2022 // Chicago on Film
Chicago, IL
September & October 2022
I always forget how much I love Chicago until I get there. As polarizing of a city as it is, there is something special about the frigid cold, world-class food, and the people who dwell there that I find endearing. Since the moment Katie described the Windy City to me - and how grand it was - during the summer of 2015 when we lived together, I wound up traveling there later that summer. Thus began my love affair with Chi which is easy when you have a great tour guide like Katie.
Our cousin Mike was getting married (!!) and I fully intended on taking advantage of the weekend by traveling there a few days beforehand to soak up as much time in the city as could. Gina, never having been, would be fully immersed (forced) in Katie/Greta chaos to incite a whirlwind tour of Chicago.
Katie made us a whole goddamn itinerary which was not necessary at all but greatly appreciated. She sent it with the caveat of “follow everything or do nothing, this was WAY too much fun for me to make”. As you might have gleaned, Katie LOVES Chicago. Born and raised there, how could you not? I mean, when you “got a guy” who turns the river green or knows where to get a pig for a backyard roast, hell I’d love it too.
Touring around, we zigzagged across the city, ensuring Gina got a little taste of everything. We hit the Art Institute of Chicago, the hip bars in the West Loop, WFH at hip coffee shops like Heritage, road bikes along the lake, and strolled through Lincoln Park. As we wandered, we’d run into Katie’s cousin or a former coworker of hers. Katie runs the city! Exploring was met with snacking in between locations, and meals ended in wine and laughter as the restaurant began to close the kitchen.
The wedding day came in a frenzy. With our parents now in town, we readied ourselves with a full day of festivities with brunch at Kasama. Before true family chaos descended on me, I squeezed in a quick coffee catch-up with Twan. Funny enough, this was probably the first time we had actually hung out since meeting in Seattle YEARS ago. Our friendship is so special to me since we haven't spent much time together, but I know we have each other’s backs. If you are in the Chicago area, check out his curated vintage finds at Casa Bazaar.
Back at the hotel, dad ate a cannoli from Eataly amongst the flurry of activity of us getting ready for the wedding. It was a lovely ceremony and so special for all of us cousins to be in one place together. Nearly all of our family and extended family were in attendance. We caught up with each other and danced the night away! Congrats Clare and Mike!
Following a morning goodbye to Rose and Jeff, Gina and me, nomadic again, went back to Katie and Steve’s place before venturing out to meet Gina’s old coworker Josh for lunch then in the afternoon I met Dina for a walk in the north neighborhoods. The rest of the evening was reserved for recovery as Katie and Steve also attended a wedding the previous night. Big wedding weekend in October! The four of us debriefed our weddings and relayed all of the Chicago things we had done that week as Katie and Steve made us a full lamb dinner (because they’re real adults). Mine and Gina’s last day in Chicago kicked off with breakfast and coffee at Coffee Lab and a quick jaunt around the neighborhood before heading off to the airport to catch a flight to New York.
I don’t really feel like it’s apparent why I love Chicago and I’m not sure how I can fully articulate it. This was my third time traveling here, but I like to think I have a good grasp on the layout and neighborhoods, yet manage to find somewhere new. There’s a mix of city and suburb that flow into one another to mingle architecture and lifestyles. The streets scream Wilco which is always a plus. And don’t even get me started on the museum scene here - I love it.
Chicago is on the short list of cities I would consider if I were to move. It’s still a major city but feels manageable in comparison to somewhere like NYC. Though I do worry about how flat it is…it did make biking much easier than in Seattle. Maybe I took note of Chicagoans dining out, heading to the bar, going to the game, or just doing things. Maybe that’s what I’m craving.
A key component would be community and I’m lucky to have old and new friends in the city, many of whom I was able to see on this trip. Katie is always advocating for me to move there and she shows me time and time again why. But Katie is also one of those special people that I’m lucky to have in my life. She’s the type of person who would welcome me if I just showed up on her stoop one day with absolutely no judgment. When she was moving out that summer of 2015, she remarked to me “you know you’re stuck with me for life now, right?” to which I laughed off, but am forever grateful that has held true. Katie is one of my biggest supporters, a big sister icon to me. I’m ecstatic to bear witness to this next phase of life for her.
As for living in Chicago, who knows, it’s on my radar. I’m always collecting opinions, send them my way. This is all suffice to say, Chicago is a pretty city and remains one of my favorites.
