Travel: Chicago Part 1
On Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 I took a flight with American Airlines from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Chicago O'Hare (ORD). As is my habit now, I packed a few facial tissues in my back-pack. I learned this the hard way from my trip to Washington D.C. last year. Hint: if you don't know what is allowed on a flight, check out the searchable TSA website. There is also an app!
I used one of the conveniently abundant self check-in kiosks. First, I scanned my passport, which is not a legal requirement for PA residents yet. Oops, they couldn't find me! I scrambled through my nick wallet for a print of my itinerary to copy my flight number. If you've never used one of these, they are pretty convenient. They prompted me through having a check-in bag: yes, I'm staying for three nights, like duh! Also, I don't know about you, but I find the pay per bag policy a little inconvenient. Luckily, the fee was somewhat convenient, at $30/bag. In goes my credit card and out comes a bag tag and three neatly printed pieces of papers, one of which is a receipt.
Do note the screen will show you a list of things you may not leave in a check-in bag. Remember, TSA guidelines currently allow for carriage of a portable power bank in a back-pack and not the check-in bag.
Following a quick trip to the restroom, I slowly made my way up the escalators to the search area. Shoes and belt off, electronics in their own dedicated bins, jackets off, and all pockets emptied. All clear. Tip: if two lines are open for the check-in use the line furthest from you and closer to the inspection area. That line is usually a little shorter.
It is now time to start doing one of my homework assignments at the gate. I notice the Philadelphia airport has gone through quite a bit of renovation since I've been here half a year earlier. Each gate now has tables with elevated seats, similar to bar tables, furnished with many tablets for you to order your on-demand entertainment in games, music, books, food, or drinks. I pay it no attention. I must finish my homework to be able to see as much of the Windy City as I can. I pull my tablet out and start typing away on its tiny keyboard. What's funny, the portion of the assignment I completed while sitting right here, got me the biggest chunk of my grade when compared to the rest of the assignment.
The attendants started calling-in passengers. I was in the last group. Somewhere along the line, all carry-on bags were called for drop-off. There were no more spaces on the plane! My understanding is that those bags are checked-in with no additional cost to the passengers.
A few hours later, I look down the window, and see sparkling water as far as the eyes can see. We are over Lake Michigan. The pilot had taken to the water to reorient the plane for landing. As we got closer to the beaches, I'm taken by surprise. There were buildings as far as the eyes can see. No tiny row houses of Philly. No single homes of the suburbs. Just multi story buildings from three and counting. I thought there'd be a break somewhere. I had looked up how far the airport was from the beach sometime last night. But... there wasn't. Chicago is so big, I thought it can probably stomp New York! I thought...
While I'm waiting for my bag, on what appeared to be the longest belt I've ever seen, I reached out to Google Maps to lend me its powers in finding the best way to get to the hotel. You see, at Chicago O'Hare soliciting is illegal. Taxi drivers are not present, and if you see them, DO NOT accept their offers. Head to the metro/train/subway. Google is pretty reliable here in Chicago. And the CTA offers a massive transit system, and extremely affordable prices, even when compared to Philly. To give you an anchor: at Philly a one day pass costs $13, at Chicago a three day pass costs $20!
I take the train, transfer once (transfers are free so long you do not exit a station) to the Willows Hotel. The Brown Line as Chicago-ple call it drops me at Diversey station (11 minutes on foot from the hotel). I will soon get very acquainted with this general area. But first, oh look, it's my school!
Um, no, this was totally not planned and a most welcome surprise if I may add! Them people are the reason I'm here today. Tomorrow night they are holding their first "annual" film festival. Alumni of the school have unleashed their creative filming skills to inspire future wannabes like myself. No, the event is not at the school silly.
At the hotel I was greeted by the hotel's big boss. A very pleasant personality. I was a few minutes too early, check-in starts at 3 PM, but they were kind enough to accommodate me. This hotel is very funny. There are animal pictures all over, some even dressed up and all. But that's not it, the attention to detail is so impressive even the carpets adhere to the theme. You'll find out why on day three.
The room I stayed in was small, but very comfortable. What did I do first? After I unpacked you mean? I did the rest of my homework! Yea, I know, not a very well planned trip. The least planned ever, if I do say so myself. That said, I had a good time. It is now around 5 O'clock. I'm hungry and do not want to pass on the opportunity to see some of the city.
I hit up the Chipotle in the same block as the hotel. Why? Well, I didn't want to try exciting foods and possibly miss the film festival! There are plenty of restaurants in this block. You can literally spend a week, doing nothing but sampling the cuisine here. TV show anyone?
Leave your comments below or reach out to me through the Contact Me page. Until next time...
I used one of the conveniently abundant self check-in kiosks. First, I scanned my passport, which is not a legal requirement for PA residents yet. Oops, they couldn't find me! I scrambled through my nick wallet for a print of my itinerary to copy my flight number. If you've never used one of these, they are pretty convenient. They prompted me through having a check-in bag: yes, I'm staying for three nights, like duh! Also, I don't know about you, but I find the pay per bag policy a little inconvenient. Luckily, the fee was somewhat convenient, at $30/bag. In goes my credit card and out comes a bag tag and three neatly printed pieces of papers, one of which is a receipt.
Do note the screen will show you a list of things you may not leave in a check-in bag. Remember, TSA guidelines currently allow for carriage of a portable power bank in a back-pack and not the check-in bag.
Following a quick trip to the restroom, I slowly made my way up the escalators to the search area. Shoes and belt off, electronics in their own dedicated bins, jackets off, and all pockets emptied. All clear. Tip: if two lines are open for the check-in use the line furthest from you and closer to the inspection area. That line is usually a little shorter.
It is now time to start doing one of my homework assignments at the gate. I notice the Philadelphia airport has gone through quite a bit of renovation since I've been here half a year earlier. Each gate now has tables with elevated seats, similar to bar tables, furnished with many tablets for you to order your on-demand entertainment in games, music, books, food, or drinks. I pay it no attention. I must finish my homework to be able to see as much of the Windy City as I can. I pull my tablet out and start typing away on its tiny keyboard. What's funny, the portion of the assignment I completed while sitting right here, got me the biggest chunk of my grade when compared to the rest of the assignment.
The attendants started calling-in passengers. I was in the last group. Somewhere along the line, all carry-on bags were called for drop-off. There were no more spaces on the plane! My understanding is that those bags are checked-in with no additional cost to the passengers.
A few hours later, I look down the window, and see sparkling water as far as the eyes can see. We are over Lake Michigan. The pilot had taken to the water to reorient the plane for landing. As we got closer to the beaches, I'm taken by surprise. There were buildings as far as the eyes can see. No tiny row houses of Philly. No single homes of the suburbs. Just multi story buildings from three and counting. I thought there'd be a break somewhere. I had looked up how far the airport was from the beach sometime last night. But... there wasn't. Chicago is so big, I thought it can probably stomp New York! I thought...
While I'm waiting for my bag, on what appeared to be the longest belt I've ever seen, I reached out to Google Maps to lend me its powers in finding the best way to get to the hotel. You see, at Chicago O'Hare soliciting is illegal. Taxi drivers are not present, and if you see them, DO NOT accept their offers. Head to the metro/train/subway. Google is pretty reliable here in Chicago. And the CTA offers a massive transit system, and extremely affordable prices, even when compared to Philly. To give you an anchor: at Philly a one day pass costs $13, at Chicago a three day pass costs $20!
I take the train, transfer once (transfers are free so long you do not exit a station) to the Willows Hotel. The Brown Line as Chicago-ple call it drops me at Diversey station (11 minutes on foot from the hotel). I will soon get very acquainted with this general area. But first, oh look, it's my school!
Um, no, this was totally not planned and a most welcome surprise if I may add! Them people are the reason I'm here today. Tomorrow night they are holding their first "annual" film festival. Alumni of the school have unleashed their creative filming skills to inspire future wannabes like myself. No, the event is not at the school silly.
At the hotel I was greeted by the hotel's big boss. A very pleasant personality. I was a few minutes too early, check-in starts at 3 PM, but they were kind enough to accommodate me. This hotel is very funny. There are animal pictures all over, some even dressed up and all. But that's not it, the attention to detail is so impressive even the carpets adhere to the theme. You'll find out why on day three.
I hit up the Chipotle in the same block as the hotel. Why? Well, I didn't want to try exciting foods and possibly miss the film festival! There are plenty of restaurants in this block. You can literally spend a week, doing nothing but sampling the cuisine here. TV show anyone?
Leave your comments below or reach out to me through the Contact Me page. Until next time...
