I have just returned from a harrowing trip to Chicago. I have seen all that I want to see of that town for a lifetime.
We started off from Lansing at 4pm on Thurs. Feb. 9th. It was a four hour drive, however; our directions had us getting off at exit 16 and to toll road 90 and we weren't even out of Michigan. Exit 16 was actually just before Gary, Indiana. Once we got that straightened out, we hit the next snag. Our directions said take Exit 53 to Lake Shore Drive/22nd Street. Simple, right? WRONG!
The exits weren't labled. So, when we saw a sign that said to Lake Shore Drive, we took that exit. Oops! We were now smack dab in the middle of South Chicago. Not the place anyone wants to be. Especially at night with no map. The smart thing to do is call the hotel and ask for directions. WRONG!
Hotel manager is from the Philipines and does not have a map. He just knows we have to get out of that part of town. His suggestion, "Get out of your car at a gas station and ask for directions."
Frustrated I hang up the cell phone and relate said message to my daughter. She calls back and asks for someone who speaks English and knows their way around Chicago. No such person exists at this hotel. So, we turn the car around and head back the way we came. Our logic is that if we got off the freeway we should be able to get back on. WRONG!
We could get back on only if we wanted to leave Chicago. Getting brave, my daughter leaves us in a locked car and goes into a White Castle. First thing everyone stares at her, second a couple of panhandlers try to get quarters from her. A kindly gentleman, seeing the dilemma, gives her directions. We are able to find Lake Shore Drive. Street signs in Chicago are so poorly placed that we miss a road that would have taken us to the hotel and end up a Navy Pier. Gee, we don't need to be there until morning. So, we backtrack and find the hotel. Safe and sound. WRONG!
The only parking is valet parking...$22/night. I had to be sure that they would be open again at 6 am. They were. So, we unloaded the kids, locked the car, dropped the keys off at the desk and took the smelly elevator to the 9th floor. Our room is at the far end of the hallway. We get down there only to be blasted by the heat when I opened the door. So, after trying to turn the heat down, we call and have maintenanace sent up. We can get cool air, but the room temperature is set at 67 degrees. Who in his right mind sleeps at 67 degrees unless it is summer?
Then there is the problem of room. There is enough room barely to get from one bed to the other. Two double beds are shoved in this room. The wardrobe with the TV in it is less than a foot from the end of either bed. How they ever got a desk in there is beyond me. We get everyone into pj's and crawl into bed. By this time it is just about 10:30pm. Suddenly the people in the other room try to come through the adjoining door. My daughter says something and they stop. She promptly props the desk chair under the door knob. Security. NOT!
We get everyone up and all of our things packed. Then we call for the car and head down to the lobby. The car is arriving as we get there. Jamie and I load the car, then put the kids in. Once loaded we make the short uneventful drive to Navy Pier. We were able to find the right parking place, but had to ask how to get inside. Once inside we had hoped to get breakfast at the McDonald's. Like all of the restaurants in the building, none opened before 8 am at which time Megan had to be with her team warming up. Can you say FRUSTRATION?!
Once inside the fesival hall where the gymnastics events would take place, we found an open concession stand with donuts, muffins, fruit, and fruit juice. Not the best breakfast, but better than nothing. We put an orange and a bottle of water into Megan's bag for after the meet. Meg joined her team and we found places on the bleachers with other parents representing Twistars USA.
The meet was outstanding. The level 5 girls ages 7 to 9 did a good job. The Twistars team stepped up and took home a host of medals. Of our 23 girls only one did not get a medal. Megan got her first 9.05 on the vault. She did not realize during the medal ceremony that she had placed 1st. There were a total of 38 girls in her level competing. She scored an 8.125 on floor for a medal, an 8.15 on beam, and a 7.9 on uneven bars. She also got a medal for her all around score.
We did get lunch at McDonald's as soon as the medal ceremony was over. Don't ask about the drive home. Just suffice it to say we were back in Lansing safe and sound by 8pm on Friday. I managed to make it back to my home by 2pm on Saturday. I'm sure the ride home would make another story. What do you think?
