First, let me say that during the week that
Vlad and I were in the windy city (not windy because of it’s Aeolian power, but for the wind
emanating out of its’ politician’s mouths), we did not meet a single surly,
sour, or cranky person. From the
personnel at the grocery markets to the Uber drivers to the neighbors living on
our son’s street, we did not encounter a single solitary *ss h***. Well, that’s not quite right. The manager at
the Olive Garden where I forgot my iPad and had it subsequently stolen, didn’t
even offer me a conciliatory coffee for my pain and suffering… but that’s
another story. We were charmed and warmed by Chicagoans' friendliness and
willingness to engage with a couple of middle-aged Canadians on a mission to
settle our boy into his apartment before his Step 3 exam and the beginning of a
three-year residency program at one of Chicago’s many, many hospitals.
The Chicagoans we met during our seven-day stay
were authentic, kind, friendly and willing to help out in any way that we
asked, be it for directions, advice on the best way to get to work, to the best
place to get a delicious and economical bite to eat. We were enveloped in a
warm hug of human kindness. Who would have known that this sprawling, diverse,
crime-ridden city would offer up the degree of solicitousness that we
encountered wherever we went? And we
went to a LOT of places…
We must have put on several hundred
kilometres getting the apartment hooked up with gas, electricity, Internet,
insurance, furniture and groceries. Every time we needed help, we were obliged
with a friendly face, a smile and reassurance that not all big, sprawling
heterogeneous cities are an unsafe place to be.
We discovered Uber, the cheapest, best way
to get to downtown, the best Mexican food to be had north of the Mexican
border, movie theatres with Lazy Boy-type easy chairs and neighborhood connectedness
the likes of which we do not experience at home. The people in Tristan’s neighborhood wanted
to know him and were quick to include him in their daily looking-out-for type
of concern. They were congratulatory,
encouraging and immediately offered the best way to…(insert just about anything
here).
Thank you Chicago, for welcoming our boy
into your hearts and into your community. Thank you for making us feel at home,
making us feel welcome and for making us instantly feel like we are a part of
your ‘hood’.
We look forward to coming back and
discover more of what you have to offer.
