Traveler Spotlight

I had the pleasure of meeting Hirotaka at the information desk this morning while he was seeking advice on where to eat the best BBQ in Chicago. In my opinion, trying new food is half the fun of traveling, and judging by the conversation we had, I think Hirotaka feels the same way.

Originally from Tokyo, Japan, he spent this past school year as an exchange student in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. After school ended, he decided to spend about two months travelling throughout the United States by Amtrak. Before Chicago, he visited New York City, Seattle, San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, the Grand Canyon, New Orleans, and many more places. That‘s a lot to see in two months!

When asked about Chicago, Hirotaka only had wonderful things to say. He said that he loves the architecture and the vibrant atmosphere of the city. But more than anything, he has really enjoyed the food! His favorite experience so far was eating deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati’s. According to him, it was the most delicious pizza he has ever eaten! He also had great things to say about the hostel. He has met some great people and had a great time at our “Boom Boom Blues” night.

Good luck with the rest or your travels Hirotaka and I hope you loved the BBQ!

written by intern Maggie Flynn

Resource links:

Chicago Architecture Foundation: CAF offers in-depth architecture tours & hostel guests receive $3 off walking tours. caf.architecture.org

Lou Malnati’s Pizza: http://www.loumalnatis.com/

BBQ, Smoke Daddy: http://www.thesmokedaddy.com/

Traveler Spotlight: Michael

Today during breakfast, I met Michael from one of my personal favorite cities - Melbourne, Australia. He recently graduated from university with a degree in Architecture and plans to later return for his Master’s degree after his travels. Michael is currently on his “big world tour” which includes traveling across the U.S. for three months, Europe for three months, and spending one month in UK with friends from his exchange in high school. So far, Michael has been to Hollywood, San Francisco, Denver, and Chicago and said Chicago has been his favorite city yet. 

Michael told me that he is a huge sports fan and has already attended a Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls, and Cubs home opener game yesterday. He told me his favorite experience in Chicago was attending a Blackhawks game because he’s never seen live ice hockey before. He’s also been to the Chicago Art Institute, a blues club, and went on the Chicago Architecture Foundation bus tour. Michael said, “Chicago is pretty awesome. It has a good vibe, the architecture is crazy, and it has lots of sports to watch.”

After Chicago, he plans to visit Buffalo, Toronto, Montreal, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Miami, New Orleans, and Atlanta before jetting off to Europe to meet up with some friends.

Happy travels, Michael!

Interview by: Kim Pitingolo

Sustainability: Listening to Our Guests

This month HI-Chicago is taking steps to improve sustainability! Current projects include: installing motion sensors in offices, bathrooms, and storage rooms to ensure that lights are only on when they need to be, adding new recycling bins and signs to make recycling easier, and switching out paper towel dispensers for automatic hand dryers.

Reuse can be beautiful and creative!

Involving our guests in a discussion about sustainability at the hostel and in their travels is an important part of this green initiative, so we held a focus group to talk about sustainability. Ten travelers from around the world joined two interns – Kristen and Jackie – to chow down on Giordano’s deep dish pizza and bounce around ideas. We had guests from Brazil, USA, France, England, Chile, and Venezuela.

Ideas that were brought up include installing clotheslines in the laundry room, offering drying racks to guests, and investigating solar power. This international perspective was great, as we found out that the recycling bins are not designated a blue color in all countries! Most of all, it was encouraging to hear that sustainability is an important issue to our guests, and we hope that when you stay with us you can join us in our efforts!

On Monday, Kristen, our sustainability intern, gave a presentation to the HI-Chicago staff about sustainability – Here are a couple links to videos that were shown:

By Nasa – showing the temperature changes of the Earth from 1880 to 2011.

http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/2011-temps.html

Energy for the world:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh5KzBQBGcE&feature=share

Remember to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!

If you are interested in learning more about Hostelling International’s sustainability efforts around the world, then follow HI-Sustainability on Facebook and @HIsustainable on Twitter.

Traveler Spotlight: Eve the Educator

Eve actually approached ME for an interview! After spotting some of the other Traveler Spotlights in the hostel, she decided that her story should be shared too. So here it is..

What are you doing in Chicago?
I have my niece’s wedding on Saturday. I think it should be pretty posh – I got a new dress! I’m also giving a talk at the Harold Washington Library this afternoon.

Oh really? What are you speaking about?
Well, I was contacted by Jerrie Wilborn to give a talk on parenting education. I’m the founder of an organization called Parents Forum, a parenting education program based on eight original questions about family life issues. It’s been around 18 years and counting.

Impressive! Is this your full-time gig?
It’s my full-time volunteer gig. I haven’t quit my day job yet. I work at MIT as an editorial assistant to a Nobel Prize winning Theoretical Physicist named Frank Wilczek. Doesn't get much more brilliant than that. He actually attended the University of Chicago.

Sounds interesting…how did you get into that job?
Well, I was an ESL teacher for awhile, but when my children were little I decided that I didn’t want to teach – I wanted to save that energy for my own kids. I had typing skills and I ended up at MIT.

So what kind of travel experience have you had?
I’ve traveled a boatload around the US for Parents Forum. I’ve also taught English in North Africa and Portugal.

Wow! Tell me more about teaching in North Africa.
Well, it was the Peace Corps era, and I got a call to service to Turkey. But then my father passed away unexpectedly and I went back home instead of joining PC. At that time I just couldn’t commit to the 2 years of service. Luckily, I had a back-up job in Tunisia, where I spent one year. I came back to the States, got a graduate degree in French, then ended up teaching ESL in Cambridge.

So what did you take from that experience?
I learned French very well. It gave me a bigger picture of the world. I also made some lifelong friends, one who I’ve just reconnected with recently.

And how did you end up in Portugal?
My husband had a sabbatical and we ended up there – he was supposed to be learning Portuguese, but guess who ended up being the one to learn? (laughs and points at herself). We also took our two oldest sons. So they are official “Global Nomads.”

What do you mean by Global Nomad?
That’s anyone under the age of 18 who has lived for a year or more out of their passport country. They used to be called "3rd Culture Kids", but it was decided that didn’t convey what this experience gives to, and takes from them. We all have a strong sense of being from a certain place. You get a different sense of your place as a Global Nomad. You’re more ready to make friends, but perhaps less confident in making long, life-term friendships.

Sounds like you’ve got a lot of international experience, both abroad and with foreigners in your home country.
Yes, very much so. I also provide a host family for international students. I’ve taken in host sons who I become a mentor to. The latest is from Burkina Faso. He just got his master’s degree in Economics, we’re so proud of him!

How long do the visiting students stay with you?
The longest was our host son from Ethiopa. He lived with us for 3-4 years of college and then he came back after college.

Is your entire family supportive of taking in host children?
Oh yes. My entire family of 3 sons and my husband are supportive. It’s armchair travel. It has been great for them; it gives them a sense of the world and their place in the world. They’ve gained the ability and willingness to set aside cultural misconceptions.

That’s great. So what do you like about staying at hostels?
I’m in the minority as an older person. I like the chance to conversate with people. I assume I’ll be surrounded by friends or people that will soon be my friends! For example, at breakfast I sat down with a couple of people from China and had a great time getting to know them. Waiting in line to check in, a guy from LA asked if it was my first time staying at a hostel, which led to eating lunch together. It’s just really neat.

Sounds like you have a great attitude!
Oh yeah. I recently got invited to a conference in Iran, and I was unsure if I’d go because of all the difficulties getting a visa and what not. Finally I decided to go after my son said, “Mom, you make friends where ever you go. Just GOOO!”

Traveler Chat

HI: So where are you guys from?
France.

HI: Oh okay! Great!
Yeah we got here yesterday and we are staying until Thursday. We got here by bus through the night.

HI: Ugh, sounds like you guys are tired then.
Yes! Today we went through the Loop and saw the downtown buildings.

HI: So what are you guys doing here in Chicago?
We started in Canada, we are students studying there. So we had holiday and we wanted to visit the United States and then more of Canada.

HI: Oh okay! That is great!
Yeah we are in Chicago for 3 days. Then Seattle for 2 days. And then the Vancouver Islands.

HI: Oh beautiful!
Yes. And that is it.

HI: How long are you studying in Canada?
1 year

HI: What are you studying?
We are taking MBA courses. In France we are in a business course.

HI: Oh okay. Cool! So did you guys know each other before you started studying in Canada?
Actually we have a friend in common. The three of us room together. So we met over Facebook. (pointing to each other)

HI: (laughing) That is great!
(laughing) Yeah. But we both k now the third person better.

HI: Did she travel with you guys to the United States?
Yes. She is here, she is resting. She was very tired.

HI: Oh Okay. So what are you planning on seeing in Chicago?
We saw the Loop today. We want to see the Art Institute, Sears Tower, the Magnificent Mile.

HI: Good choice
Yes. And Bucktown, and if time Jackson Park as well. We heard it was very beautiful. And also Navy Pier, Lincoln Park. And that’s it. In 2 days that’s all we can do. Oh and the Museum of Contemporary Art too.

HI: Wow! Yeah in two days you will be very busy! You will enjoy it though! Those are all really great things to see! When did you start your program in Canada?
We started August 9 and we are here until August. (referencing one girl and the other girl who was sleeping) She is leaving soon. (pointing to the other girl)

HI: So you are leaving early?
Yeah. May 10. I studied in Quebec so we are done earlier.

HI: Are you sad to be leaving?
Yes of course. But I am happy to see my family and friends too.

HI: Yeah, it is always good and bad. Well good luck! I hope you guys enjoy the rest of your stay in Chicago!
Yes thank you! Bye.