I recently went to Chicago for a few days and I had the best time! I was fortunate enough to stay at one of the nicest hotels in the country. Literally. Look it up. It is called The Peninsula as you can see from the picture. Let me just tell you, my lousy attempt to capture the extravagance of this hotel with my 5GB cell phone camera just does not do it any justice. It is unbelievable. Seriously... unbelievable. You can see a little, but let your imagination go crazy because that is probably closer to how it is than what my pictures show.
I mean, come on. Do you see this bathroom? You could live in it. Surround sound radio and a
television. Lighting and temperature controls in every room (yes, there were rooms) and a huge
television with an iPod dock and all the fixins.
I came in from a meeting and this is what my luggage looked like. They folded my clothes and
organized all my stuff! Then, the next morning I called to get some coffee and this is what showed
up in the guy's arms with my paper of choice. Uh huh. Fancy shmancy... and I like it!
This was the view from my room as I looked out a window which covered one
ENTIRE side of my room. Kinda scary, but totally amazing.
This was the view from our meeting location a few blocks from the hotel.
Equally as impressive if I do say so myself.
The first night we went to the Sears Tower restaurant and lounge on the 95th floor.
This was the view from our table.
Uh huh, I know...
And, THIS was the view from the women's restroom.
There were women of every age and nationality lined up to take pictures with their
friends (and some by themselves) in front of this "royal flush" of a view.
Okay, bad joke...
Oh my heavens, the tulips. Everywhere I looked were the most B-E-A-utiful tulips I have ever seen! Literally! In full bloom, as if frozen in time. Every color in the rainbow. Ashley, a colleague and friend I was with on the trip, kept losing me because I would stop to take pictures (like the awkward and yet completely amazing tourist that I insist on being). She would turn around about a block and a half away and just laugh at me... and then proceed to watch me do the ridiculous half way jog in flip flops with my purse in tote to catch back up. You know the one where you swing your arms faster than you need to in order to look like you are trying harder than you are. This happened about... well, how many pictures do you see??? Exactly...
Pictures do NOT do these flowers justice. They truly were beautiful.
We had a dinner one night at Gibson's Steakhouse. These were the two types of pies that came out for dessert. Delicious does not describe this restaurant. Steak, twice stuffed potatoes, veggies, desserts, and, of course, vino... a must try location if you are in the area.
These dueling pianos and full backup band were the best ever. I requested "Walking In Memphis" and they played it for me... only after making fun of the Southern girl who requested a song about Memphis.
Still totally worth it.
The second picture is of this girl who ask to sing with the band. She got up there and sang a rendition of "New York" that gave Alicia Keys a run for her money. The entire bar was like.. get it white girl!
Oh pizza, my pizza. How do I put into words something that is so angelic on the eyes, so aromatic to the smell, and so mouth wateringly delicious to the taste? One word... Uno's. Founder of the one, the only, Chicago pizza. Holy mess. This pizza is so good, one smell made me feel like I had eaten it before I had even taken a bite. All the world's problems could be solved by just one single slice of this "personal pan pizza", if by personal pan they mean can easily feed three people, maybe four if you get a cup of the minestrone.
By the way, we did. Magically delicious as well.
To sum up, it was a great trip. I love Chicago. It never disappoints.
Until we meet again...
