Last week I had the pleasure to stay a week in Windy City where the weather was playing crazy during my sojourn. I mean, one day it was terribly hot and the other day it was raining and in between there were like the worst tornados in the last decade. But first things first..you know I've been around the world but there is always a moment where you get into situations that would require a normal display of intelligence but you're unable to react because you have a mental blackout. Well, I had such a moment when I left O'Hare airport and I dont know whether it was the humidity or something else but I said 'yes' to a first guy who was waiting for victims at the exit, asking me whether we would need a taxi. I was travelling with a colleague so at least I can say I was not alone in my temporary madness because we got ripped off so bad by this Indian guy it was unbelievable. He charged us like 160 USD to our hotel, which normally costs like 50 USD so imagine the surprise when we asked the receptionist at the hotel what a taxi would normally charge..I still can't believe how I made that stupid mistake; it was definitely a moment of mental interruption. So people, try to avoid any dubious Indian guy asking you whether you would need a taxi. Always ask for a taximeter. That bastard..if I should ever go there again I will look for that guy and give him such an ass-kick he can't forget..
I stayed at the Chicago Essex Inn, which claimed to be a three star hotel. So it was a pretty mediocre hotel, with a swimming pool. I mean, the room was clean but it is an old hotel that surely needs some renovation. It had a good location for me as it was not far away from the McCormic Centre but other than that the hotel didn't have much to offer. You should avoid it if you can. There are certainly better accomodations.
The first day was a day off so me and my colleague we took advantage and tried to see as many sightseeings as possible. We went to the Willis Tower a.k.a Sears Tower and it was quite impressive. But after 10 minutes they told us that a storm was coming and that we had to clear the area. Wtf? you pay 20 USD to get up but it turned out to be the worst weather in the last decade as the south of Chicago area was hit by 9 tornados. So we went back to the hotel after our failed attempt to stroll through the city and we ate at the hotel restaurant. Food was okay.
Next morning I was watching the local news on TV and it was filled with shoot-outs, tornados and protests..I thought what a lovely city to be in.
But the following days the weather was playing along more or less and although there were some rainy moments most of the time it was sunny with a lot of humidity. The Blackhawks had won the Stanley Cup and everyhwere were people wearing the red jerseys. So after all I must say, I am glad that I have visited Chicago, it has a nice park with an unidentified object called the 'beanie' and countless wonderful examples of architecture but I am pretty sure there are cities in the US that are certainly nicer. People were friendly but I have to admit that I have never seen before so many obese people like I have here and there were a lot of beggars, which is really sad of course. Oh..and it is really an expensive city.
