Vermont at Long Last

I've finally arrived!!! After a seemingly endless bus ride aboard the "Megabus" - a double decker bus that goes frequently from Minneapolis to Chicago - I made it to the city of Chicago itself. Breakfast at some Pseudo-French place was delicious after seemingly endless hours of riding with cramped legs (the dude in front of me had his chair all the way back). I walked around to try to see some places my friend Martin (who's been to Chicago several times) suggested I see. The Sears Tower was pretty much right next to where my bus unloaded, so i got to see it, along with many of the city's over-friendly pigeons at 6:30 in the morning. I then took a subway a short distance and visited the John Hancock Observatory (although it won't be for long . . . some Englishman just bought it and will inevitably rename it) but didn't go to the 94th floor - it cost money and took more time than I wanted to spend. I visited the Holy Name Cathedral with its exquisite stained glass windows, but it was under renovation so I wasn't able to go in. After seeing most of the Chicago Tribune building, which as stones imbedded in it from all over the world, I stumbled upon a large group of people gathering at the river. I soon learned that I had showed up on the day when they died the river green. I think most of the city must have been on the banks of the river and, with copious quantities of beer flowing before 10 AM, a crew of 2 or 3 boats began to dump a red die into the river, which actually turned it a florescent green (as opposed to the dull, dirty green it already was). On my hurried way back to the Subway system (it was getting about that time that I should be making my way towards the Midway Airport) I stumbled upon some gorgeous government buildings (I think) and the new Trump Tower. I made it to the airport well ahead of time, through security, and then waited while reading/napping/people-watching. I waited longer than my 2 flights combined, for I had to make another stop in Detroit with a 2 hour layover. The Detroit Airport has a strange underground tunnel to get to the B and C gates. There are lights flashing to a bass-heavy, wild music. Amusing but bewildering to a tired traveler. All in all I had a wonderful time in Chicago and would love to go back - - although as my plane flew over Chicago in parting, I got to see an overview of the rest of the city, the part I had not (and the part most people don't) visited. It looked dirty, crowded - quite unlike the pristine buildings I had just lugged a suitcase around all day; a testament to the dirty deeds Chicago is notoriously built and thrives on. It was dark as I landed in Burlington, but I look forward to exploring tomorrow after a good night's sleep.

Love- Katie