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The Complete Chicago Experience
I wanted the full enchilada, and I damn sure got it
I’m still flying high from my holiday runaway vacay two weeks ago. Back home in Chicago during the holidays for the first time in twenty years, I wanted the total experience.
I arrived in town on Christmas Day. It was almost 60 degrees. But by New Year’s Eve, it was below zero. That hardly mattered. There were parties, dinners, seeing old friends, and way too many cocktails to sip for a little cold weather to stop anything.
The holiday decorations were still on display. They were breathtaking and I took pics while strolling along the Gold Coast. North Michigan Avenue. It was a frigid 12 degrees that day, but I know how to dress for the Hawk. I’d been away for many, many years but some things you never forget.
The number of people on the street begging for money was staggering. I gave away several one dollar bills to those camped out on almost every corner or tucked away in gaps between the 5-star hotels and exclusive boutiques along the Magnificent Mile.
Yes indeed. I asked for a complete ChiTown experience. And I got it.
Wednesday morning, New Year’s Eve, I rolled my small piece of luggage out of the hotel where I spent two nights, courtesy of my dear friend Val, and headed out…
