I went to my first Taste of Chicago today with A*, La Petite Tricoteuse and her Captain, and their friend from Michigan. My back was still killing me and I had run out of ibuprofen (of course, because I really needed it, it went into hiding). I thought, No problem. There will be plenty of drugstores on the walk from the train station to Grant Park. No, my little friends, this is alas not true. We passed by a CVS Pharmacy and a Walgreens, both closed on Sundays. Excuse me? In downtown Chicago? It just doesn’t seem right. Hallelujah choirs sung out when we passed by a handy mart type place that not only was open but fully stocked with Motrin. I immediately took some.
Now with drugs in hand, we made our way to Grant Park to meet up with the others and gorge on yummy treats. I had a Chicago-style hot dog, corn on the cob, potato pancakes with applesauce, jerk chicken with rice and beans, and for dessert, ice cream in a waffle cone. I had a bite of this cucumber salad with hummus and pita chips that I was bummed that I hadn’t any room (or tickets) left to enjoy. It was OK though, as I felt content and triumphant over the crowds and my ever-aching back.
After we’d had quite enough with crowds, sun and sweat, we walked around the corner to Bennigans for a drink (it is far too expensive for watered down alcohol at the taste). I had a hurricane that was pretty good (when I finally got it) and some mashed potatoes that seemed to just settle everything else. I am a sucker for mashed potatoes and these were awesome with a little cheese and butter. Yum!
I needed a portable knitting project for the trip, and after quickly realizing that the scarf was too big for my bag and pattern intensive, Clessidra would be screwed within two rounds and everything else wasn’t portable, I had to cast on a new project. (Doh! My plan I already foiled.) I found the 9 to 5 socks appealing and chose this lovely lavender baby wool for the occasion. It’s whipping up pretty fast and I only really worked on it on the train, while we sat down in the park and on the ride home.
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