We're finally back from Chicago! Why did it seem like we were gone for a month?

Anyway, I learned one very important thing in Chicago. I am NOT a big city girl. There's way too much concrete, asphalt, and people. And holy moly is it expensive. Good gravy!

Friday night after we arrived, checked in, and got settled we had quite a dining experience. LMK chose a restaurant that was close to the hotel and sounded inexpensive and reasonable. We ended up at Dick's Last Resort which was listed as a bar and grill. I knew we were in trouble when the waitress told us that sometimes they can be a "little rude". Mind you, this is after she was yelling at some other table. Me? I was terrified. I turned on my good teacher manners and "please" and "thank you"'d myself to death. Twin got saucy with her. To each his own, I guess. The food was good though and after I relaxed a little I had a good time. I even wrote on the table! Scandalous!

Later, we walked over to the Lego store (just as it was closing). LMK looked almost giddy at the lifesize R2D2 and Darth Vader made from Legos. Bet me we have a picture of him with them. Heh. Boys.

On Saturday, Twin and I decided to walk to Navy Pier. First, it looked a lot closer from our hotel. Then I wore the wrong shoes (totally my fault) and my feet hurt almost immediately. Lastly, it was hot. I don't handle hot well. Then put me on a medicine that makes me intolerable to heat and I get down right bitchy. But, now I can say I've been there and it wasn't ALL bad. They have these cute bike carts you can rent. I so wanted to go that. It looked like lots of fun.

Saturday night we ordered Chicago hot dogs (not too bad) and Chicago deep dish pizza (yummy!). Sunday, Twin and I decided to go to Shedd Aquarium before the soccer game at 12. If LMK had dropped us off before parking at Soldier Field it wouldn't have been too bad, but once again the heat and the distance killed us.

Good things about Chicago (according to me):

  • Chicago Deep Dish Pizza
  • Shedd Aquarium with the indoor oceanarium - too cool!
  • Chicago hot dogs
  • The nice Chicago lady who gave us directions when we were standing looking completely lost on a street corner.
  • LMK's Coaching Symposium
  • Seeing one of the refs for the game at our hotel
  • US National Team Game
  • Seeing LMK practically giddy while enjoying the game - I would go back to Chicago if it meant he'd be this happy again.
Before I end this post, let me do one little soccer rant. This being my first time at a national team event I was surprised and impressed by the national team at the end of the game. In 100 degree heat, after shaking hands with the New Zealand team, they ran a lap around the stadium waving to the fans and thanking them for coming. Just one more reason to love soccer, I guess. They're good to their fans. They're good role models.