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.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Roger Pomerance
By Margaret Sheridan
In describing his many interests, Roger Pomerance uses the verb “dabbles”.
Hardly. Whether racing sailboats, researching a location or baking cookies, Roger’s concentration and attention to detail challenge that choice of word.
The financial consultant staffs the Information Desk on Monday evenings at HI-Chicago. He handles any interruption during this interview with graciousness. One teacher, leading a group of 20 students, asks for inexpensive dining suggestions before the group grabs a bus to the United Center for a Bulls game. He rolls off names such as Epic Burger, pizza, Thai food, Panera and Exchequer Pub.
Another mother and daughter from Kansas City tosses Roger questions about pizza (thin crust at Lou Malnati’s) and shoe shopping. “State Street will take care of that,’’ he assures the teen.
He keeps a stash of freshly made oatmeal-chocolate chip cookies in a plastic container and offers them to staff between bidding hellos and answering questions from new arrivals. He eases their anxiety about the city with street maps, a sharp pencil and a smile. “I’ve been volunteering here for four or five years. I like being an ambassador to Chicago, and introducing guests to the city’s highlights."
The native of Chicago was raised and lived in the suburbs of Elmhurst and Wheaton, but he returned to the city 15 years ago when he bought a condo near Addison and Lakeshore Drive. Now, he can ride a bicycle or take the 151 Bus to HI-Chicago.
These cookies are great. Are you a cook?
I like to bake. I’m a better baker than a cook because baking is so specific. You have recipes, and if you follow them, you’ll have success. With baking, there is less uncertainty. With cooking, there’s so much guesswork. A little of this, a pinch of that. I’m not good like that. But I do make one-pot meals such as chili and goulash. I enjoy chopping ingredients.
What are some of your favorite Chicago eats?
Cinnamon rolls at Ann Sather’s. Polish rye bread, my heritage, from most any bakery on Milwaukee Ave.
You say you dabble in sailing?
Yes. I’m a part-owner in a Tartan Ten (a popular 10-meter sailboat). We sail off of Chicago and keep the boat in Michigan City. I’ve raced the Chicago-to-Mackinac Race (the annual 333-mile sailboat race in July from Chicago along Lake Michigan to Mackinac Island, Michigan) 19 times. I got into sailing years ago through the American Youth Hostels. I took lessons and used their boats in Monroe Harbor. That organization held meetings in the same building where HI-Chicago stands today. So, I feel like home here.
What are some of your recommended spots for entertainment?
I enjoy the group-led outings to the Green Mill and Kingston Mines.
What makes being at the hostel rewarding?
I traveled around Europe when I was younger. I remember meeting strangers on the street or in the trains and they gave me advice about where to go or what to do or where to eat. Those people made my day. So, that’s what I can do here. I can make their day a little nicer. I like answering so many questions. I’ve been in Chicago all my life and when I first manned the information desk, I was stunned by what I do not know. I like the energy of being around travelers.
Any secret aid to help with curveball questions?
I rely on the RTA Trip Planner Website for some tough addresses in the suburbs.
How do you travel?
I enjoy the planning and the research of a trip as much as doing it. I like to stay in little pensions for the privacy. I backpack and use trains.
What do you miss about Chicago when you're away?
Lakeshore Drive, it’s the city’s jewel, and Lake Michigan. If the guests ask for best vantage points, I suggest viewing it from the Adler Planetarium and from Montrose Harbor. I also miss cycling along the lake, and along the Chicago North River Branch Bike path.
In describing his many interests, Roger Pomerance uses the verb “dabbles”.
Hardly. Whether racing sailboats, researching a location or baking cookies, Roger’s concentration and attention to detail challenge that choice of word.
The financial consultant staffs the Information Desk on Monday evenings at HI-Chicago. He handles any interruption during this interview with graciousness. One teacher, leading a group of 20 students, asks for inexpensive dining suggestions before the group grabs a bus to the United Center for a Bulls game. He rolls off names such as Epic Burger, pizza, Thai food, Panera and Exchequer Pub.
Another mother and daughter from Kansas City tosses Roger questions about pizza (thin crust at Lou Malnati’s) and shoe shopping. “State Street will take care of that,’’ he assures the teen.
He keeps a stash of freshly made oatmeal-chocolate chip cookies in a plastic container and offers them to staff between bidding hellos and answering questions from new arrivals. He eases their anxiety about the city with street maps, a sharp pencil and a smile. “I’ve been volunteering here for four or five years. I like being an ambassador to Chicago, and introducing guests to the city’s highlights."
The native of Chicago was raised and lived in the suburbs of Elmhurst and Wheaton, but he returned to the city 15 years ago when he bought a condo near Addison and Lakeshore Drive. Now, he can ride a bicycle or take the 151 Bus to HI-Chicago.
These cookies are great. Are you a cook?
I like to bake. I’m a better baker than a cook because baking is so specific. You have recipes, and if you follow them, you’ll have success. With baking, there is less uncertainty. With cooking, there’s so much guesswork. A little of this, a pinch of that. I’m not good like that. But I do make one-pot meals such as chili and goulash. I enjoy chopping ingredients.
What are some of your favorite Chicago eats?
Cinnamon rolls at Ann Sather’s. Polish rye bread, my heritage, from most any bakery on Milwaukee Ave.
You say you dabble in sailing?
Yes. I’m a part-owner in a Tartan Ten (a popular 10-meter sailboat). We sail off of Chicago and keep the boat in Michigan City. I’ve raced the Chicago-to-Mackinac Race (the annual 333-mile sailboat race in July from Chicago along Lake Michigan to Mackinac Island, Michigan) 19 times. I got into sailing years ago through the American Youth Hostels. I took lessons and used their boats in Monroe Harbor. That organization held meetings in the same building where HI-Chicago stands today. So, I feel like home here.
What are some of your recommended spots for entertainment?
I enjoy the group-led outings to the Green Mill and Kingston Mines.
What makes being at the hostel rewarding?
I traveled around Europe when I was younger. I remember meeting strangers on the street or in the trains and they gave me advice about where to go or what to do or where to eat. Those people made my day. So, that’s what I can do here. I can make their day a little nicer. I like answering so many questions. I’ve been in Chicago all my life and when I first manned the information desk, I was stunned by what I do not know. I like the energy of being around travelers.
Any secret aid to help with curveball questions?
I rely on the RTA Trip Planner Website for some tough addresses in the suburbs.
How do you travel?
I enjoy the planning and the research of a trip as much as doing it. I like to stay in little pensions for the privacy. I backpack and use trains.
What do you miss about Chicago when you're away?
Lakeshore Drive, it’s the city’s jewel, and Lake Michigan. If the guests ask for best vantage points, I suggest viewing it from the Adler Planetarium and from Montrose Harbor. I also miss cycling along the lake, and along the Chicago North River Branch Bike path.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Volunteer Spotlight: Linda Fuller
By Margaret Sheridan
Linda Fuller is in the middle of an interview when a guest in goose down parka approached her table in the dining room.
The guest using gestures similar to a symphony conductor raved about one of Linda’s recommendations. The SOFA Intuit, an art fair at Navy Pier , rated five-star accolades from the beaming hostel guest. Linda graciously nods acceptance, and smiles.
“Such feedback, I love it. And I’ve only been here since July.’’
The hostel is within walking distance of Linda’s neighborhood in the Loop. The native of California has lived and worked downtown since she and her late husband arrived in 1980. They couple have lived many places including Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Connecticut.
Recently retired from the CTA after nearly 12 years of working in planning and operations management, Linda says her knowledge of the city’s transportation system is a bonus in manning the information desk on Friday mornings.
What are some perks of being a volunteer?
The enthusiasm from guests, when I see them discover what Chicago has to offer, and how easy it is to get around the city. You don’t need a car. I try to make the city accessible. Some guests, unfamiliar with the city, are overwhelmed, at first. Other travelers, especially Europeans, seem more familiar with using public transportation. Many come from places that have great transit systems.
Want to share some Chicago secrets?
I urge people, especially if the weather is bad, to visit lobbies. They are architecturally significant, and warm in winter. Favorites include the Marquette Building (140 S. Dearborn St.), The Rookery (209 S. LaSalle St.), and the Art Deco elegance of 135 S. LaSalle St. (formerly known as the Field Building).
Another place to see is the Grand Ballroom on the second floor of the Blackstone Hotel. The detailed ceiling plasterwork is amazing. I encourage visitors to go to the Chicago Cultural Center. They offer free building tours. There’s always something going on…a concert, an exhibit, a movie. There’s also the Museum of Contemporary Photography (600 S. Michigan Ave.) right in the neighborhood.
Got a secret dining spot?
Yes. It’s a little Mexican place on the Pink Line at the Damen stop on the “L”. It’s called Abuelo’s Mexican Grill (2007 S. Damen Ave.).
How do you travel?
I love to travel. In Europe when I was younger, I’d just go to train stations and ask for referrals on pensions and little cheap hotels. About five years ago, for fun, I took the train from Chicago to Los Angeles and proved to friends you don’t need a car in L.A. The train ride took two-and-half days. Then I got around LA very easily. I stayed in Little Tokyo. All you need to understand is the network of bus lines, airport shuttles and the subway system. Yes, LA does have a subway system.
Any future trips coming up?
I’ve got relatives spread out across the States. I’m busy discovering this country for now.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
An Outing to Buddy Guy's Legends
At 8:30 last Wednesday, November 3rd, about 20 travelers set out for Buddy Guy’s Legends to hear Scott Holt and his band play some blues. Although I had signed up to be the local guide, I had never actually been to the venue myself. Although none of us knew what we were in for, everyone was ready to have a good time.
My role as the local guide was literally a little misleading since, upon exiting the hostel, I turned north towards State Street rather than south to Wabash. Lucky for the twenty of us, one of the guests immediately called this to my attention. Upon arrival, our efforts to enter the club were once again thwarted, this time by a crowd of inebriated businessmen and a large, gruff doorman, who notified me that the bar would be closed until 10:00pm for a private party. With an extra hour to spare, I looked at our eclectic bunch of world travelers, and I felt a brief moment of panic. Luckily, a friendly bystander directed us to the South Loop Club just down the street, and most of our good-natured guests obligingly followed.
As the extremely friendly staff pushed the tables together into one very long row, it felt a little like my own private birthday party-- only it wasn’t my birthday. Still, a few of the hostellers affably bid me a happy one just for good measure.
Despite my initial panic, our small detour provided us with a perfect opportunity to get acquainted with each other. At my end of the table, I sat among a group of people from Minnesota, San Francisco, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Scotland, and Ireland where the discussion led to a friendly debate on American social etiquette (the arguable verdict being that Americans are typically more polite than other cultures at the expense of sometimes being less genuine). As a Chicagoan, it is sometimes difficult for me to gauge what guests truly think of the city. Nonetheless, my companions seemed particularly impressed by the local music scene and by Chicago’s role in many classic films. In fact, one guest had recently been to the Art Institute and admitted to appreciating Seurat’s "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" as much for its significance to art history as for its cameo in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
At about 10:00, we all paid our bill, tipped our waitresses, and trekked back to Buddy Guy’s. The private party which had just let out must have had an open bar, because the place was teeming with randy, middle-aged men in neckties and blazers. A few of them offered to buy drinks for the travelers, but as far as I know, most people politely refused. Ultimately, I think we were as amused by them as they were by us.
Although most of us had come to the club expecting traditional Chicago blues, Scott Holt’s style had a bit of a country twang. Still, he was a talented musician, and I was pleasantly surprised. The club was standing-room only, and many of the hostel guests began to disperse among the crowd shortly after we arrived. Nonetheless, it seemed that most stayed well-after midnight. As they made the last call, Scott Holt and his band finally succumbed to their apparently irrepressible urge to close out with “Sweet Home Alabama.” Meanwhile, a few of the remaining hostellers had made new friends and were even making plans to find another bar.
In the end, all of the missteps and unexpected surprises of the evening seemed to work in our favor. Although things did not necessarily go to plan that night, as Ferris Bueller would say, “Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
My role as the local guide was literally a little misleading since, upon exiting the hostel, I turned north towards State Street rather than south to Wabash. Lucky for the twenty of us, one of the guests immediately called this to my attention. Upon arrival, our efforts to enter the club were once again thwarted, this time by a crowd of inebriated businessmen and a large, gruff doorman, who notified me that the bar would be closed until 10:00pm for a private party. With an extra hour to spare, I looked at our eclectic bunch of world travelers, and I felt a brief moment of panic. Luckily, a friendly bystander directed us to the South Loop Club just down the street, and most of our good-natured guests obligingly followed.
As the extremely friendly staff pushed the tables together into one very long row, it felt a little like my own private birthday party-- only it wasn’t my birthday. Still, a few of the hostellers affably bid me a happy one just for good measure.
Despite my initial panic, our small detour provided us with a perfect opportunity to get acquainted with each other. At my end of the table, I sat among a group of people from Minnesota, San Francisco, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Scotland, and Ireland where the discussion led to a friendly debate on American social etiquette (the arguable verdict being that Americans are typically more polite than other cultures at the expense of sometimes being less genuine). As a Chicagoan, it is sometimes difficult for me to gauge what guests truly think of the city. Nonetheless, my companions seemed particularly impressed by the local music scene and by Chicago’s role in many classic films. In fact, one guest had recently been to the Art Institute and admitted to appreciating Seurat’s "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" as much for its significance to art history as for its cameo in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
At about 10:00, we all paid our bill, tipped our waitresses, and trekked back to Buddy Guy’s. The private party which had just let out must have had an open bar, because the place was teeming with randy, middle-aged men in neckties and blazers. A few of them offered to buy drinks for the travelers, but as far as I know, most people politely refused. Ultimately, I think we were as amused by them as they were by us.
Although most of us had come to the club expecting traditional Chicago blues, Scott Holt’s style had a bit of a country twang. Still, he was a talented musician, and I was pleasantly surprised. The club was standing-room only, and many of the hostel guests began to disperse among the crowd shortly after we arrived. Nonetheless, it seemed that most stayed well-after midnight. As they made the last call, Scott Holt and his band finally succumbed to their apparently irrepressible urge to close out with “Sweet Home Alabama.” Meanwhile, a few of the remaining hostellers had made new friends and were even making plans to find another bar.
In the end, all of the missteps and unexpected surprises of the evening seemed to work in our favor. Although things did not necessarily go to plan that night, as Ferris Bueller would say, “Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Traveler Spotlight: NIGEL
Nigel's back.Who?
One of HI-Chicago's most devoted guests, Nigel Jenkins from Cardiff, Wales, beams on the topic of Chicago. "I feel at home here,'' says the 44-year old intrepid traveler. "The people are friendly. The city is easy to get around on foot, bus and "el". And for a cinema buff like me, there are so many theaters.''
A tourist hitting the movies? Nigel isn't typical. This is his 16th visit to the city in 18 years of travel in Europe and North America. He's enjoyed all the tourist attractions of the city, and prefers to live it as a resident. We caught up with him a day before he headed off to Los Angeles on what he calls his annual Fall visit to the US. This one stretched for 17 days. His work as a therapist for adults with special needs allows him to schedule vacations twice a year.
What's your travel lifestyle?
I've been doing hostels for years by myself. The people you meet are of all ages but have a similar mindset. I love the downtown location of HI-Chicago. I've know Chicago well before Millennium Park. The city has really changed, and it's beautiful. The hostel in Santa Monica, Calif. is a favorite. It is so close to the beaches. And in Los Angeles, you can get cinema passes like they have in Britain and France.
I stay in all sorts of hostels. But the network hostels have high standard of operations. The service and facilities are first-rate. I like such consistency and familiarity. I've had all sorts of experiences. I remember one in St. Louis, Mo., where I was the only one there. At another hostel in Santa Fe., NM. you were expected to do chores. Sleeping in a room with 10 bunks in Chicago is fine. I'm not sure if I snore or not. No one ever complained. A favorite hostel is one in France, in a little town of Saint-Malo (a walled port city in Brittany).
What's your take on Chicago food?
I'm a vegetarian, so in Chicago it is easy. There are so many grocery stores. I love to go to Kramer's Health Food Shop (230 S. Wabash Ave.). I love their veggie bean burrito and beetroot juice. When Cultural Kitchen students here in the hostel were cooking a meal recently, they invited me to dinner. It was Chilean food and really good.
What's special for you about Chicago?
Running the lakefront. When I'm fit, I do marathons. I've done five marathons. Three Londons and two Chicagos (1999, 2000). But I'm out-of-shape at the moment.
What are your travel must-haves?
I never go anywhere without packing a couple of my Spillers Records tee-shirts into my backpack. I have 23 in different colors. Spiller's is the oldest record store in the world, since 1894. It's in Cardiff. I take Welsh cakes (a type of fruitcake biscuit) to have with tea. I don't go anywhere without my cell phone. It's loaded with photos of my nieces and nephews. I have five sisters and one brother, lots of relatives. I always buy extra Air Waves, my favorite chewing gum (anise-flavored). You can't buy it here. I give some to the staff (at the hostels). We know each other, they're like family.
What's on your dream travel agenda?
Easter Island. Australia. China.
What's on your near-future agenda?
Coming back here next March or April. I'd better make reservations now. You get really busy here.
-Margaret Sheridan, Volunteer
Monday, October 25, 2010
Volunteer Spotlight: Ervin Lopez
What volunteer positions do you hold at the hostel and how long have you been doing them? I volunteer in the traveler programs as a Chicago guide and as a Chicago Specialist at the Information Desk. I have been a Chicago Guide since early August and a Chicago Specialist since mid-September.
What motivates you to volunteer?
My main motivation is learning about and understanding the culture of other countries. This is by far the best way to understand culture, by meeting travelers and taking them to outing in different neighborhoods in Chicago.
What has been your most fun or interesting outing so far, and why?
I'm not going to lie! The most fun outing so far has been taking travelers to pub crawls, and it was my first outing with HI-Chicago. We took travelers to Wicker Park during the Lollapalooza weekend. Over 70 travelers pub crawled with us to seven pubs.
What is your top travel destination (a place you've already been or your dream place?
My top destination is visiting Brazil and it may be my dream place to live. Also, Brazil is hosting both the Olympic Games and the World Cup therefore it seems to be the place to live before, during, and after those two events. Brazil will be the next economic powerhouse.
What other ways do you keep busy outside of the hostel?
Since I'm currently a new graduate student, I definitely keep busy with reading and writing. I work full time as a job recruiter. I work out at the fitness center, do some running and weightlifting. I also burn calories by doing some dancing--salsa, merengue and bachata. I enjoy watching independent films, hanging out with my friends, eating at different ethnic restaurants, and of course, travelling.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Waking up in Chicago and Sharing the Blues
The other day as I watched a horse-drawn buggy roll down Rush Street, I realized that I felt less like the sightseer on top and more with like the workhorse below, burdened with a bridle and blinders. Chicago is a classy town, but in my daily routine, I often feel that I take it for granted. At 5:30 p.m. most Mondays, I follow the same worn path home as I sit alone among the mass of strangers on the CTA, bow my head into a book, and listen to the clickety clack of the track below. Last Monday, however, I took off my blinders and took a detour to HI-Chicago for their weekly excursion to the Kingston Mines.
As a first-time volunteer, and a lifelong wallflower, I was nervous about attending the outing; but lucky for me, it is hard to be an oddball among a hodgepodge of multinational backpackers. Everyone had their motives for coming, and like the rest of them, I wanted to experience a bit of culture. At the Kingston Mines, I watched as the doorman checked passports from Argentina, Australia, Britain, Canada, Brazil, Colombia, New Zealand, South Korea and Spain, in addition to a few licenses from California and North Carolina.
Chicago may be famous for joints like the Kingston Mines, but the blues belong to everyone. Around 9:00 P.M., J.W. Williams and the Chi-Town Hustlers took the north stage with Japanese blues musician, Shun Kikuta, on guitar. Chicago’s Daily Herald once referred to Kikuta as the “Ambassador of the Blues.” As such, about mid-way through the set he stepped off the stage and into the crowd on a goodwill mission to impress us with his finger-picking expertise. Meanwhile, as I stood at the bar, Fernando, an Argentinean hosteller, allowed me to practice my Spanish skills as he explained to me that he was on a rock n’ roll odyssey across the United States to gather material for his blog, “La Cueva del Rock and Blues.” The previous night he had been to Blue Chicago on Clark Street and he would soon be headed to New York City to see Roger Waters. We were also joined by Diego, Fabricio, and Xabi from Colombia, Brazil, and Spain, respectively. As Carl Weathersby and his band took the main stage, I took the opportunity to introduce my new friends to a taste of Kentucky bourbon, and we all enjoyed the music with a round of Knob Creek.
Shortly after midnight, many of the hostel guests seemed to blend in with the rest of the crowd, and Fernando and company suggested that we head across the street to B.L.U.E.S. to see Linsey “Hoochie Man” Alexander and his band. Like Shun Kikuta, the Hoochie Man lived up to his title. He likes to interact with his audience, and my skills as translator failed me, partly for a lack of vocabulary, and partly out of modesty. All in all, it was an excellent evening of Chicago blues, brought to us by yet another international musician-- the band featured an Italian bass player, incidentally named Fabrizio. Just after 2:00 am, as the lights came up and the bar shut down, I finally bid adieu to Fernando, Xabi, Diego, and the Fabricios. Before that night, we had all been strangers, but we all got the blues and we all had a wonderful time.
HI-Chicago’s motto is "to help all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people through hostelling," As a volunteer, I was there not out of a sense of giving, but one of sharing. At the end of the evening, I had acquired new friends, practiced my Spanish, and benefited from a rich cultural exchange. After only four hours of sleep, I awoke the next morning feeling oddly invigorated. On my commute to work, instead of plugging my ears and putting my blinders back on, I sat up and watched the city go by as if I were some kind of sightseer. I was proud to share my city with the people I met that night, and I am thankful to them for opening my eyes and helping me reawaken to a new Chicago.
-- K. Williamson
As a first-time volunteer, and a lifelong wallflower, I was nervous about attending the outing; but lucky for me, it is hard to be an oddball among a hodgepodge of multinational backpackers. Everyone had their motives for coming, and like the rest of them, I wanted to experience a bit of culture. At the Kingston Mines, I watched as the doorman checked passports from Argentina, Australia, Britain, Canada, Brazil, Colombia, New Zealand, South Korea and Spain, in addition to a few licenses from California and North Carolina.
Chicago may be famous for joints like the Kingston Mines, but the blues belong to everyone. Around 9:00 P.M., J.W. Williams and the Chi-Town Hustlers took the north stage with Japanese blues musician, Shun Kikuta, on guitar. Chicago’s Daily Herald once referred to Kikuta as the “Ambassador of the Blues.” As such, about mid-way through the set he stepped off the stage and into the crowd on a goodwill mission to impress us with his finger-picking expertise. Meanwhile, as I stood at the bar, Fernando, an Argentinean hosteller, allowed me to practice my Spanish skills as he explained to me that he was on a rock n’ roll odyssey across the United States to gather material for his blog, “La Cueva del Rock and Blues.” The previous night he had been to Blue Chicago on Clark Street and he would soon be headed to New York City to see Roger Waters. We were also joined by Diego, Fabricio, and Xabi from Colombia, Brazil, and Spain, respectively. As Carl Weathersby and his band took the main stage, I took the opportunity to introduce my new friends to a taste of Kentucky bourbon, and we all enjoyed the music with a round of Knob Creek.
Shortly after midnight, many of the hostel guests seemed to blend in with the rest of the crowd, and Fernando and company suggested that we head across the street to B.L.U.E.S. to see Linsey “Hoochie Man” Alexander and his band. Like Shun Kikuta, the Hoochie Man lived up to his title. He likes to interact with his audience, and my skills as translator failed me, partly for a lack of vocabulary, and partly out of modesty. All in all, it was an excellent evening of Chicago blues, brought to us by yet another international musician-- the band featured an Italian bass player, incidentally named Fabrizio. Just after 2:00 am, as the lights came up and the bar shut down, I finally bid adieu to Fernando, Xabi, Diego, and the Fabricios. Before that night, we had all been strangers, but we all got the blues and we all had a wonderful time.
HI-Chicago’s motto is "to help all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people through hostelling," As a volunteer, I was there not out of a sense of giving, but one of sharing. At the end of the evening, I had acquired new friends, practiced my Spanish, and benefited from a rich cultural exchange. After only four hours of sleep, I awoke the next morning feeling oddly invigorated. On my commute to work, instead of plugging my ears and putting my blinders back on, I sat up and watched the city go by as if I were some kind of sightseer. I was proud to share my city with the people I met that night, and I am thankful to them for opening my eyes and helping me reawaken to a new Chicago.
-- K. Williamson
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