Whirlwindy Tour of the Windy City

Sisi and I headed to Chi-town on the train last weekend, for a couple days of Girl Time. 

First we fortified ourselves with a heart breakfast at Lou Mitchells.  "Best breakfast ever " said Sisi.

 

Then we headed to the Art Institute where Sisi took 157 photos of the miniatures in the Miniature Room.  You will not be required to look at all 157, so do not run away just yet.

 

We checked into our room on the 29th floor of the Swissotel (there is supposed to be a pointy hat-shaped accent mark over the O ) where from the end of the hall we could see Navy Pier.  No sailors, though.

 

 

We had the un-upgraded Hotwire Room Plan, so the view from our room was not quite so expensive.

 

After a rest and some dinner we headed to Orchestra Hall for a free event, Riccardo Muti rehearsing with the Civic Orchestra.  That was a fabulously inspiring music rehearsal of some of the best young musicians in Chicago for my little viola player.  They played several suites from Romeo and Juliet, by Prokofiev.   In case you are wondering, it was not all work and no play.   Muti is quite the comedian as well.  And he told a long touching story about Prokofiev who died on the same day as Stalin, which of course caused his own funeral to be delayed for days and more or less ignored in Russia.  But, as Muti said, "which one are we celebrating still today?  Not Stalin."

 

As Sisi says, Lets take a Selfie!

Monday we headed to the Natural History Museum for the Biomechanics exhibit, but first we stopped by the Culture Center to look at the beautiful architecture and to listen to some harp-and-flute music in the rotunda.

 

and while we were there...

 

 

After more music and the biomechanics exhibit, we had to get our bags and head back to the train.  While I was in Chicago I realized I might become famous, just because of my first name - lookie here!

 

 

 

Quick trip home with time for just one more...

 

 

We arrived home safe and sound.  J-dude and The Player were waiting for us at the train station.  J-dude missed his sister so much that he said, "Those were the two longest days of my life.  It felt like you were gone a month."

 

I guess it's tough not having anyone to bother for 48 hours when you're 12. 

 

p.s.  It's opening day and The Cubs are in First Place.  (yes, their game is not over yet.)