The belated Chicago Recap - Day 1

Hey yaars,

Yes, this is probably about 2 weeks overdue, but the deadly combination of work, lack of sleep, and procrastination had me neglect my precious blog for the last few weeks. For that I once again humbly apologize and hope you all will have it in your hearts to forgive me.

Now that the lame formalities are out of the way...

Chicago was totally FUN-DASTIC!

I wish I would have had another day or two to do everything I wanted, but we packed in as much as we could for the 4.5 days we were there. And of course I have a bit of griping about certain things that occurred...

Day 1 - The arrival

As written in my post the day I landed, we almost missed our plane. Thanks to the speed of yours truly, we managed to make it just in the nick of time though. I think if I HAVE to run, I can do it at a decent pace, just not the other 99% of the time.

We arrived in Chicago and went to the Budget Rent-A-Car. I geekily hoped they had the Pontiac G6 I had ordered online, but alas they didnt have it. They were offering a Ford Mustang as a replacement, but a 2-door car just wouldn't work for my family. So we got stuck with a Hyundai. Of course, it ends up being a Hyundai Azera, which is their luxury car! Here's a pic of me in the car after the White Sox game...

Yes, it was a totally sweet ride. I'm actually trying to save up to buy one soon.

So with dread I drive on the I-90 to get to my family's home. Of course I get lost trying to transfer highways, and got delayed an hour. For once it wasn't my fault - the directions we had were outdated (bloody Google maps!). We eventually got there, mind you the first few minutes in the car reminded me of driving school all over again. The Hyundai Azera is just a tad above my Saturn in it's driving experience.

We get to their home and wait for the hosts to get home from work. In that time Zan and I managed to watch some cricket and update our respective blogs. Immediately after our hosts arrive, Zan and I rush over to Woodfield mall (5th largets in N. America) to do some preliminary shopping. The result - a Chicago Bears hoody for your boy.

Dinner was some not-so-great desi food cooked by my cousin. I think my mom spoils us with her culinary skills.

Then of course the main event - picking up my uncle from downtown Chicago. I had already planned my route and timed how we'd get home and get to bed so that we could wake up and prepare for the White Sox game the next afternoon. That all flew out the window when my uncle called, telling us his greyound bus would be 2 hours late - meaning we'd have to pick him up at 1:30 AM. In downtown Chicago. In a not so great area. In a brand new luxury car!

We trekked out at around 11 (mom's orders), and against my wishes my mom accompanied us. She panics when I drive HERE, so I was worried she'd flip in the car. Surprisingly she was good the whole time. Even when we left her at the bus terminal alone as Zan and I had to watch the car to make sure it wouldn't be towed out of the empty parking lot which had no attendant.

Finally, our uncle comes out of his bus, wearing a denim shirt and jeans, with an open leather jacket - in cold windy weather. His bravado was not exactly appreciated when I had to jack up the heat in the car and boil all the way home!

So that was the first day!