The Windy City
The Windy City
“Excuse me, how do we get to the Cambria Hotel on Randolph Street?”
We’re underground, in the bowels of the Chicago's Union Station. People are scurrying purposefully around us in all directions, like mice in a maze. They know where they’re going. We don’t, so I’m asking the nearest train employee.
His directions include turning at the Dunkin' Donuts shop upstairs. Smiling, he adds, “I’ll take a black coffee and a Danish,” then turns to his partner and asks, “What do you want?” Chuckling, we thank him.
When we make it outside, we’re on the river! It’s already dark, and the city lights are electrifying. Chicago stands there in all her glory and I can’t get enough. “Oh, this is beautiful! Oh, look at those holiday star lights, they’re magnificent! Dane, look at the reflection on the water!”
There are people everywhere. Horns honking, music coming from passing cars, scooters, bikes, skateboards, and lots of black jackets, black shoes, and black backpacks. We stand on the Riverwalk, taking it all in, holding our travel bags, trying to figure out which direction to turn.
I spot a police officer standing alone against the river’s rail. “Hi, your city is amazing,” I gush, and then ask for directions. When he points to where we can catch a cab, I interrupt: “No, we’d like to walk.” Dane sighs, but he’s game. He’s concerned about time. We have a dinner reservation at 6:30 and it’s already 5:00. We’re both running high on adrenaline as we’re here to attend the 50th anniversary concert of Patti Smith's album Horses. The tickets and hotel were a wedding gift from our friends Tim and Lisa.
While the officer is deciding how to direct us to our hotel, I spy a boat that looks like a mini cruise ship in the river. He explains that the boat gives an architectural tour of the city, and remarks on how chilly it must be for the passengers on the upper deck. I make a mental note for a future trip.
One of our bags is a bit heavy (three books inside!), and although it’s not his, Dane admirably trades with me as we walk, swapping it with the smaller bag of food for the train trip.
The walk is lovely and surprisingly warm. We’re lulled into a rhythm, taking in the surrounding city life. Even the noise of the Monday evening traffic seems peaceful.
A sign outside our hotel announces that check-in is on the ninth floor. Yep, we’re in the big city! A hotel employee greets us outside, and when I explain I have claustrophobia and don’t use elevators, he whisks us to a secret door, unlocks it, and assures us he’ll be there all night if we need him again.
We climb the nine flights of stairs and are checking in when the phone rings. The receptionist says “Yes” into the phone and hangs up. I ask, “Was that the man downstairs who helped us?”
“Yes, he wanted to make sure you made it up the floors.”
Dane and I are impressed. From the man working inside the train station, to the officer near the bridge, and now both the hotel employees, it’s been smooth sailing and all kindness. Chicago is amazing, and we’re staying at an awesome hotel.
The theater is furnished in gold, and the seats are red velvet. Two helpful ushers point the way for us. Up on the balcony level another gal takes our tickets (box seats!), double-checks them, and tells us the concert will be two hours and fifteen minutes, with no intermissions.
As we sit down in our cushy chairs and watch the theater fill with people, I’m gobsmacked by the elegance of the Chicago Theatre. We couldn’t have asked for better seats or a better venue in which to watch Patti perform. And perform she does!
During Patti’s signature closing anthem, “People Have the Power,” written with her late husband, Fred “Sonic” Smith, the sold-out crowd rise to their feet. The clapping vibrates through the theater as people sway back and forth and join enthusiastically in the chorus, some holding up their phones with the flashlights on, like concertgoers used to hold up lighters years ago. The inspiring lyrics, reminding people to come together to promote change, to vote, and to use their voices, ring loud and clear. Earlier in the show Patti saluted both Illinois governor JB Pritzker and Chicago’s mayor, Brandon Johnson, for recently using their voices.
As we walk back to the hotel, the peace and cleanliness of the city, the kindness of the people we’ve encountered, and Patti’s words stay with us.
Chicago may be windy, but it’s an amazing and friendly city, hardly a “war zone.” We’ll be back.
