Martin Luther King, Jr. Mural Competition: Final Post!

This post will wrap up an ongoing blog series that showcases the murals that have been on display in our hostel this February in celebration of the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. Student artists were selected to create individual murals on the 2nd floor windows of Hostelling International Chicago. The artists intalled their work throughout the first two weeks of January. Here are the final two!

April Son, Zebadiah Arrington & Suhyung Go
School of the Art Institute of Chicago

"We've been kept inside of walls from fears that came when communication failed. Looking through the windows, we've missed a lot of chances. We've made enough mistakes every time we've tried to reach out further.

However, the time to go out always comes back just like the hands on clocks circle around. It's time to step back from the window and walk toward the doors again. We believe this is the message through the history of struggling for humanity, which Martin Luther King, Jr. also believed in.

Three individuals stand together in front of Window to put this together spontaneously for dreaming a perfection of communication. This piece is inviting and welcoming the viewers not only to appreciate it, but also to step back and look outside of the window. Black and White means a fairness of the difference. Every individual is as important as the next one. And everything has existed by sharing things, not dividing in mathematics. The unify and connectivity of biological geometry that is within all of us is a key symbol of understanding the equality for all."

James Teague & Cheryl Thomas
Hostelling International Chicago staff

"At some point in life we decide what's next for us! For some, it's not always a conscious choice. For others, it's not a choice that we make as much as it is made for us. Yet still, for some it is written in the stars for us and we simply do our best to live up to that.

For Dr. King, his path was, we believe, both focused and incidental. You see the picture of him during what I feel is in contemplation early in his life. Possibly a moment when fate intervened and his destiny was revealed to him? The yellow foot prints represent his fear of this dark path, and that of those who knew and supported him. The process of not knowing what is ahead of him, but knowing he must journey onward.

The red foot prints represent his commitment and resolve to make this world a better place for all and the price of his pursuit - his life. With many threats to his life and that of his family and his friends being murdered around him - he did not stop. Even in death.

Finally, his journey culminates at his final and lasting resting place - hoping that in death he can still impact life. And he has!

Many people that we know can attest to the ideology of the title of the window...the poor kid who makes it out of "the 'hood" to play pro-ball; the driven student who makes it to Harvard to receive his new law degree; the lost child who finds her fame and focus in front of an audience that she connects with. Life is about our commitment to being more, doing more, having more - it is about the journey. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s journey was to follow the path on which he believed that GOD had placed him.

What is your journey? Where will it lead you? Will it end at your death? Focus, drive, commitment is what gets that one foot in front of the other. Will it lead you to your destiny?"

We hope you've enjoyed this series of posts about the murals, and that you got a chance to come check out the murals in person for yourselves! For more information about this competition, and if you'd be interested in participating next year, please check out our website.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Mural Series, Part 4!

This is the fourth part in a series in which we are highlighting entries from our 6th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Mural Competition. Student artists in the Chicago area were selected for the Competition based on their current portfolios. Congratulations to all our 2012 Competition participants! Come take a look and maybe even get inspired to enter the competition yourself next year!

Jacqueline Renee Friedberg

School of the Art Institute of Chicago, '12

"We all have dreams. When we work together, we can make these dreams reality. This statement has been proven through the leadership of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his followers. His words can still be heard and the actions we take today can still result in civil justice."

Ahyun Kim

School of the Art Institute of Chicago, '12 

"Water gives life to every living being. It spreads to all directions and reaches to every life form without any discrimination. This relationship between water and life resembles the strong will of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his influence on human rights. Martin Luther King, Jr. constantly worked for civil rights and never stopped. His incredibly hard work reaches to individuals all over the world today and even to the future. I wanted to emphasize these great influences of Martin Luther King, Jr. by painting him making a big stream. Finally, the mighty stream bonds everyone together as a whole."

*The murals are on display through March at Hostelling International Chicago, 24 East Congress Parkway. The exhibition is free and open to the public for viewing between 9am and 9pm, seven days a week. Check out our website for more information and the complete gallery! Don't forget to check out part 1, part 2, and part 3 of the series, and have a lovely Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday!

Martin Luther King Murals, Continued!

This is the third part in a series in which we are highlighting entries from our 6th annual Martin Luther King Mural Competition. Student artists in the Chicago area were selected for the Competition based on their current portfolios. Congratulation to all our 2012 Competition participants! Come take a look and maybe even get inspired to enter the competition yourself next year!

Skech 185 / Willie MacIntyre & Louder Than A Bomb Poets
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s well-known phrase - "until justice rolls down like waters" - has the same rhetorical power as it did August 28, 1963, but the words themselves sound different after more than 50 years, especially when spoken from the mouths of Chicago's young people. Today, Chicago is known as the most racially segregated city in the United States. Chicago Speaks presents the sounds of a segregated city in conversation. We are asking, "what does integration sound like?"

This mural project is a fusion of Chicago-based histories in poetry and imagery from Louder Than A Bomb poets to explore the conflation of integration and diversity. As a text based mural, coupled with images of Chicago's youth, the work is similar to a 21st Century Greek Chourus resounding in multi-voice narratives. This is what Chicago sounds like!

Seonjoo Cho, nighttime photo of artwork

Seonjoo Cho, daytime photo of artwork

Seonjoo Cho

School of the Art Institute of Chicago, '13
"We need both white and black keys to make music. That is the reason for coexistence."

*The murals are on display through March at Hostelling International Chicago, 24 East Congress Parkway. The exhibition is free and open to the public for viewing between 9am and 9pm, seven days a week. Check out our website for more information and the complete gallery! Don't forget to check out part 1 and part 2 of the series, and have a lovely Valentine's Day!

Traveler Spotlight: Johnny & Ed

This morning during breakfast, I had the pleasure of meeting Johnny and Ed - two very interesting fellows from the UK.

Johnny and Ed are old friends from university and have been exploring Chicago together for the past week. Johnny is currently on a five month sabbatical and has already visited Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, New York City, and Chicago is his last and final stop on his trip before returning back to his job in Wales at the end of this week. Ed, on the other hand, took a week off work from his job in London to visit Chicago and meet up with Johnny.

They were drawn to Chicago because many of their friends from the UK who previously visited just raved about the city so they were curious to see it for themselves. Since they’re at the very end of their trip (and budgets) they’ve been finding free and cheap things to do around Chicago. So far they’ve visited the Art Institute of Chicago, Improv Olympics comedy show, and Buddy Guy’s Legends Blues Club. Today they’re planning to check out the Museum of Contemporary Photography, attend another improv show, and eat more Chicago-style deep dish pizza. Have fun! 

Interview by Kim Pitingolo 

Traveler Spotlight: Gustavo

As I was wandering around breakfast at the hostel this morning, trying to snag a cup of free coffee, I noticed Gustavo sitting quietly at a table by himself. He was one of the few hostelers enjoying breakfast without a laptop in front of him, and I took this as an invitation to interrupt his solace for a quick Traveler Spotlight interview.

Originally from Brazil, Gustavo is currently traveling for about a month and a half through the US to audition for a place in a music academy. I know -- he's Brazilian, he has great hair, and he's a musician? Almost too good to be true. He'll be here for another week or so, ladies.

So far he has wandered around Millennium Park, taken a look at his reflection in the Bean, and checked out some of the many theaters scattered throughout the downtown area. He seems unfazed by the cold weather and eager to keep exploring. He told me that he's hoping to sneak a peek inside the famous Chicago Theatre on State Street -- who knows, maybe he'll even get to perform there someday? He has an audition on Saturday for a place at Roosevelt University, and then he's off to the next city and the next audition. After that, it's back to Brazil to play the waiting game until May, which is when he should start hearing back from the universities. Good luck, Gustavo!


Interview by Jackie DesForges

Weekend Update: Hosteller Style

If you thought that Chicago had run out of neighborhoods to have festivals in, you were dead wrong. In fact, this weekend is jam-packed with fests everywhere you look, from big ones like Pitchfork Music Festival to the lesser known Tour de Fat (that's actually what it is called). Read on for your weekend update from your friends at HI-Chicago!

Pitchfork Music Festival: July 15 – 17 (Fri 3-10pm, Sat/Sun 12-10pm

This indie alternative to the bigger music festivals like Lollapalooza has an amazing line-up this year, including Animal Collective, Fleet Foxes, TV on the Radio, James Blake and more! Union Park promises to be packed this weekend, so if you’re not planning on going to the festival, find a different route home! That said, you should definitely go to the festival. It’s seriously awesome. Tickets are still available on-site for Friday and Saturday! $45/day.

Tour de Fat: July 16, 9am-4pm

Ok, so while I had a lot of fun imagining food eating contests, deep fried Oreos, and a liposuction tent, this is actually cooler, and a lot less gross. This annual bike and environmental fest is hosted by Colorado’s New Belgium Brewery, the makers of Fat Tire beer (a-hah, it all makes sense now). The event will have live music by Dovekins and Mucca Pazza, a bike parade, a car/bike swap—which is maybe the coolest crazy idea I’ve heard in a while (see below for more details), and of course, tons of Fat Tire brews for sale. The brewery is making stops in 13 cities across the country (biking, of course) to promote environmental awareness and bike use – how awesome is that?

What is the car/bike swap, you may ask? In their words…It's when one fortunate soul hands over their car, title and keys to the Tour de Fat altar in exchange for a bike. Not just any bike, a New Belgium, fully-loaded, hand-crafted, Fort Collins-built commuter bike. There's 13 Tour de Fat stops - surely one near you - and that's 13 car/bike trade opportunities. It's about weaning yourself off the petroleum teat. It's about becoming a better, sexier person. It's about rediscovering the cultural thrill of public transportation. One year's time is the minimum commitment – commuting is your sentence.

Taste of River North: July 15 – 17 (Fri 5-10pm, Sat 12-10pm, Sun 11am-6pm)

Food and drink tickets for $1 each get you meals from some of the best restaurants in the area, including Citizen Bar, Green Door Tavern, Moe’s Cantina, and more! Galleries and shops will all be set up in the park, along with live music from Sixteen Candles and others. Pet and kid friendly! $5 donation.

Lincoln Park Arts and Music Festival: July 16 – 17, 12-10pm

Great music, fantastic artists, and tons of food and drink vendors will be over at Racine Ave this weekend for the Lincoln Park Arts and Music Festival. Headliners the Freddy Jones Band and Trevor Hall will be performing, along with tons of other local talent. What sets this apart from all the other festivals, you ask? Not much really. But why mess with success? $5 donation.

Old St. Pat’s World’s Largest Block Party: July 15 – 16, 5:30-10:30pm

While the qualification of world’s largest block party hasn’t been proven, Old St. Pat’s is still HUGE. Over 18,000 are expected to attend this annual fest, and vendors will be offering all your regular fest foods, as well as noodles! But noodles aren’t the best part of this festival; the price of admission allows you into all of the shows and even includes 5 drink tickets for beer, wine, pop (see? I’ve been in Chicago for too long) and water! Also, the line-up has some awesome big name bands, including Barenaked Ladies (remember them??), Plain White T’s, and Cobra Starship! $40/day in advance, $45/day at door.

Chinatown Summer Fair: July 17, 10am-8pm

Head to Chinatown for this annual neighborhood festival with music, dance performances, and tons of food from restaurants and street vendors in the area. But most importantly, it features a colorful lion and dragon dance procession lead by none other than Ronald McDonald – and yes, it will make more sense once I tell you that McDonald’s is hosting the festival…but it’s still weirdly cool.

Get out and enjoy this beautiful weekend, and we here at the hostel will be doing the same!

Stay groovy!

Written by: Keren Mikva

Travelixir: Festivus in July!

Travel bug? Feeling grounded? TRAVELIXIR: Festivus in July to the rescue! Come join Chicagoans who love to travel, those that aspire to travel, and HI-Chicago guests and get your wings back.

WHEN: Wednesday, July 20th from 7-10pm

WHERE: Butterfly Social Club, 722 W Grand Ave - right off the Grand Blue Line stop

WHAT: A FREE party sponsored by HI-Chicago and STA Travel to help you beat your wanderlust blues


PHOTO CONTEST: A travel photo contest - party-goers vote on their favorite, and the winner gets a $150 travel voucher (good for airfare, accommodations, and other travel-related costs)

AND EVEN MORE: Free giveaways, food samples, world music DJ, dancing, networking with like-minded internationalists

DRINK SPECIALS: $5 Absolut cocktails & $1 off all beers (and free shot with the purchase of any beer!)

***ENTER THE CONTEST***
E-mail TRAVELIXIR@hiusa.org with 1 photo from your travels that depicts a holiday or festival (Holi in India, Carnivale in Brazil, Semana Santa in Spain, a hot dog eating festival in Texas - be creative!). Include a title for your photo. Submit your photos by Tuesday, July 19th at 5pm. You must be present at the party to win! Follow the photo submissions on HI-Chicago's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HostellingInternationalChicago.

Come join us & become part of Chicago's hostelling community!

Pay Chicago a Visit This Summer

Sunny and Humid (With a 100% Chance of Fun)
By Jessica Smith

Ask Chicagoans how they deal with the frigid and lengthy winters, and they'll likely give you a response somewhere along the lines of "Oh, but the summers make it sooo worth it." This week, as we near the end of April and we feel some sort of entitlement to springtime bliss, there's no doubt that Chicagoans are feeling a little bitter about the snow that's accumulating on our budding gardens (real or metaphorical gardens, either way we're not happy about fickle temperatures freezing them over). But let's not forget how soon warm weather and summer programming will be a reality. It's time for locals to get excited about summer, and travelers to begin plotting their trips - here are just a few reminders why:


> FREE MUSIC
On any given Thursday night in summer, you can listen to Mongolian folk music, Gypsy electronic dance, and Brazilian samba in Pritzker Pavillion as part of the Music Without Borders series. On any given Monday night, you can hear indie favorites like Iron and Wine, Blonde Redhead, and Ted Leo and the Pharmacists thanks to the Downtown Sound: New Music Monday series. And just about every other night of the week features more music, as part of the Grant Park Music Festival and World Class Jazz series. All for FREE, picnics and BYOB welcome, with our glowing city as a backdrop. So. Good.

> BIG-NAME MUSIC FESTS

Dave Matthew Band's Caravan Music Festival - Lakeside
When: July 8-10
Cost: $195 for a 3-day pass (no word of 1-day passes being available at this time)
In the inaugural year of this concept, Dave Matthews Band is bringing their multi-city music festival to the south side of Chicago for a big weekend of folky, jammy, and soulful music. The line-up is almost fully announced and includes David Gray, the Flaming Lips, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Kid Cudi, and more. Of course, the namesake DMB will be playing a full-length set on each night. http://www.dmbcaravan.com/

Pitchfork Music Festival - Union Park
When: July 15-17
Cost:$45 for a 1-day pass (3-day passes are sold out)
Pitchfork is the lower-key, yet slightly edgier little sister of Lollapalooza, now in its 6th year at Union Park. Animal Collective, Neko Case, Fleet Foxes, Toro y Moi, and many more - they're still announcing bands. http://www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com/

Lollapalooza Music Festival - Grant Park
When: August 5-7
Cost: $215 for a 3-day pass, $90 for a single-day pass (not yet available)
Lolla, with it's steamy early August temperatures, at-times rowdy crowds, and sprawling fest grounds in Grant Park, is not for the faint of heart. Being part of the chaos at least once is a great thing to cross off your bucket list, though! It's the 20th Anniversary this summer, so hopes are high for an extra great lineup (which will be announced on April 26th) http://lineup.lollapalooza.com/



North Coast Music Festival - Union Park
When: September 2-4
Cost: $40 for a day pass, $95 for a 3-day pass
In its second year, the North Coast Music Festival will continue to deliver a progressive serving of electronica, MCs, jambands and everything in between. Featuring Wiz Khalifa, Thievery Corporation, Common, Lotus, Neon Indian, with many more to be announced soon. http://lineup.northcoastfestival.com/


> NEW NOTABLE FESTS

Wine Riot - Union Station, Downtown
When: May 21
Cost: $45-50
Tour wines of the world with 250 different samples and wine seminars, as well as a photo booth, DJs and food pairings. Not cheap, but a great deal for the wine fanatics among us.

SausageFest - Wrigleville
When: June 4 & 5
Cost: $5-7
Formerly the Lake View Music Festival, Wrigleyville's new (giggle-inducing yet aptly named) SausageFest will feature slight re-branding but still retain music, arts and craft vendors and food from area restaurants, specifically encased meats. Smoking Popes, Sixteen Candles, and more artists TBA.

Street Food Artistry - River West
When: August 14
Cost: TBA
Considering how popular food trucks have become in just the few months since they were approved by the city, it's not surprising that there will now be a whole day to celebrate them! This festival of Chicago's food trucks and street-inspired dishes will include food samples, cooking demonstrations, a mixology class and a performance by Soul People.

Ravenswood Remix - Ravenswood
When: September 3 & 4
Cost: $5 donation
The inaugural fest features art made from recycled, found and reused materials by more than 125 artists. Food and drinks from forward-thinking vendors also available, along with live music and a variety of workshops.

For the complete listings of summer festivals, check out Metromix's 2011 Festival Guide.


> OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

Find Some Grass
The simplest way to enjoy the outdoors in Chicago is just to find a big, open grassy area in one of our many parks or boulevards. Grant Park and Lincoln Park are the favorites, but don't forget about smaller green spaces such as Oz Park in Lincoln Park, Hamlin Park in Roscoe Village, and the boulevards in Logan Square. Picnic, play Frisbee, start a pick-up game of soccer - surely you don't have to be told how to have fun in a beautiful park!


Beachy Times
Oak Street Beach epitomizes a city beach, due to its central location right off of Michigan Avenue below the majestic skyline of downtown Chicago. It also happens to be very clean, quaint, and relatively quiet compared to other beaches. And then there's North Avenue Beach, which is the epicenter of the fun-loving summer social scene. You can play beach volleyball, soak up rays, people-watch, and party at one of the beachfront bars - just don't come here for a day of quiet reflection. If you're goal isn't to see and be seen, then you might be better off at Foster Avenue Beach, a huge oasis of sand on the far north side that caters to the more family-friendly and serenity-seeking bunch. On the completely opposite side of the city, the 57th Street Beach in Hyde Park is another beach that is less of a scene and more of a place to unwind and enjoy the summer heat. A long day at the Museum of Science and Industry is wonderfully capped off by a visit to this beach.

Two-Wheelin'
While there are plenty of Chicagoans who bravely cycle through the city all year round, most of us hold off until summertime to use this as our primary mode of transportation. For those who are starting from scratch without a bike, you can always test out your biking abilities by renting one from Bobby's Bike Hike, a great company that offers a $20 a day ($25 on the weekends) bike rental deal to HI-Chicago. And although it has yet to gain the sweeping popularity that it has in cities such as Paris or Montreal, Chicago does have a bike sharing program called BCycle. For those that are already set with their own bikes, the 18-mile paved lakefront trail offers uninterrupted cycling bliss. If you're interested in becoming a better urban cyclist, the Active Transportation Alliance offers great bike workshops and organizes big-scale events like Bike the Drive and Boulevard Lakefront Tour.

Book your hostel beds at HI-Chicago and get ready for a great summer adventure!

Things to do on Christmas Day

Traveling in Chicago over Christmas? Don't get stuck with nothing to do on the holiday!

Here's a selection of places that are open on X-mas Day!

RESTAURANTS
• Dragon Court: This is one of the best restaurants in Chinatown (almost all the restaurants in Chinatown will be open on Christmas Day!). The menu is Cantonese and specializes in seafood. Hours: 8am-2am Directions: Take a right out of the hostel and walk west to Clark St. Pick up bus #24 Wentworth Southbound and get off at 24th and Wentworth. The restaurant is at 2414 S Wentworth Avenue.
• Sushi Samba Rio: Try something different for Christmas dinner at Sushisamba Rio, which will offer its full menu on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Selections on its eclectic Japanese/Brazilian/Peruvian menu include items from the raw bar, Japanese style Kobe beef, various ceviches and sashimi tiraditos as well as Brazilian style churrasco. Price: Entrees cost between $20-$40 Hours: Noon-2am Directions: Take a right out of the hostel and a right onto State Street. Pick up the brown line at State/Van Buren and get off at Merchandise Mart. Walk two blocks north to 504 N. Wells Street/
• Ann Sathers: Classic holiday fare at the Lakeview location of Chicago’s favorite Swedish restaurant. Hours: 7am-7pm Price: $18.95 for a 3-course meal Directions: Take the Red Line (towards Howard) to Belmont. Take a right out of the station and walk a block to 909 W. Belmont Avenue.
• Buca di Beppo: Family-style Italian food. Great for groups or leftovers! Get a coupon at the hostel’s info desk! Hours: 10am-11pm Directions: Take the red line (towards Howard) to Grand. Walk one block east to Rush. 521 North Rush Street.

MOVIE THEATERS
• All movie theaters are open on Christmas. Try the Kerasotes Roosevelt at 150 W Roosevelt Rd, AMC Loews at 600 North Michigan Avenue or the AMC theaters River East at 322 East Illinois Street.

MUSEUMS/ACTIVITIES
• Millennium Park Ice-Skating
Skating in Millennium Park is free and open to the public. Enjoy this favorite winter activity in the heart of Chicago. Hours: 10am-4pm Price: Skate rental is available for $10. Directions: Walk left out the hostel, then two blocks to Michigan Ave. Walk up Michigan six blocks. The ice rink is located on Michigan Avenue between Washington and Madison Streets.
• Garfield Park Conservatory
One of the largest and most impressive conservatories in the United States. Often referred to as "landscape art under glass," the Garfield Park Conservatory occupies approximately 4.5 acres (18,000 m²) inside and out and contains a number of permanent plant exhibits incorporating specimens from around the world (including some ferns that are over 300 years old). Additionally, thousands of plants are grown there each year for displays in Chicago parks and public spaces. Hours: 9am-5pm Price: Free and open to the public. Directions: Take the Green line towards Harlem. Get off at the Conservatory-Central Park stop.
• Also Open: Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Lincoln Park Zoo & Conservatory, Willis Tower, and Hancock Observatory (buy tickets to Willis and Hancock at the front desk).

NIGHTLIFE
• Kingston Mines Blues (21+)
Go to Kingston Mines for a full night of blues. Joanna Connor Blues Band plus Eric "Guitar" Davis and The Troublemakers and 8PM Acoustic Set with Joanna Connor. Hours: Acoustic set starts at 7:30pm Price: $12 with hostel coupon (at the info desk or front desk). Directions: Take the Red line towards Howard. Get off at Fullerton and walk east to Halsted. Take a left. The address is 2548 North Halsted Street.
• Smart Bar (21+)
A Smart Bar Christmas! Enjoy dancing to the sounds of RON TRENT, TEVO HOWARD (LIVE), SPECTER, LUIS BARO, and TIM BIARS. Hours: Starts at 10pm Price: FREE with hostel coupon (before midnight). $12 after Directions: Take the Red line towards Howard. Get off at Addison and walk west to Clark. Take a right and walk about 3 blocks. The address is 3730 North Clark Street.
• Crocodile Lounge (21+)
Dance the night away in Wicker Park at Crocodile Lounge at the “A Very Dirty Christmas” celebration. Free gourmet individual-sized pizza with the purchase of any beer! Hours: Starts at 9pm Price: Free with RSVP: http://chicago.going.com/event-865494;A_Very_Dirty_Christmas# Directions: Take the Blue Line (towards O’Hare). Get off at Damen. Take a left out of the station and a right onto Milwaukee Avenue. Walk less than 5 minutes to 1540 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Hostelling International 10 Year House Party

Announcing Hostelling International Chicago’s 10 Year Open House Party, on Wednesday, June 23rd from 4:30pm-8:00pm! Bring your friends to this FREE event and help us celebrate a decade of bringing the world to Chicago!

What: 10 Year House Party
When: Wednesday, June 23rd from 4:30-8:00pm
Where: HI-Chicago, 24 E Congress Parkway
Why: The 10 Year House Party will celebrate the hostel’s positive impact on tourism in Chicago as well as our strong educational mission for a more peaceful planet. Every year we host over 80,000 overnights and serve travelers from all over the world. Annually we reach 1500 local students through our school classroom-based curricula that teach young people the basic life skills of openmindedness and respect for diverse cultures. In today’s diverse and interconnected world, our mission of cultural understanding is important and impactful.

Event Features:

- Complimentary food donated by South Loop restaurants such as Cafecito, Dairy Queen, Exchequer Pub, Pauly’s Pizza, Tamarind and more.
- World beats spun by DJ Sound Culture and live performances from Tambours Sans Frontieres, Fandanguero, Gingarte Capoeira, and Ahmed Mahmoud.
- Great raffle prizes from STA Travel, Broadway in Chicago, REI, ComedySportz, Metro / Smart Bar, Bobby's Bike Hike, Shoreline Sightseeing and many more.
- Tours of the world’s best large hostel.
- A peek into your future adventures with tarot card readings by Adrienne Nothnagel.

Please come join us in the fun and nurture your wanderlust with friends from near and far!

Goodbyes

As the city heats up and the sun shines daily now, we are reminded that summer is finally on its way. The city lights up and we notice that Chicago really does have inhabitants. I love watching winter fade and warmer weather take its place. However, this year I welcome in the new season with mixed feelings. It is yet another reminder that my time at Hostelling International Chicago is ending.

Tomorrow I will spend my last day as an intern here in Chicago. Looking on to graduation that is rapidly approaching, excitement fills me. I am about to embark on a new adventure that has yet to take form. Regardless, it is an exciting point. At the same time, I am forced to look back on what I have learned and done this semester. Born and raised in a small town in Iowa, Chicago is definitely different than my usual atmosphere.

Starting at the end of January, small tasks such as managing public transportation seemed nearly impossible. “Which side of the tracks do I need to be on?” “How do I know I’m on the right bus? Where do I get off?” Even crossing the street was an educational experience! In my small town, the flashing orange hand means the light is changing, so stop. For Chicago that hand means, walk faster! After standing at a few corners way too long, a couple mistakes on the CTA, and pouring over maps, I finally transitioned. It quickly became second nature.

Aside from city life, Hostelling International Chicago also provided constant learning opportunities. Like many of you who stay with us each week, I knew very little about Chicago. For the first several weeks as I sat at the information desk, it felt like a crash and burn course on the city. So many random questions were thrown my way, and I hadn’t the slightest clue on how to answer them. Google was soon my favorite form of modern technology! HI travelers were always gracious as I explained that I just moved here myself and had no idea! I grew to love sitting down with a traveler and learning vast amounts about Chicago.

In addition to sitting at the information desk, I had the opportunity to interact with travelers daily. Attending hostel outings throughout Chicago, leading a walking tour every week, conducting focus groups, and eating lunch with groups of students all offered me the opportunity to learn so much. You as travelers were constantly teaching me new things about your own cultures and lives. One of my favorite parts of the internship was conducting interviews. So many of you were gracious enough to put up with my numerous questions and curiosities. It never ceased to amaze me the adventures you were on and the things you have seen! Through these interviews you also opened my eyes to Chicago. Without you I would have missed many of its treasures and quirks!

Interacting with so many different travelers throughout the semester also provided me with great amounts of laughter. There was always a funny story to be heard or hysterical situations to observe. If there was ever a slow day, I often found comic relief simply walking through the lobby. Whether it was making crepes with travelers in the kitchen, watching someone accidentally kick their flip flop in the fridge, or watching travelers dance to blues music, each has enriched my experience beyond words.

Over the past few months I have absolutely loved getting to know the heartbeat of Hostelling International Chicago. From the moment I interviewed for the internship, I knew I would love spending time here. A unique culture prevails within the beautiful downtown building. Staff members, volunteers, and travelers all create a great sense of community. So, thank you! Every one of you I have met these past months has contributed so much to my experience in Chicago. It will always be one of my favorite cities!

Best wishes on your own new adventures!
-Erika Ter Louw, HI intern

Traveler Interview

We met this traveler when he was coming through the free ice cream line. He was very excited, so we stopped to talk with him for a little while.

HI: What is your name?
My Japanese name or my English name? (laughing)

HI: Well both!
Jack is my English name yeah.

HI: What is your Japanese name?
Y as in yoke, A as in and, S as in sugar, U as in uncle, Y as in yoke, U as in uncle, K as in king, and I. (Yasuyuki)

HI: Perfect! So you are from Japan you said?
Exactly yeah.
HI: So what are you doing in Chicago?
Actually I’m here for pleasure. This is my first time in the States. Yeah. I will probably stay for 4 days, then I am planning to go to New York.

HI: How long will you be in New York?
I will be in New York for 5 days.

HI: Are you seeing just these two cities? Chicago and New York?
No probably not. Actually I did San Francisco. This is my second visit, Chicago is. Then New York, Canada Montreal. I can’t speak any French but its okay. Then Quebec City, then south to Boston. Then I will take the blue train from Boston to Washington D.C. This might be my last chance to visit the United States. So yeah. Probably for my final destination go to Vancouver. I already visited Vancouver though.

HI: Oh okay.
Yeah long time ago though.

HI: Wow this is a long trip!
Yeah it is. Yeah. I am a bit of a wanderer (laughing). I started to travel in my mid 20’s I had a walking visa. I went to Australia and New Zealand to study English then England. I go to English speaking countries to learn. The last 2 years I have been to South Korea to study Korean. Yeah. I am a language junkie. Next I want to study Chinese and visit China.

HI: Wow! That sounds great!
Yeah. But in Japan I work at a hotel as a receptionist. So it is very good for me. I need to know languages. It is a great help for me.

HI: Yeah for sure. So what have you done in Chicago?
Just all touristy, I don’t know much. I need to stay and extra day to get to the suburbs. I’m a stranger by myself. I have a guidebook with me so I have been browsing around shops. I did the tour yesterday.

HI: Oh did you? The hostel’s downtown tour?
Yeah yeah. The tour with George was very helpful for me. It was really you know…George told lots about historic Chicago and culture. It was great help for me. Last night I went to the Jazz bar too.

HI: Yeah Kingston Mines! Was it good?
Yeah it was pretty good. There were lots of people, around 25. Unfortunately there was not enough time to talk to everyone. Yeah. Not enough time to talk to each person but it was a good time.
HI: Well I’m glad you liked it! Have you enjoyed your stay at the hostel?
Oh Yeah! Before Chicago I stayed in San Francisco downtown but yeah…no free tours for us and free ice cream. I was amazed at here. It is pretty good for me. I really enjoyed myself. I didn’t know but Chicago is famous for the windy city. I went to Navy Pier this morning and there were really gusty winds. Really cold.

HI: (laughing) Yup, it is usually like that.
I didn’t know that. It is still freezing cold.

HI: It is better in the summer. But you are right, now it is still pretty cold.
Yeah yeah
HI: Well thanks for talking with me! I will let you enjoy your ice cream now!
Yeah yeah thank you.

Summer in Chicago

Welcome to Chicago! By now, you probably have found out that this is a “City of Broad Shoulders”, Blues Brothers, Al Capone, Michael Jordan, and deep dish pizza. But besides these well known symbols of Chicago, what does Chicago have to offer to its visitors? The answer is everything!

One of the wonderful things that Chicagoans truly appreciate about their city is the broad range of activities that will suit nearly anyone. While there are many other cities in the world that are bustling with culture and round-the-clock activity, Chicago offers a wonderful balance between large city adventure and small town coziness.

As flowers begin to blossom and a new leaves spring up on trees, the entire city of Chicago awakens from its winter slumber. Although, our Chicago winters have been known to intimidate many, Chicago residents believe our colder season builds character, and forces us to truly appreciate our warmer months.

With that said, over the next several weeks I would like to share with you the top 10 activities to do in Chicago during the next few months, in no particular order.

Attend a Cubs Game at Wrigley Field - If you are visiting from another state, chances are that someone has already recommended a visit to Wrigley Field. This modern day shrine to baseball is the second oldest baseball park currently used in the Major Leagues. A trip to Wrigley, can easily transport a baseball aficionado to an era of baseball long gone. However, if baseball isn’t your cup of tea, you’ll definitely find a great party in the stands. Before and after the games, I highly recommend visiting the bars surrounding Wrigley Field, an area residents have come to call Wrigleyville. You will find bar after bar on Clark Street, making it ideal for pub crawls even on a day when the Cubs are not playing. The drink prices are quite affordable and the atmosphere is very casual. Best way to get to Wrigley is on the “El”, getting off at the Addison stop on the Red line.

For the Cubs schedule visit http://sports.chicagotribune.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=chicagosports&page=mlb/teams/002/scheduleCT.aspx?team=002,season=2010

Go to a Blues Bar – It’s no coincidence that the Blues Brothers films have been filmed in Chicago. Chicago has a long standing reputation of being one of the premier blues destinations in the entire nation. The multitude of blues clubs can be found throughout the city. For a unique night of true Chicago blues, the Hostel offers free tours to Kingston Mines nearly every Monday evening. Kingston Mines provides a very casual laid back atmosphere, inexpensive drinks, free entrance (to Hostel groups or students) and wonderful music played by some of Chicago’s most talented musicians. If you love blues, definitely check out the Chicago Blues Festival in Grant Park (June 11-13), the largest outdoor blues event in the world. With good music and the amazing Chicago skyline behind you, you are sure to have a wonderful time.

-Peter Razumovskiy, HI Volunteer

Cultural Kitchen with Christopher House

Hostelling International Chicago is a wonderful place to stay, with a great staff, clean and comfy rooms, and an unmatchable location in downtown Chicago. In addition to these advantages, HIChicago offers several education programs for Chicago students. One of these programs, appropriately named "Cultural Kitchen", challenges students to explore cultures outside their own and then spend a night at the hostel.

A typical Cultural Kitchen begins outside the hostel, when one of HIChicago's education staff visits a classroom of students at the their school. After learning about the program, the students vote on one country to study. In the following weeks, they study the culture of that country, researching topics like religion, geography, food, dress, traditions, and more. Although it is very educational, this part of the program is only the beginning of the students' learning experience.

After researching, the class travel downtown to Hostelling International Chicago. While at the hostel, they cook a typical meal from the country they studied, share the meal with hostel guests, present their research, and finally stay overnight. Most students learn a ton, and their reactions demonstrate the importance of intercultural experiences.

A Cultural Kitchen happens almost every week, but the group that came on March 31 made a unique impression. The group was not from a Chicago high school, which is the usual case, but from a community organization named Christopher House. The youth studied the country of India and then cooked a wonderful Indian meal -- Vegetable Curry, Potatoes and Spinach in Cream, Chicken Tikka Masala, and Coconut Bars (Nariyal Burfi) for dessert. The food was delicious, but it was topped by their presentation afterwards.

After dinner, the Christopher House students presented a slide show about India. In addition to painting a beautiful picture of this country and its culture, several students shared about their own cultures and backgrounds. The hostel guests learned even more about Nigeria, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and even Chicago. The presentations were very interesting and fun, as was the game afterwards, but it was most rewarding to hear the reactions of the students. In the end, Cultural Kitchen was not just another research project for them, but an opportunity for each student to get to know world cultures more. They themselves responded by saying things like "Learning about other cultures opens our minds to new things", "Cultural understanding helps build peace in our world", and "Learning about other cultures is good practice before we travel". On top of that, they all got to explore their own heritage more and become more familiar with their own cultures.

It is very rewarding to see this kind of influence that cultures, travel, and hostels can have on the youth of today. Most Chicago youth rarely get the opportunity to leave the country, but they are able to "travel" to new places by studying them, talking to travelers, and staying at the hostel downtown. Cultural Kitchen is an excellent program that offers so much for Chicago youth. And those guests that sign up to attend get some excellent food, learn more about other countries, and may even get to learn about the heritage of students in Chicago! What a program!

-Ben Wickstrom, HI-Chicago education intern

No Way Out!

The volcanic eruption in Iceland has wreaked havoc on the traveling industry across the world. Tour groups, backpackers, and business travelers alike are stuck in their current locations with no idea when they will be able to return home. Chicago is no different. Hostelling International Chicago has several travelers and groups who are unsure of how long their unexpected ‘vacation’ will last.

I caught up with one traveler in the hostel, Catherine King who is from Australia and now living in London. Her flight was supposed to leave on Wednesday April 14. Cat was traveling in the United States and fully expected to be home a week ago. Last Wednesday she boarded the plane and took off for London. However four hours into the flight, the pilot announced they were going to be turning back to Chicago. Laughing she said, “I gave it a test run. That same plane has not left yet and I liked the flight, it was a good plane so that is good! ” Cat managed to get another seat on a flight the next day, Thursday April 15. However, after checking in, the flight was then canceled. Cat has been in close contact with her travel agent back in London for the past week. Thankfully he was able to get her a seat on a flight for tomorrow, Wednesday April 21. Exactly one week later than she was originally scheduled to flight, Cat is still hoping the flight takes off. Third time is a charm right?



Despite the mess it has created, Cat remains positive. She said, “You just have to make the best of it!” The first night the airport gave Cat a voucher for the Hyatt. However, when Cat realized that her flight would not leave for another 6 days, she decided to come back to the hostel. She preferred to be downtown with things to do and the ability to meet people. “I could be out there at a really nice hotel for free, but it would be out by the airport. I would just be sitting in the hotel for four days,” Cat said.

When asked what she was doing about work, Cat said they are understanding: “There is really nothing they can do about it. I have been emailing them and staying in contact, but they know I can’t help it.” Cat works for a University in London in the lab, therefore working from Chicago is impossible. Two of her co-workers are also stuck, one in China and the other in Canada. Aside from work, Cat has also missed out on several other plans in the past week. Two of her friends celebrated their birthdays last weekend and she also had plans to take another trip next weekend. However, with the talk of no flights in the near future, she is unsure if those plans will go through as well. “My birthday is next week too. I really want to be home by then so I can celebrate with my friends,” says Cat.

Nonetheless, Cat is making the most of her stay in Chicago. She has been able to visit more of the museums around the city and she has attended several more of the outings with the hostel. If her flight does not go through tomorrow, she plans to take a bus out of the city and visit another city close by to Chicago; possibly Milwaukee. If this does happen her travel agent was able to hold a seat for her on a flight leaving Saturday April 24. This flight will be going through Calgary Canada. Keeping her positive attitude, Cat laughed and said if she gets stuck there she will at least get to see Canada too!

Cat is not the only stranded traveler at the hostel. Michael Baker, from the UK,
and Boris Hupkens Van DerElst, from the Netherlands,

are both hoping to leave soon. Michael has a flight on Saturday leaving Chicago, but he is already expecting to have it cancelled. Unfortunately because of the large number of travelers at the hostel, we are booked up for the next couple of nights. So Michael is trying to find another place to stay in Chicago until then. Boris managed to get a seat on a flight scheduled to leave today, however it was also cancelled. So, he was forced to make yet another change in plans. He is now flying to Houston and then to Frankfort. Both Boris and Michael were also keeping positive attitudes. They acknowledged that there was nothing you could do about it now, so you might as well make the best of your extended vacation.

So if you find yourself stuck with no sign of returning home in the near future, take advantage of it! Stay at hostels and meet other travelers who are in the same position. Let your frustrations with air travel be a bonding experience! If you are staying at Hostelling International Chicago, we are continuing to provide events and activities for you do to while stranded. Look on the bright side, you are in one of America’s greatest cities and spring has arrived! Happy exploring and minimal amounts of stress in your extended stay!

-Erika Ter Louw, HI intern

Even HI Staff Have the Travel Bug!

Working at a hostel, everyone has the travel bug. Hostelling International Chicago's staff members often take their vacation times and put them to good use. One staff member, Kimberly Turner, just returned from vacation. Naturally we were curious to see how her trip went and we wanted to share with you!

HI: What do you do here and how long have you been working at the hostel?
I am the assistant general manager. And I have been here a little over 4 years. 4 years and 3 months.

HI: So you recently went on vacation in Italy. Where were you in Italy?
We went to Rome, spent one night in the Cinque Terre, two nights in Siena, two in Tuscany in the countryside outside Florence.

HI: How long were you there for?
We left of the 7th. So, 10 days.

HI: What did you do as you were traveling?
We basically saw the sights. The Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, the Coliseum and we spent time just wandering around the cities. Eating a lot of good food and good wine (laughing). That about sums it up! Nothing too exciting.

HI: Sounds great! What was your favorite part?
My favorite part would have to be…(pauses thinking) I loved the Sistine Chapel. And the Coliseum, I loved them both. But the Sistine Chapel was my favorite. It was even more amazing than I pictured it to be. We went at night and had an audio tour. It was very helpful and so beautiful at night. It was incredible.

HI: If you had to recommend one thing that a person had to see in Italy what would it be?
I would say the Coliseum is an absolute must. Just because there is nothing else like it. The third station of the cross is there if you are religious; or event if you are not it is still cool to see. It is also cool to look back to that point in history. There is so much history there! ½ million people died in sick and twisted games. It is disturbing but part of history. The Coliseum is also really easy to get to! Its right off of the train stop. You get off and the Coliseum is right there!

HI: Wow!
Yeah it was really neat. It was like watching free entertainment for them. I learned so much! There was free food and free wine. And most of the animals, tigers, giraffes, and stuff, are from Africa. But only 20% of them made the trip from Africa!

HI: Wow, sounds like there was a lot of information there!
Yeah we had a 45 minute tour with a guide. There was so much I never even thought about. It was well worth the paid tour. I was thinking of just going in and walking around and looking at the signs, but it was so much more fascinating with the guide.

HI: So after your travels in Italy, trying to get back to the United States in light of the Volcano, were you affected?
No we weren’t! We were so lucky! Our flight was Saturday morning and we had been watching the news a lot to make sure we were still on. But there were still people traveling in Italy and Spain. So we made it out. The airports were busy but I expected it to be more hectic. When we landed in New York, JFK is normally such an insiane place already but it wasn’t bad at all. There were cots lined up for stranded travelers, but it wasn’t bad. It was much busier in Chicago.

HI: That is so great! I’m so glad you made it back and didn’t have problems.
Yeah we were so lucky! It was such a blessing that our flights were on time!

HI: Well, thank you very much for talking with me! Have a good rest of the day and welcome back!
No problem! Thanks!

Crepes and Conversation

Thank you to all of you who participated in Crepes and Conversation on Friday night!

Two Hostelling International Chicago interns, Veronique and myself, got together on Friday night to make crepes for a group of 6 travelers. And it was a great hit! Veronique, who is originally from France, taught us how to make a perfect crepe and travelers could choose between a variety of toppings. Egg, ham, cheese, and mushroom crepes made the perfect dinner!

The event began at 5 pm in the dinning room and to start there were two travelers present, one from England and the other from Germany. These two in particular were traveling on a budget and one had only spent $4 so far in his trip here to Chicago. The pool table in the lobby and the free food was a huge hit with them! Promptly at 5 we began cooking the first crepes. Veronique was a natural and made the perfect crepe right off the bat. I however needed a little practice. My first crepe was slightly shaky, but after I saw how it was done, the next ones turned out much better. Every traveler was very grateful for that fact!

Word of free food travels fast in the hostel and soon we had a busy kitchen with people interested in some good crepes. Standing with travelers and engaging them in conversation, Veronique gained some valuable knowledge for the hostel. We were interested in learning how the hostel can make your stay here even better! It was very good to hear how the hostel is doing and what things you love about our accommodations. However, we know there is always room for improvement and we jump at the opportunity to better your experience!

Overall the night was a success with great conversation and incredible food! It was also another opportunity for travelers to get to know each other! The six travelers shared with each other their experiences, advice, and stories of traveling. Some new acquaintances were made and they joined together to attend the hostel outing to the Green Mill. So thank you very much everyone for attending! We loved getting to know you and hearing your feedback! Happy travels!

-Erika Ter Louw, HI intern

We stopped to talk with Sebastien while eating some ice cream on a beautiful Tuesday afternoon! Learn more about him!



HI: Where are you from?
Portugal. Right by the boarder of Spain, in the middle. But right now I live in France. I studied management and I graduated. Now I’m working. I was working before coming here to make money.

HI: Yeah that’s always good! What is your name?
Sebastien Batista

HI: Where do you work?
At an airport. I clean the airport during the night.

HI: Wow! During the night! Do you like it?
Yeah it is a very cool job. I drive the big machine (laughing).

HI: (laughing) Cool! What do you like about your job?
There is not enough to clean because it is in the middle of the night, and the manager is really cool. So you clean your one spot and do okay and then it is good. It is very cool, you clean your place and you are good. I love to talk with people in the airport. I practice my Spanish and talk with people as they are traveling. It is a very good wage during the night too.

HI: Wow, that sounds great! Really laid back. So have you traveled a lot?
Yes. New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Boston, Toronto, Montreal, Niagara, and Detroit.

HI: That is a lot of places! How long have you been traveling?
Two months. Three more weeks and then I leave.

HI: Is Chicago your last stop?
Yes

HI: How much longer will you be here?
If I like it two weeks maybe more, but if I don’t...I just leave (laughing).

HI: Well I hope you like it!
Yes.

HI: What places did you really like?
I hated Montreal. Hated it. My credit card was stolen

HI: Oh no! What happened?
I was in the club and I put my coat in the room. But at the end of the night I came back to get my coat and the pocket was opened, and my credit card was gone. So I don’t like Montreal. It was too much like Europe too. So many Americans tell me, “Go to Montreal, you will love it!” But it was boring, not enough to see.

HI: (laughing) Yeah maybe Americans love it because it is like Europe, but you are used to it, so it is boring.
Yes I think so. But I didn’t like Montreal...don’t go (laughing).

HI: I will remember that (laughing). What place did you like?
Detroit. I loved Detroit. Some people say it is not safe, but I thought it was fine. And everything is so cheap! I also loved New York.

HI: So what are your plans for tonight?
I am staying with a friend for a few days and I might come back here. I’m going to see the city with him.

HI: How did you meet your friend?
Online. You can meet other people from all over the world and talk with them. Then you can visit and stay with them and see how the city is from someone who lives there. Then they can come and stay with you.

HI: Wow that sounds great! It is a perfect way to see Chicago!
Yes.

HI: Well thanks for talking with me! Enjoy your ice cream and I hope you have a great time in Chicago!
Thank you. And yes this ice cream is very good. Thank you!

Murals make an exciting new addition!

Hostelling International is very excited to announce the completion of two additional murals in our building! Last week a group of students and staff from Connect Force used their incredible talents to bring beauty to the hostel’s stairwells. The group had previously painted a mural on the landing between the 2nd and 3rd floors. We loved it so much we asked them to do more! Eventually all landings will have a mural done by Connect Force. The program is based out of Uptown and focuses on youth and hip-hop culture. We got a chance to talk with one of the staff members at Connect Force! Let him tell you more:



HI: What is your name?
Jesse. My art name is Jezi

HI: So you are working on the mural between the first floor and the second floor in the stairwell. What is this mural about?
It is about culture, dreaming, and believing.



HI: How did you come up with the inspiration?
Well this is what we practice with the hip-hop program. But most of it was spontaneous; we didn’t plan ahead with the concept. But we planned the basic images and then it manifested on top of that.

HI: Who was working on this mural?
Justin really kicked it off. Me, Oscar, Nick, Avery, Ruth, and Mike have been working on it too. Avery, Ruth, and Mike are all students. And the rest of us work for Connect Force.



HI: How long did it take with all of you working together?
This is day four. We will definitely finish by tomorrow. We have to do programming tonight so we have to leave early. But we will finish tomorrow.

HI: Tell me more about Connect Force. What do you guys do?
We are a hip-hop preservation and education program. We firstly teach and support youth in their own academic and self-development in a context of teaching the element of hip-hop culture.



HI: Where are most students from?
Most are from Uptown but we do get a lot of participants from all over the city. The other half of what we do is just to have an open space to practice hip-hop. Our hours are 6-8 Tuesdays and Thursdays and 1-4 on Saturdays. We actually have participants form all over the world come to practice with us. We have really nice dance floors so that draws in a lot of people. So it was a natural connection with the international hostel. Usually if breakers from out of town come in to Chicago, they visit us.



HI: Wow that is sweet! Have you done other murals?
Yeah mostly outdoor murals. We have done some indoor however we are hoping this will increase our publicity. And then allow us to increase our portfolio.

HI: Well it looks great! Thanks so much for taking a break and talking with me!
Yeah no problem. Check out the other murals too, they are all pretty sweet!


Thanks so much Connect Force! It looks great! Stop by the hostel and check it out!

Traveler Interview

HI: What is your name?
Andreas, it is like the German form of Andrew

HI: Where are you from?
Germany

HI: How long have you been in Chicago?
Since last Tuesday. So one week ago I got here (smiling)

HI: What are you doing in the city?
(shrugs) I always wanted to visit Chicago. I am interested in the history and I had never been before. I have been to New York and Boston but not Chicago. I was surprised at the rich culture and history!

HI: What surprised you? What have you learned about Chicago?
Well it is hard to describe. It is the most open-minded city I have visited so far. There is rich culture! I am amazed at the museums. There is rich music culture too. I went to the blues bars with Chuck.

HI: Oh the Kingston Mines?
Yes! Also if the weather is nice, it is nice to walk the shoreline. It is fascinating to watch people! Each city differs in the US!

HI: Yeah that is so true! So have you seen any really interesting people as you were watching?
Oh yes. I stood for an hour watching people under the jellybean. So fascinating! (laughing) People were going like this and that and making faces to get a good angle (moving arms and legs to simulate motion).

HI: Yeah the jellybean is always fun. (laughing)
Yes. Of course I visited the John Hancock and the Willis tower. I prefer the Hancock. The restaurant was magnificent. I sat and had a coffee just sitting looking out.

HI: Did you go at sunset? That is beautiful I know.
No. It gets too crowded then. I try to avoid them, I don’t feel comfortable with crowds.

HI: Yeah that’s understandable. So what other things have you seen?
Been to the Botanical Gardens. Been to the Museum of Art. It was very confusing. So many floors I got lost! (laughing) Been to the planetarium. The view is great! You are able to walk to Millennium Park and walk all up it. Been to Obama’s house.

HI: Oh my goodness! You have seen a lot then! Are you traveling all over the US? Is Chicago the only city you are visiting?
This time yes. I also don’t like being in a city for one to two days. I want to get a feel for it. America in 48 hours is not my travel (laughing). For example, yesterday I walked the shoreline for 2 hours.

HI: Wow! Sounds like you have done a lot of walking while you were here!
Yes! Ugh. Yesterday I walked back from Obama’s house…

HI: Oh my word! Wow!
Yes I believe it was 9 miles. And before I spent 5 hours at Macy’s shopping (laughing).

HI: Wow! So what was your favorite part?
Well that is very hard to say. I really liked the two blues bars, Kingston Mines and Buddy Guy’s. They were great evenings. It is kind of hard, like comparing apples with oranges (laughing). Especially because they are so different but the blues was fantastic!

HI: Yeah I bet. So how much longer are you here for?
Until Saturday

HI: And then you head back to Germany?
Exactly

HI: What do you do in Germany?
I recently graduated and just started to work. That is why I can’t take off too long (laughing).

HI: It’s a nice little break though.
From time to time I like to see some different things yes.

HI: Well thank you so much for talking with me! Enjoy the beautiful weather. Maybe you could take another nine-mile walk!
(laughing) Yes I could! Thank you, have a nice day!