Chicago Trip

Hmm, so apparently I should have uploaded these in reverse order. I knew that, but it's hard to go backwards when I have an orderly list all made out. So here is my trip with Rosalind to Chicago--in reverse order.

Actually, we did start out on the train, but this is a picture of us returning--see the fatigue in my eyes? Rosalind looks a bit peppier, but that's because she slept in the car all the way to Michigan City, and then on my lap most of the way to Chicago while I smoothed her hair. I, on the other hand, got my nap sitting on a chair outside the dressing room at Forever 21 on Michigan Ave, with my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands. Who looks better rested?

We went to Fox & Obel, an amazing gourmet grocery store just West of Navy Pier. We bought quite a bit of belgium dark chocolate, as a easily-carried gift for Mom and Dad and David. We also split this delicious baked fruit tart--see the layer of marzipan?
We started out our day in Chicago with lunch at Rick Bayless' Xoco. Rosalind had a torta with smoked pork loin, bacon, black beans, avocados, and chipotle mayonnaise. She said it was amazing.

I had a caldo, which means hot soup with lots of stuff and an enormous spoon. See all my woodland mushrooms and black beans and potato-dumpling-type stuff and onions and greens? It was delicious--but very, very big.

We started out with chips, salsa, guacamole, and spanish hot chocolate which is like hot dark chocolate pudding. The guac was excellent, and the salsas were smokey (red) and sweet/hot (green).

Great time in Chicago. We also walked, and walked, and walked; shopped, and shopped, and shopped; ate buns from Wow Bao; got hand massages at Lush inside Macy's on State Street; and wished we had more energy to wander even farther. All in all, a great day. But next time, I want to go South of Randolph. Anyone want to come?