One More for the Road: Sunday, August 17, 2014

I can only begin by saying that this day was hurried and awesome. Trevor and Liz drove up from Indy for a spontaneous mini road trip. We started the day off by packing up the car and heading for the city. We wanted to explore Chinatown, as everyone does when they go to a large city. Chicago's Chinatown seems more focused on food than shopping. I'm not complaining, just making a general observation. Daniel's goal of the day was to get a delightful bubble tea. While I enjoy bubble tea, I really need to be in the mood for it. Our first stop was a small restaurant in the atrium in Chinatown, called Lao Bejing. I cannot describe how delicious this was. I had vegetarian dumplings for the first time, and a side of veggie spring rolls that I shared with the Daniel. However, I was so preoccupied with thoughts and anxieties of the what ifs of the day that I could barely eat. And what a shame that is. I have never been on an international flight before, so I didn't know how security would be and how long the lines to check in would be, the list goes on and on and it was exhausting. When we finished our food and after Daniel acquired his papaya bubble tea, we headed for Millenium Park to show Liz the "bean." We took some more obligatory tourist photos, of course. We, unfortunately, didn't have time to take them to Navy Pier, but we did get some refreshment in the form of coffee. We went to a specialty coffee shop (hello hipsters) called Intelligentista. Riding the rail in Chicago has further ingrained in me how much I enjoy cities where we do not have to drive. With that ease of transportation and being worry free when it comes to traffic and crazy "big city" drivers, it does take a while to get where you want. Changing trains, waiting for the next one, making sure you are on the platform going the right way. It still significantly reduces stress related to vacation. Tyler, Tara, Liz, and Trevor saw us off to the airport. It was enjoyable being surrounded by friends before going on an adventure. I am definitely glad we arrived at the airport with almost 4 hours before take off. By the time we got through check-in and security, we only had an hour and a half to rest. I was famished by this point, so I had the most expensive veggie burger I have ever paid for, this being at an airport. I mean, really? Why? What is the point, other than being jerks, of raising prices so high? I could have had a larger veggie burger for the same price with sides and a drink at Saul Goods or something. I was so certain we would be the only Witnesses on our flight, and how glad I was to be proved wrong! We met a mother and daughter from the Rockport, IL ASL congregation. And now for the 13 1/2 hour flight in which we lose 6 hours. Until next time!