Showing posts with label Chicago. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago. Show all posts

Sunday, August 17, 2008

SUMMER SUMMARY

This summer was set up to be one of the most memorable summers I have ever experienced. It unfolded that way, in positive and negative. To get the negative out of the way I must mention that my second trip to Wrigley and first since I was ten didn't happen because of the train mix up as previously recorded. The Ben Folds concert didn't happen because it rained. Bummer.
There was much more positive action, however. I got to spend 27 days in Africa. It was an incredible experience. I got to learn a new culture and create friendships that otherwise would not have happened. Not long after Zambia, I attended church camp with Sycamore View. This was a wonderful experience and a great venue to create and deepen some relationships with people at church. I did have to go to school for a bit, but the class was one of my favorite classes I have had in grad school, so even school was a pleasure. Erin and I celebrated 3 years of marriage in July, but not in Chicago like we were planning.
My last summer as a student (probably) was a good one.

Saturday, August 02, 2008

PLANES, TRAINS, AND CHICAGO

The city of Chicago has given us some grief in the way of travel this summer. First, Erin had to be held over night in Chicago on her trip to Zambia (while I anxiously awaited her arrival). First it was a weight issue with the plane, then maintenance, finally they blamed it on weather, I think.
That was not the only issue we had with the Chicago airport. On our way home there were two flights back to Memphis. Part of our group on each one. The first flight was canceled. Luckily we were not on that flight, even though we tried to switch to it because it was earlier. The flight we were on was delayed several hours.
The newest and probably the worst travel experience with Chicago involved missing our train. Yes we missed our train to Chicago. As many people know Erin and I planned a trip to Chicago for our anniversary. We were going just for the day to mainly catch a Cubs game. The train is overnight, so it was going to be an overnight trip to Chicago, spend the day, overnight trip back. It didn't happen, though. Our itinerary said 10:40. The train left at 9:55. A bus that was taking passengers to a point that I was told to arrive 15 minutes early for left the station at 9:15.
We tried to catch the train at the next stop, but that didn't work out. So we missed the train ride, and the game. Quite disappointing. I guess it will make a good story to laugh about later. Much later.