Rich's Magnificent Adventure

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If you've nothing better to do

Chicago - Sept 1-3, 1996

I decided to visit Chicago because I felt an obligation to take advantage of Southwest Airlines special promotion ($25 one way). I had been to Chigago previously and, even though I was dieting, I gained about 7 pounds in one week. This time, I decided to suspend my current diet, visit Chicago, and start dieting again upon my return.

Finding my hotel, The Allerton turned out to be my first adventure. I circled downtown Chicago like vultures, attempting to spot the place. It clearly claimed to be at 701 N. Michagan - this is a prime spot of real estate, on the "Miracle Mile". Giving up in dispair, I parked the Taurus (A mighty fine car) and resolved that I would walk around the 700 block until I found the Hotel. Walking toward Michagan, I saw the "Allerton". The entrance was about 50 ft off of Michagan. (On the opposite side of the street from where I had been looking.)

This hotel, while it has certainly seen better days, is one nice place. (Credit goes to a trusty travel agent) It would be interesting to know who had stayed there during its' hey-day. I can easily see the movie stars of old hanging out in this joint. Unfortunately, for the hotel, and fortunately for us, newer hotels seem to have siphoned off those people willing to pay top dollar. Most of the clientele seemed to be students and retired NASA engineers.

The room was fantastic!!! It was a corner suite on the 22nd floor. (Specifically 2201 if you care to try it out). I was exactly on the corner of Michigan Ave and Huron. Looking down from the corner window was the intersection. Looking south from the window was part of the Magnificent Mile with the Chicago Loop in the background. The view at night was spectacular.

The suite itself was pretty nifty as well. The dining area had a large dining table (and two more leaves for the table in the closet) as well as a wet bar with mirror and wine rack. The corner had a couple of large wing-back type chairs. There was an alcove that could serve as a computer room (currently holding only a desk and chair and build in bookcases). Fortunately, the living area also had a large couch that was extremely comfortable.

There were a couple of activities planned.

• The major one was a trip to Wrigley Field. I'm not a big baseball fan (I question its categorization as a sport) but I do like Wrigley Field. The whole scene seems like a large family outing. The beer vendors seem friendly and to really want to get you soused while the people on the rooftops next door seem just part of the overall party atmosphere.
• Visiting chinatown was another. I wanted to try to find a large carved Chinese stamp that I had seen the last time I was there. (That's only about 4 years ago) I thought perhaps the stamp might still be there. Nope, not there. I actually found the same store!! (Mandar-Inn Gifts, 2319 South Wentworth, Chicago. 312-326-5082) As a consolidation, I bought a couple of medium sized stamps. I'll try to include pictures of them shortly. (These stamps - for those of you who are unwashed/uneducated - are, I think, called "chops" and are carved from soapstone/jade/etc.) They are very interesting and only the coolest people collect them.
• Eating at Papagus Taverina was the last goal. I stumbled around through downtown Chicago. Eventually, I stumbled over to 620 North State Street (yes, that's correct, it's only 3 or 4 blocks from the Allerton!). I started off with a couple of beers (brewed especially for them by a local brewery) and some feta with olive oil and olives. I returned later that night to kill a couple of bottles of Retsina and eat myself into a stupor. Fantastic food and the waitress (Shelia) was pretty neat as well. I had planned on eating somewhere else the second night but somehow found myself back there. This time I ordered baked fish (against Sheila's advice). For dessert (the second night) I had a Fig Custard. The Fig Custard was actually more like a Chocolate Mousse. Of course that's like saying that Michael Jordan is a basketball player.

Just walking around Chicago was a treat. There was:

• street music,
• beautiful courtyards with fountains,
• interesting architecture,
• well kept lawns
• and even a little Houston-style discipline

Returning to Houston...