On my way back to Anchorage from New Orleans, I had a layover in Chicago...and decided to extend the layover throughout the weekend so I could spend time with one of my best friends from college.
Sarah Jane and I met our sophomore year of college; my first year at UNI. We were fortunate enough to live on the same floor in Hagemann Hall with a great group of girls who have continued to stay friends. Sarah moved to Chicago after completing law school last spring and I've been excited to visit her ever since my travel was planned for the Promising Practices conference almost three months ago.
On Thursday when I arrived in Chicago, Sarah had to work through the afternoon, so I took the train and then walked to Letizia's Fiore Ristorante and Cafe, a coffee shop by day and vino bar by night, near Sarah's apartment in Logan Square and enjoyed a latte while catching up on work.
On Thursday when I arrived in Chicago, Sarah had to work through the afternoon, so I took the train and then walked to Letizia's Fiore Ristorante and Cafe, a coffee shop by day and vino bar by night, near Sarah's apartment in Logan Square and enjoyed a latte while catching up on work.
After Sarah picked me up from Letizia's, we headed to her apartment, caught up on our lives and walked around Logan Square. We then ate dinner at Gosu, a Korean/Japanese restaurant just below Sarah's apartment. It was a great evening.
On Friday morning I watched Sarah defend a client in court and then the two of us spent the afternoon navigating downtown Chicago. We did some shopping and headed to Trader Joe's to stock up on goods for the weekend and for me to take back to Anchorage.
Friday night I was surprised by the arrival of Kala McCauley, another great friend from college, who flew from Kansas City to spend the weekend with the two of us. Sarah and I picked Kala up at the airport and then went to Logan Bar and Grill for a beer and some late night appetizers. The three of us talked like there had been no time spent away from each other...a quality I enjoy in good friends.
The rest of the weekend was spent enjoying enjoying each others company while walking and "training" around the city that Sarah calls home...
Kala and I helped Sarah "shop" for a new apartment. She will begin renting the third floor of the house above in June. It was so fun helping her decide where to live.
We ate lunch at 90 Miles Cuban Cafe, a restaurant a block away from Sarah's new apartment.
Little did we know that it had been featured on the Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
Train tracks with part of the Chicago skyline in the background...
On Saturday night we met up with some friends of Sarah's and went out to dinner and dancing downtown.
Then, on Sunday morning, we went to brunch at Dunlays on the Square, a yummy eatery in Logan Square.
We did a little bit of window shopping and then went back to Sarah's place. I packed up and said farewell to Sarah and Kala and headed for the airport.
It was wonderful catching up with Sarah and Kala, but I was very ready to get back home to Anchorage after a long nine days away from home.
Cheers,
Karen