Day 3: Chicago

I got in really late because I visited the Magnificent mile, and I woke up really early because of the full day ahead.

Bongo Room

4 berry brown sugar brioche French toast with warm white chocolate cream, mixed berry coulis & topped with ginger snap cookie crisp.

I realized it’s all downhill from here as I’ll never have French toast this good ever again.

“Agora” 106 cast iron figures at the south end of Millennium Park.

The Field Museum of Natural History. This place was titanic. Over 6 acres and 21 million specimens.

Sue. The largest, most extensive, and best preserved T-rex. The real 600 pound skull is upstairs as it’s too heavy to mount.

Unfortunately, I didn’t plan things out well, so I cut my visit short after 3 hours.

Random place

Chicago Style Hot Dog.

The ingredients don’t mesh well. I don’t get it at all.

The field museum from the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears tower).

Afternoon soccer?

Glass floor. I still don’t like heights.

Random place

Chicago style hot dog. Again.

I still don’t get it.

Crown Fountain at Millenium Park.

Thanks to extremely poor planning, I only had 1 hour at the Chicago Art Institute before I had to leave for the airport.

"The Drinkers" by Vincent van Gogh.

Random place

Chicken Vesuvio.

I wanted to visit this fancier place and try their Chicken Vesuvio, but because of time constraints, I visited this café near the art institute. But instead of the real thing, I got this lame duck generic sandwich version.

Around this time, I developed a terrible rash that was bothering me, but some hydro-cortisone alleviated my symptoms. Little did I know this was a sign of things to come.

Automatic toilet seat cover dispenser @ O'Hare International.

O’hare international food court

Oreo marshmallow desert

Thanks to a delayed flight, I got into Boston around 1am and I ended up taking the wrong bus. Eventually, I found my way, caught one of the last trains and made it to the hostel.

Steps - 13,775

Distance - 11.89 km

Day 2: Chicago

I went on a short walking tour offered by the hostel. As it turns out, this ended up being pretty much the only hostel related thing that I ever did on the whole trip.

Great architecture. Thanks great fire of 1871!.

Mr beef

Italian Beef.

I don’t get the hype. It’s a soggy philly cheesesteak without the cheese.

Random coffee shop

Italian Ice.

Fruitier than a snow cone.

I decided to venture to Hot Doug’s since it was a bit out of the way, but upon arriving I see this. Man was I crushed.

Random Mexican grocer

Lengua (beef tongue) taco. $1.72.

Tastes like regular beef, but a bit saltier. Great value.

Chircharron (fried pork rinds).

I don’t know why I bought half a pound of this as I got tired of it after a few bites.

Random places

Flan.

Pizza puff.

The pizza puff was like a mini calzone. Oh wait, I don’t think I’ve ever had a calzone in my life, so I’ll say it’s a tastier pillsberry pizza pop with more meat.

I decided to visit Silver Palm as Anthony Bourdain declared “3 Little Pigs the greatest sandwich in America”.

Three little pigs sandwich: smoked ham, breaded pork cutlet, 2 strips of bacon and 2 fried eggs blanketed in a thick coat of gruyere all on a brioche bun.

Unfortunately, the restaurant was closed on Mondays and by the time it opened on Tuesday, I needed to be at the airport. It was not my day.

Did I ever mention that things involving eyes freak me out? Probably something to do with how eyes are inherently weak and vulnerable.

Berghoff

Sauerbraten.

Potato pancakes

This restaurant was notable for being the first one to acquire a liquor license after prohibition was repealed.

Yogurt Couture

Peanut & Jelly yogurt with yogurt chips, peanut butter cookie bits and almond slivers.

I couldn’t taste the peanut & jelly flavor, but it was still really good.

The Chicago river from the magnificent mile. My gawd. Most of my photos were brutal.

Deadly traffic accident outside the hostel. I saw the legs of one dude who definitely wasn’t getting up. I’ll try to sleep somehow…

Steps – 13,253

Distance – 11.43 km