.

HI: Is your family okay from the earthquake?
Yes all of them are fine, but my city is destroyed. The city is made of really old buildings, so they are all destroyed. The new buildings, they are all okay, but everything else is gone.

HI: Wow, I bet that will be strange to go back and see all that!
Yes, very strange.

HI: Well, thanks for talking with me! I hope you have a safe trip back and enjoy being at home finally!
Yes thank you. Goodbye.

HI: Bye!

Traveler Interview: The guitarist

This traveler was in the dinning hall playing his guitar for the hostel one morning. We wanted to get his story and learn more about him!


What is your name?
Martin Saville

Where are you from?
I was born in South Africa and I was raised in the UK.


How long have you been in Chicago?
On and off for about 4 months I would say

What are you doing here?
Well I was working for 6 flags, then when the season ended I went to live with some family in Tennessee. I just missed Chicago so I came back! (smiles) I am looking for jobs and an apartment. So I’m playing in train stations and bars for now, thank goodness for that so at least I can sustain myself. (laughs) I’m staying in the hostel until I can get an apartment.

When did you first start playing music?
Well I’ve been singing since I was born (laughs) and guitar…for about 3 or 4 years now.

Wow! That’s not a very long time!
Yeah

What style do you like to play?
Well soft rock is my favorite. But I like to have a lot of rhythm so I put that in there too. (smiles) So a lot of soft rock with good rhythm

Have you played anywhere else other than Chicago?Yeah! (smiles) I played in Memphis for a while. I got to open for the Wailers. That is my biggest achievement. My inspirations are Bob Marley and John Lennon and stuff. So it was really cool to open for the guys who knew Bob Marley personally! (smiles) Yeah but I messed up the opening set. (laughs) You know there were so many nerves and pressure, that I just messed the whole thing up. But I kept going and it was fine (laughs.)

Do you have an interesting story of something that has happened while you have been in Chicago playing?
Oh yeah! Lots of interesting stories (laughs). One about music…well just the other day I was at the train station playing. And one of my guitar strings broke. (smiles) That was the first time that had ever happened to me before. It’s one of those things that as a musician you know it will happen sometime but you don’t ever plan for it. So the way I got around it was I just kept playing! (laughs) It was okay.

So how long are you staying here at the hostel?
Well until I can find an apartment. I just got a job so I start on Friday. So I’m hoping in a week I will have an apartment.

Well good luck! And thanks for talking with me!
Yeah no problem, enjoy your day!

A Great Winter Vacation Stop with a Nearby Hostel

For those of you who are sick of this winter climate, I just discovered a very quaint and historic Florida destination. It is Saint Augustine, the oldest city in the United States. Archeologists think this city had its beginning as an Indian village called Seloy, in what is now a national archeological park. In the year 1513 the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon landed near here while searching for the fabled “Fountain of Youth”.

Ponce de Leon was an explorer and named the land for Spain. Other explorers who followed, later concluded that an investment in the land was not worthwhile. It was filled with dangerous animals like alligators and snakes, as well as insects. Also, European agriculture did not prosper on the coasts. Based on these conclusions, the Spanish simply ignored risky Florida.

In 1562 however, French protestants arrived to settle there. In 1565 Admiral Don Pedro Menendez set sail from Spain to conquer Florida and on the feast day of St. Augustine, August 28, he sailed through an inlet and named the area after the saint. The town of St. Augustine fulfilled one of its major roles – serving as a haven for the treasure fleets on their way home to Spain.

Afterwards the English came and started a colony nearby. The city was later attacked by British ships. It was at this point that the Spanish Crown decided to invest in the construction of a massive fort. The Castillo was built and was never captured. St. Augustine remained a Spanish colony until the Treaty of Paris in 1763 when it was given to England.

The Castillo de San Marcos, built 1672-1695, has long protected the city and has been used under Spanish, American and British forces. It was made a National Monument in 1924.

In the city there is also a living history museum depicting the life of
Spanish soldiers and their families in 1740. Visitors will see the blacksmith, carpenter,leather work and other crafts of the 18th century. Houses where the
soldiers and their families lived, gardened and prepared food are also depicted.

The city of St. Augustine is beautiful and quaint. It is a must-see. FYI, it has a hostel near the center of the city as well.

-Marilyn Williams, Hostel Volunteer

Peace Love and Hostelling! Fun, friends and fundraising

HI-Chicago thrives because of the support of so many people including staff, volunteers, travelers, organizational partners, teachers, students and in particular our donors big and small. Thank you!


Four times a year we get our friends together for Peace Love and Hostelling happy hours. We raise money for education at the hostel and raise a glass to toast our working together for a more peaceful planet. The turnout was great at our most recent event at Waterhouse Tavern and Grill at Paulina and Lincoln. Waterhouse was generous giving us plenty of room with our own bar and bartender. The Winter Olympics where on the big tv’s in the background and after a busy week, everyone was in the mood to relax, make new friends and enjoy the excellent beers on tap.

The forty-five supporters that came out on Friday night included volunteers, staff, board members, teachers, friends of the hostel and friends of friends. As a nonprofit, HI-Chicago depends on the support of donors to fund the educational programs for students here in the Chicago area. The money raised at Waterhouse enables teachers and their classrooms to participate in peace-building programs like Cultural Kitchen and Exchange Neighborhoods. Each year we struggle to meet the increasing demand from teachers, students and their schools for our programs. Every dollar raised helps fund a student. Thank you.



Our next Peace Love and Hostelling will be a very special one. On Wednesday, June 9th we join forces with one of the hostel’s great attraction partners, Bobby’s Bike Hike, for a cycling fundraiser. Ride along the lakefront with new and old friends and support a great cause, Hostelling International Chicago. I hope to see you then, and bring your camera for great skyline photos!

Grab a pint at Waterhouse Tavern & Grill
Go on a bike tour of Chicago with Bobby’s Bike Hike