The next morning the guys met us at our room to carry down our luggage. We figured this would make it look like they slept in the hotel too and were therefore deserving of the free continental breakfast. Our plan must have worked, because we all ate AND the girls didn't have to carry their suitcases. Smart, huh? Next we drove to some train station- this is where the boys and girls got in a fight. The boys parked their car in the last parking space near the train. Of course, they got out of their car and "helped" us girls look for a space. We ended up driving forever away out of town until we could find a spot that didn't sport a sign warning us we would come back to a hefty towing fee. Then we proceeded to ignore all texts and phone calls from three particular males until we were satisfied they were truly repentant. (Side note- they actually had to move out of their fantastic parking spot because they didn't have the appropriate parking pass. But, in reality, I feel more sorry for the girls- myself included.) All this fuss caused us to miss our train, so we filled in the next hour looking for a deck of cards to play Euchre.
Once in Chicago, we headed directly to Gino's East. Oh my word- this place NEVER lets me down. So stinking good. There really aren't good words in the English language to describe just how tasty our pizzas were. Of course, the flavor of the pizza was complimented by conversation and Euchre. After pizza, we walked around downtown, visiting the famous "bean," congratulating at least 10 newly married couples taking pictures, and walking within site distance of the Navy Pier before pooping out under a tree. Alas, it was then time to head back to Union Station and Jordan's apartment. The train ride included the following: getting the best seats ever and then having to move to another car, getting the best seats ever on the 2nd car, watching a girl get her face smashed in the closing doors of the train, gummy bears, kettle corn, and even more Euchre. Then a sad goodbye and Josh and I were off to meet his mother and brother for the duration of our weekend in Chicago.
Our time with Cindy and Mike was lovely- including hot tubbing with an older man that was quite angry when we turned the jets off (they were louder than a hurricane- seriously, headache levels), a delicious breakfast of the largest bowl of fruit EVER- topped in whipped cream that needed a bit more whipping, Ikea, more eating, and walking around a mall of gigantic proportions. The kind where I walk in and get so overwhelmed I lose any desire to shop. I know- it was actually that big. I suppose I shouldn't ever visit the Mall of America. Just saying. Then? Bowling, of course! We shared our seating area with two dads taking their 4 sons bowling. So lovely- they cheered for us whenever we got strikes or spares, and we cheered for them whenever they bumper bowled more than 4 pins down. Ah, I love kids.
I'm sure we did other things that are interesting, but at this point and time, I really want to go make tea and use my new jar of honey. With comb. (I'm such a sucker for honey with comb. Regular honey? Take it or leave it. But when I get to bite into a piece of comb and the honey just oozes out, filling every part of my cavernous mouth with sweet? How can that not be absolute. pleasure.) So, goodnight folks.
