Who visits Chicago in the winter? Who bundles up for the frigid cold, blustery winds, and icy waters? Tough, hardy, resilient chionophiles who laugh in the face of frosty conditions, that’s who. Strong rugged souls who are ready to take whatever nature dishes out. People who dare the elements to try to overtake them with numbing temperatures and biting rushes of air.
Yeah, so why did I find myself in Chicago in January? Puny little me, who cries when my toes get too cold? What in the world was I doing there?
Short story short, I accompanied my husband Rob on his business trip to Chicago. We retired teachers can do things like that. This trip was all Business. Rob attended his Business convention and hobnobbed with people who knew people. And, I made it MY Business to explore Chicago and have fun. Rob was able to have a little fun with me, and I was able to attend a few dinners and receptions to meet some of his work colleagues. But, I tried to stay away from work-talk as much as possible.
Talk to me about the arts. Talk to me about culture. Talk to me about travel and diversity in the world. Talk to me about nature. Talk to me about children. Talk to me about the essence of man. Talk to me about food. Talk to me about the mysteries of the universe. Talk to me about music. Talk to me about spirituality. Talk to me about language. Talk to me about animals. Talk to me about storytelling. Talk to me about ecology and science and exploration. Talk to me about man’s inhumanity to man, and the forces of good and evil. Just don’t talk to me about industrial tooling. My eyes glaze over as soon as the dialogue turns to millimeter coiling measurements and fabrication of materials. I don’t know what you are talking about, and I don’t want to know. To be sure, I am glad that there is such an industry, and that thousands of interested parties gather to convene and further their pursuits in that type of work. That business has certainly put a roof over our heads for a long while. But, I have zero to no desire to understand it or converse even casually about it. I have many other things to talk about (see list above.)
I like to explore and have a good time no matter where I am, and Chicago was no exception. Rob and I are BIG live music fans, and we were thrilled to visit Buddy Guy’s Legends bar, where Blues icon Buddy Guy himself was playing. The 87 year old was spry, entertaining, musically solid, and full of personality. We sat right in the front row. We were so close, I could have held hands with him while he performed. He gave me a guitar pick at the end of the show! Damn right, I’ve got the Blues.
Personal observation: In the last few years we have seen inspiring live performances by many aging musicians. I have also known many family members, friends, and acquaintances who have reached the golden years of 80, 90, and even 100. All I'm saying is that there is no one in my circle of seniors who would have the energy, nimbleness, fortitude, and spunk to get on stage and gyrate around while singing and deftly playing an instrument. According to my observational research, the lifestyle of "Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n Roll" just might have something going for it. Could be the secret to a long productive life. I'm just sayin'.
In Chicago, we also visited the Art Institute of Chicago, a world class museum. I mean, really world class. I was in my element, discovering one masterpiece after another. Picasso, Renoir, O'Keeffe, Seurat, Monet, Wood, Van Gogh, Matisse, Gauguin, Hopper, Cezanne, Toulouse-Lautrec, Whistler, Chagall, the list goes on and on. A 5-star rating in my book. Can’t wait to visit again.
I also took a walking tour to investigate architecture and building interiors. I was freaked out to find that I was the ONLY customer for the 2-hour tour. I’m not much of a chit-chatter, especially with a stranger. But, my tour guide was a good sport and I tipped him handsomely for giving me the private tour. Fabulous interiors hiding in plain sight.
I went to the campus of Loyola University Chicago. I did not see Sister Jean, but there was a celebratory poster of her on one of the campus walls. ICYMI, she is the 104 year old nun who serves as chaplain for the men’s basketball team. She skyrocketed to fame when cheering courtside for her Loyola Chicago team as they played in the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament a few years ago. Everybody loves Sister Jean.
Sister Jean notwithstanding, the real reason I went to Loyola Chicago was the Steve McCurry ICONS photography exhibit. Steve McCurry is a world-renowned photographer who captures the human experience in settings all over the world. His photos are absolutely stunning. The depth of emotion. At the exhibit his recorded narration gave context to many of the scenes that he captured. His work is sheer genius.
Temperatures dropped to 4 deg F (cccold), which my temperature converter says is -15C. We bundled and bundled and bundled up when we ventured out. I had hoped that the temperatures would drop to negative F, as was predicted, so that I could run out into the sub-zero cold, just to say that I had. But, it didn’t get quite that bitter. While we were there, the cold snap moved out, but the city remained damp, foggy, and gritty. There was snow on the ground and ice in the water. A four-day winter visit was enough for me. Navigating around a busy city tends to wear me down after a while.
One last surprise was when, cold and damp, I wandered into Fourth Presbyterian Church, whose doors were open, beckoning one and all to come inside. "Open to All Guests Mon - Fri, 9:30am-3:30pm." As I sat in the sanctuary, noticing the small pockets of people sitting around in the pews, I sensed that some of them didn’t seem to have anywhere else to go. Kudos to the church for providing a place that was warm and dry, and for welcoming people from the street. Fourth Presbyterian has got it right, I think. To add to the comforting atmosphere in the building, the church organist arrived and started practicing music with beautiful runs and complex rhythms. The uplifting music swelled throughout the chapel as we relaxed in the pews. It was completely enchanting.
I had a wonderful trip to Chicago. Many memories that I will carry with me for a long time. As penned by Carl Sandburg:
……I turn once more to those who sneer at this my city, and I give them back the sneer and say to them:
Come and show me another city with lifted head singing so proud to be alive and coarse and strong and cunning...……Laughing the stormy, husky, brawling laughter of Youth…..
"Chicago" -- Carl Sandburg