Chicago

The only part of New York, New York that is right is the "if I can make it there, I can make it anywhere."

Chicago is a much better town and like the song says "my kinda town". The people are better, the food better, everything so far is better for me.

I've been there 3 times now and I go back once more. I'm trying to figure out how to best use my limited time there. I'm looking at restaurants mainly since it will still be February when I go back. Maybe the Field Museum but I know I can't do it all in a day.

I really can't wait to go back and even more so, can't wait to go there in good weather with Simon! There is SOO much to photograph!

Ok, to focus on the food, the best food I've had so far:
1) Russian Tea Room. This is just across from the Art Institute and has fantastic food and like everywhere in Chicago, good, warm people. I had borscht there which is so good, it doesn't even need the sour cream (blasphemy) and these sweet pumpkin things that were kind of pancakes/blintzes/crepes. It was here that I realized that you need to visit cities in the cold weather months to find out what they are really like. Then I had this confirmed by hearing 2 others in the same restaurant say the same thing. They were talking about Russia, and how the best time to visit Russia is New Years. So, now I have a new travel goal.

2) Deep Dish. Growing up with NY style it took some doing to get me to even try this and when I did I still wanted to hold it instead of use a fork. This makes me laugh at myself! Chicago pizza is a real pie and is meant to be eaten with a large group of people. It is much more social and I believe the true place to "share a pie". NY is much more an individual thing, a SLICE, you can eat standing at the counter or even walking if skilled. Aint no room for that with deep dish. Just saw that the best place in town is a place called Burt's. I won't get there on the next visit though.

3) Polish/Lithuanian place by Midway. It is bad that I can't remember what it is called but this place is so authentic I felt as if it has never changed since the day they opened it. Food was strange and heavy and a bit intimidating but wonderful and deceptively complex for simple food.

Ok, now to transportation: I don't think I've felt as free and easy on public transportation since I was a young teen with friends from Jersey going into Philly, where you feel all the fun and excitement but none of the fear because you are a teen and invincible! I've probably talked to more strangers in Chicago and felt like they were decent conversations, not just chatter, than every where else in the whole world all combined. I've only been on the Orange, Blue and Red lines but I like the El a LOT.

Now to entertainment/creative opportunity: In NYC or SF I always felt like there was just too much to do and it was too exclusive somehow. In Chicago I feel like if I just had more time there I could do everything!

I could totally live in Chicago!