Thursday, March 20, 2008

I bet Chicago has better buses than DC.

This morning there was some sort of fire on the way to work. At least, I assume there was a fire because I can't think of any other reason why there would have been approximately 8793401981230874534 fire trucks and police cars on the street, as well as a big fire hose stretched right across the middle of the road. The same road that my bus was attempting to drive down in order to deliver me to work.

So with the fire hose blocking the road, we could do nothing but sit there for half an hour until traffic was allowed to move again. And by "we" of course I mean the drivers, because "we" the passengers COULD have gotten out of the bus, walked to the Metro, and gotten to work on time. That is, we could have taken the Metro if, and only if, our bus driver had let us off the bus. Which she did not, because we were not at an official bus stop. One passenger even claimed to be sick and said she had to get off the bus before she puked. Nothing doing.

Let's just hope that the crappy bus ride was just me getting travel issues out of my system early, because we are flying to Chicago this evening and I hear the weather isn't supposed to be great. I am so looking forward to this weekend. We have yet to figure out what we're going to do with ourselves between meals, but I do have a vague idea, and there's one thing I know--I will be taking your great advice and not thinking about wedding invitations at all. And speaking of, thank you guys so much for your response to my post yesterday. I was completely floored at the comments, emails, and IMs offering advice, suggestions, design help... you guys are so sweet. And yeah, I know it's only invitations. So, I'm going to take a break from thinking about them.

And instead, I'm going to think about Chicago! And the Magnificent Mile and the Navy Pier and Lake Michigan and the fun museums and shops and restaurants! And not about the crappy weather that is supposedly awaiting us! Does anyone have any suggestions for what we should do while we're there?

43 comments:

  1. I have always wanted to go to Chicago. I hope you have a great time. :) And a safe trip!

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  2. Ooooh!! Have fun in Chicago! I freaking LOVE that city.

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  3. Oh, I hate how the bus drivers won't let you out if you're not at a stop. They do the same thing in NYC.

    It's especially annoying when I'm riding the bus home, as there is a stoplight literally right outside of my apartment building where the bus stops about 95% of the time. And they will NEVER let me out there, and instead I have to wait for the bus to go halfway down the next block as I watch my apartment door go by. Sad.

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  4. FYI, the bad weather isn't supposed to arrive until after midnight. Let's hope your travels are unaffected!

    And instead of suggesting what you can do while in Chicago ... why don't we talk about it tomorrow night over beers?!?! :-) Looking forward to meeting you and Torsten!

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  5. good news! weather is not supposed to get truly crappy until overnight tonight, so your flight should be able to come in no problem! (but, um, you might want to bring some snow boots. sorry.)

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  6. I had an !amazing! omelet at Orange on Harrison. Sorry but I always think of trips in terms of the food. Also, Navy Pier at night was gorgeous.

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  7. i can't believe the driver wouldn't let you off. that's ludicrous. i can't believe no one staged a riot or anything.

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  8. i've never been so i have no advice, but tell us all about it when you get back. i'm dying to visit.

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  9. OOH I've wanted to go to Chicago for so long. Please come back with LOTS of pics and stories and have SO much fun and relax and dont wedding stress! We have plenty of time for that ;)

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  10. I love Chicago! I've heard the aquarium is nice; we didn't get a chance to go there.

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  11. Not letting people off at non-stops is a strange rule. I had a friend get stuck on a broken down bus in Atlanta in August, and they would not let people off. There was no air conditioner and people were on the verge of passing out before another bus came to cart them off.

    Have so much fun in Chicago! I've always wanted to go because I hear it's a great city. Happy travels!

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  12. Even if the weather's bad, the Art Institute is a must do if you like art. If the weather's good, definitely walk alongside the river -- that's one of my favorite parts of the city.

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  13. I recommened doing some shopping, or at least window shopping along Michigan Avenue. I hope you have a great trip!

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  14. cheesecake factory.
    'nuff said. :)

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  15. chicago does have better buses.

    and some crazy shit, read here, he lives in chicago

    http://toomuchawesome.blogspot.com/

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  16. WHAT?? CHICAGO. HOW DID I NOT KNOW THIS. I OWWWWWN CHICAGO.

    ok. deep breath.

    can you please email me? or can i please email you? i have about one million things i can suggest one must do or eat or visit or play. seriously.

    depending on what you like =)

    i can't make too many promises about the buses and the weather is on the chilly side but you are going to love it here. i need to know where you're staying so i can suggest things around that area too!

    have a safe flight!!

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  17. Happy Birthday this weekend, Jess.

    And scope out all the fun stuff to do in Chicago. I'm heading there next Friday for a girls weekend. Wheeee!

    Commuters here had to put up with cows on the highway this morning. A cattle truck overturned and the cows all escaped. Funny for me, because it wasn't on my route.

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  18. After waiting in -16 degree weather for a bus for 45 minutes in Chicago, I was not a fan of their mass transit.

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  19. ohhh i'm so jealous. i want to make a trip to chicago soon! make sure you check out millenium park when you're on michigan ave--it has the giant silver bean!

    navy pier is fun too, but i've only been there in the summer. i hope the weather is alright for you!

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  20. Chicago sounds like a total blast. I've never been, so I have no fun suggestions to offer. Except that my favorite thing to do on vacation, especially in a new-to-me place, is to plan at least part of the time to have no plans at all and just do whatever we feel like doing in the moment.

    Says the girl who spends weeks reading through travel guide books, even for a long weekend.

    Have fun! We can't wait to hear all about it!

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  21. I've never been to Chicago, but as a suburbanite of DC I'm willing to bet that ANY PLACE IN THE ENTIRE DAMN WORLD has better luck with traffic than DC. I feel your pain about the bus story.

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  22. I hate stupid rules like that about the bus. I can't believe she just wouldn't let you off at all!

    Have a great trip to Chicago!

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  23. I say do the Frank Lloyd Wright tour while you are there.

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  24. If you have time, go find me a studio apartment in Evanston.

    Walking distance to the Northwestern campus, please!

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  25. Have fun in Chicago! What takes you there?

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  27. OOh, Rob and I went to Chicago this past December and had a ball. My favorite was this place called...um...Bin 36 (I think). YUMMO.

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  28. I've never been, but I would stalk the Top Chef cast if they're still filming there :)

    Have so much fun!

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  29. I can't believe they wouldn't let you off!

    Have fun!

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  30. I absolutely love Chicago! I'd consider living there if I wasn't such a woose when it came to the cold. I'd check out the Fields Museum. Awesome! They have this new exhibit, Mystic Creatures. I would love to see it.

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  31. While I love mass transit because it means there is less pressure to get my license (yeah I know I'm almost thirty and don't drive, I'm pathetic :) ) I also hate being at the mercy of the mass transit system and the many many things that can hold it up. I have only had one problem so far here in Portland and it was an anomaly.

    Just pray that your transit workers don't go on strike. A transit strike is noooooo fun.

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  32. I heart Chicago. Even if a certain asshole lives there.

    But um. Museum of Holography. Look it up. SO FREAKING COOL. I spent like an hour and a half there, and it was so much fun. Also, have chicken fingers and martinis at the top of the John Hancock observatory. It's fun.

    Ah, Chicago. I miss you.

    Hope you and Nilsa have a great time tomorrow night!

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  33. In Toronto I've often seen buses let people off in between stops. For women after dark it's a standard policy (it's safer... why make women walk alone in the dark farther than they have to?). And any time of day, when there are roadworks or accidents, it's just polite to everyone.

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  34. I have a feeling buses just have been out of it lately.

    My brother took one to Miami from Nashville and was stuck in Atlanta all night. Crazy! He and a friend took out their guitars and he said everyone in the bus station was watching a singing. I wish I could make ever situation a good one.

    Have fun in Chicago and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! :)

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  35. Oh yeah! It's your trip this weekend. I hope the weather in Chicago is NOTHING like it is here....Enjoy your trip!

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  36. Chicago: Best. City. EVER. It is only my favorite! I used to go there at least twice a year though I sadly haven't been in about two years.

    Yeah, Navy Pier is fun but I am a nerd so I appreciate the museums! I love the Museum of Science and Industry, The Shedd Aquarium and The Field Museum. I tend to wander away from downtown a lot and find great little neighborhoods with fabulous food, drink and people but... I can never remember where I am when I find them. However, the best Chicago-style pizza ever is at Pizzeria Due (doo-ay) near the corner of Wabash and Ontario Streets right off the Mag Mile. You won't be disappointed.

    Since I was silly and wore a thin coat in the middle of October, I experienced the whole Windy City thing. It does get pretty gusty there and the lake makes it chilly. But the lake is sooooo pretty!

    I have to warn you that Chicago proper has about a 10% sales tax though...not to dampen your fun, I'm just sayin'. My friend got BURNED buying uber-expensive shoes at and uber-expensive department store without knowing this.

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  37. i hate when drivers are so hardcore about it not being an official stop! it's broad daylight! and i'm a grown up! let me off the dang bus, already!!

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  38. They wouldn't let you off? Seriously?
    I think some bus drivers take their job just to punish people.
    Have fun in Chicago! I'm going there in June! Yay!

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  39. Ooooh Chicago, have fun! I adore that city.

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  40. Chicago is awesome. The aquarium is spectacular, and I would also advise trying to get tickets to a comedy club if you can. So fun.
    And say hi to my husband's cousins!

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  41. Wow, the driver wouldn't let you off? That's crazy!

    As for what you should do in Chicago, THE SHEDD AQUARIUM is probably my favorite attraction. I try to go every time. What else.. the Sears Tower (it's kind of expensive for what you actually DO but well, it's neat up there), Navy Pier would be a great idea if it weren't so darn cold this weekend.

    I would stay away from the Museum of Science and Industry (unless you like that sort of thing). I found it to be not worth the money - a total snoozefest!

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  42. You're off to Chicago by now but I wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday! Enjoy your long weekend!

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  43. Chicago sounds fun, I haven't been there in ages.

    My little mind, whenever I am stopped by the fire trucks, thinks: Fires are so inconvenient, you know? It's selfish but I think it anyway.

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