Chicago, Part II

So I know my latest post was about Chicago, but seeing as I went back there after 5 days off I thought it only best to upload some more pictures of this beautiful city!

In my days off beforehand I decided to go home and surprise mum…it didn’t quite go to plan as I ended up not getting on the first flight I tried as it was completely overbooked, so I got the first flight to Europe which ended up being Milan, then connected on to Vienna, and finally running and catching a train to Klagenfurt without about 10 seconds to spare! I was more than a little tired after two nights without a bed (CRC coming home on the overnight flight from Chicago, then getting a few hours sleep in a not-so-comfy economy seat!) but it was great to be home for a few days.

We popped up to the house in the mountains to get it ready for some guests who were arriving the next day, and also had a long walk through the woods behind the house. 

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We also picked mushrooms (which are pretty much the only food I don’t like!) which grow all over the place in the woods. Luckily mum knows her stuff and we managed not to pick any poisonous ones!DSCN7893 DSCN7897

Looking pretty pleased with my find!

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 We found so many mushrooms and could easily have picked loads more if we’d brought bigger boxes with us!

I had a lovely time at home catching up with friends and family, but all too soon it was time to head back to Dubai ready for my next flight, back to the Windy City!

As August was my “second-top” bidding month, I’d bid for Chicago (one of our newest destinations, launched on the 5th of August) and been rostered 2 flights there. And I happened to be flying with the lovely Alina from the Ukraine again, which was awesome.

A group of us decided to go to the SkyDeck at the Willis Tower, which is on the 103rd floor. It’s the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, so not quite as high as the Burj Khalifa but still pretty impressive! We managed to get caught in a downpour on our way there, but luckily I’d learned from last time and brought my umbrella with me!

We got to the top of the tower just as the sun was beginning to set, so we saw the incredible view by day as well as by night.

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After admiring the spectacular view from all sides, we walked to “Lou Malnati’s”, a deep dish pizza place. We’d wanted to try the traditional deep dish pizza the last time but hadn’t been able to, so made sure it was on our to-do list this time. There was quite a wait and it was definitely busier than I’d expected for a weeknight but we sat outside with a drink until we got a table. We’d pre-ordered our pizzas as they apparently take 40-50 minutes to cook!

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It may look small but it was very very filling! Tasty, but I have to say I think I prefer normal pizza!

The next morning Alina and I went for some breakfast and then decided to do the architectural boat tour, which we hadn’t been able to do the week before due to the weather. Luckily the rain man didn’t show his face and we had beautiful sunshine all day!

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 The tour took us all along the river which runs through the city.

DSCN7991 DSCN7994 We sailed past the Willis Tower, which we’d been up the night before. It’s the one with the two pointy bits on top!

DSCN8004 DSCN8011 DSCN8018 DSCN8022DSCN8041 We sailed back through the town and out towards the lake, passing the Navy Pier which we’d visited the week before.

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The river cruise was a brilliant way to see the city and all of the amazing buildings and I’m so glad the weather was on our side this time and we managed to do it!

DSCN8046 After the boat dropped us back off at our starting point, we decided to get the “L” (short for elevated) train which runs above the city. We’d spotted a Boeing building whilst on the boat trip and wanted to see if we could find any cool souvenirs to take home!

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After a spot of shopping we walked back through the Theatre District up to our hotel, just time for a short rest before the wake-up call. 

DSCN8062 What a beautiful city, and I was lucky enough to go there twice! I’m keeping my fingers crossed that our layover will get extended to 48 hours (instead of just over 24) as it’s really not long enough! I hope to come back one day soon 🙂

 

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15 Comments

  1. November 30, 2014 / 7:00 am

    Oh never mind you totally mentioned your layover time in this post! Only 1 day!? :'( Well hopefully by the time I start flying they realize that it is a 48 worthy layover.

  2. September 13, 2014 / 10:19 pm

    Chicago is way up there on my bucket list! I really love your blog I am just working my way through some of your posts whilst cooking dinner! Can I ask where your sunglasses are from I totally love them! Are they this season? Amanda xx (http://thisluxlife.com)

    • September 14, 2014 / 5:00 pm

      The sunnies are from Gucci but I got them at least a year ago if not longer, so not sure if they’re still available! Sorry! xxx 🙂

      • September 14, 2014 / 5:22 pm

        Ah thanks for letting me know hun xxx

  3. Anonymous
    September 2, 2014 / 4:26 am

    Can you please post your roster for September…I don’t care if it sucks! Please!!!

  4. Sintija
    August 27, 2014 / 7:16 pm

    I wanted to say I love your blog, girl 🙂
    Came across it yesterday and since then been reading it whole day.
    I would love to know more about flying, how do you deal with different sleeping patterns and what do you love and hate about this job? Also, how it is to live in the Middle East for a European girl?
    Thanks x

    • August 30, 2014 / 1:50 am

      Aw thanks for reading! 🙂 Thanks for all your questions, I’ll try and answer them in a blog post soon 🙂 x

  5. Lucy
    August 27, 2014 / 3:55 pm

    Hey Rachel, great post again!
    I have a suggestion of making a post for you 🙂
    Me personally would like to know, what do you do in your free time when you don’t work. I mean what do you like doing in Dubai, which places do you often visit, which places do you like and you’d recommend to the visitors!
    It’s just my idea..
    I hope you’re doin’ well.:)
    Lucy

    • August 30, 2014 / 1:49 am

      Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll definitely take it into consideration 🙂 If my friends are all flying my days off mostly consist of lying in bed watching TV series 😀 Glad you like the blog 🙂 x

  6. Coje
    August 27, 2014 / 10:50 am

    Hey Rachel, your blog is super fun!
    Little suggestion- why dont you have a instagram badge/direct link on your profile? It would be much easier for people to find you there, than if typing your name each time 😉

    • August 30, 2014 / 1:48 am

      Because me + technology = no clue! If you tell me how then I’d definitely do it, haha! 😀

  7. Fausto
    August 25, 2014 / 8:05 pm

    When you fly, I dream, long time I can’t have holydays, 5-6 years? Tanks for your pictures

  8. charlotte
    August 25, 2014 / 2:07 pm

    Chicago is on my ‘to go to’ list! Looks so cool! That deep pan pizza looked like a marathon eat! Keep up the posting 🙂

    • August 30, 2014 / 1:47 am

      It’s an amazing city, you should definitely go if you get the chance! Can you believe we shared that pizza (between 2) and still didn’t finish it! 😀

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