Hi, Chi-town!

Mom ready to take on Chicago!

I am literally one step away from my next adventure beginning! In 11 days, I'll be boarding a plane to England to explore the country with an old high school friend, Sara!

Well that is if I get my visa from the Greek consulate!

Mom and I flew to Chicago from August 5th to August 7th to meet with the consulate. We got into Chicago in the late afternoon, so we didn't have much time to do anything. We just got dinner and stayed in the hotel (we stayed at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile) planning some adventures tomorrow.

The next day, we woke up, turned the corner, walked literally across the block and we were at the consulate! We were addressed to sit in this tight, hot conference-like room that was actually their waiting room. There were two other kids my age sitting in there getting their visa, too. One boy, Milos, who is actually going on the same trip as me and another girl. Milos and I didn't talk much because he was called in first and didn't seem like he wanted to chat much, but the girl and I hit it off! She was just a grounded, well-rounded, sweet girl. But, as you can tell, I goofed and didn't catch her name. Shame, right?

View from our hotel

A quick side story about the guests that entered the waiting room, several Greek men and their families entered and exited the room while we waited and every Greek that came in threw out a τι κανεισ right at mom. And just to mom, never to me! Mom had to tell each of them that she wasn't Greek, but rather, of Italian descent. Here's how the conversations went:

 "Oh, I'm not Greek. I'm Italian."
"Ah. You look Italian. I should have known."
"Well, Danielle, my daughter, is actually Italian and Filipino!" 
"Huh! You don't look Filipino! But, did you know Italians are actually Greeks?"

We met a lot of interesting individuals in our time there! But, I just want to say, I was given only two stereotypes of Greeks from "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and it's that they think everything is from Greek descent and that they are loud. Let's just say, I see where the stereotypes come from!

After waiting, mom and I went upstairs and turned in our paper work, which actually was a small ordeal mainly because they wanted simple numbers and our financial work is more confusing than a labyrinth! But we managed and got out around 3. By that time, our plans to see touristy Chicago was tossed, so we got a late, late lunch, shopped until our dinner reservation time, got dinner at the Hard Rock cause I'm a sap, printed our tickets, and packed.

Chicago Hard Rock Cafe

The last thing I want to mention about Chicago is our departure!

We made our way to Midway airport and got in the TSA line. But when we got to the carry-on luggage scanners, security told us to keep everything in our backpacks (including medicine and electronics), to keep our shoes and sweaters on, and to walk through an old school metal detector! What! Mom was so in shock that she asked several times if this was for real! Let's just say it was a blast from the past!

Oh, and before we left, I got myself a genuine Chicago style dog! And, to my embarrassment,
I learned that you don't eat them with ketchup.

I'm always learning!

So, hopefully the trip to Chicago is worth it if I get my visa! Regardless, it was a beautiful, lively city that I would not mind visiting again! Mom and I did a lot of local things this time, but I hope next time I'll get to explore the art museum, see the Bean, go up Willis Tower, formally known as the Sears tower, and see some of my college and high school friends, but let's save that adventure for another day.

Until next time Chicago!