Springtime Transatlantic Adventures
A Monday Morning Adventure around Chicago
In this Adventure
- So, 80 more Tier Points. Always demanding more, British Airways…
- To the joy of Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 with FlixBus
- British Airways Galleries South Lounge and T5B Lounge
- British Airways BA295 London Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare in World Traveller Plus
- Into the USA and the avid Hotel, Des Plaines
- The Hyatt Regency O’Hare
- Airplane Art Extra from the Hyatt Regency O’Hare
- A Simple Burger Night at Chilli’s
- Deep Dish Pizza Special at Pequods
- A Monday Morning Adventure around Chicago
- Back to O’Hare, The American Airlines Flagship Lounge
- AA90 Chicago O’Hare to London Heathrow in Main Cabin Extra
- Luggage Trolley Drifting – Rushing to the bus
- The Other Shoe Drops. Was it worth it?
Those of you who know me know that I love a good value shop – some might call them a dollar store, a pound store – but there is one to rule them all – Daiso (a Japanese value shop).
Finding them can be a challenge, with them expanding their presence worldwide (although not in Europe yet).
Thankfully, they have worked on expanding their branches in the USA – where I could only find them on the West Coast in the past – they’ve started to appear in Chicagoland, with town branches opening in Niles (next to a H Mart). I decided to Lyft over to start with… and see how the day took me in terms of a transit adventure.
Let the junk search begin.
So first up. Daiso. Yes, it might not be as special as it is in the US as it is in Japan. But it’s good enough to stack up some gifts that are a little beyond the usual “Bean” keyring, as well as some specific gifts for someone who has moved into a new home.
Angry Elephant is angry.
Pick a stuffie. Any stuffie.
Also, it’s good to go and play “spot the English phrases that make mine look professional”
The ABC’s. Basics of activities for your lifestyle
As well as things you won’t see in a Dollar store…
Disposable toilet…
Collect them all!
This is a truth.
With my Daiso fill complete, I could had bussed back to Harlem Blue Line station (by hook or by crook), or I could have have taken an Uber over to Howard Station and take a Red Line Train downtown (looking back, I could had ticked off the Yellow Line at Sokie, but meh, such is life).
An Uber arrived at Daiso to take me to Howard. It was a 20-minute ride (and yes, I could have done the same ride to Downtown Chicago… but this is more fun).
Sokie L Train Shop
I’ve got some memories of Howard Station, as this was my first interaction with the Chicago L system many moons ago.
This escalator doesn’t look like it’s changed..
For those keeping track, I’ve been visiting Chicago since 2007. And I just love discovering different parts of the city.
Going into it, it seemed that some upgrade work had been done to the station, but there wasn’t any time to wait, as a Red line service was about to depart.
With the Chicago L Red line being the busiest, there was plenty of upgrade work going on this northern branch of it. Whilst budget cuts are ever present, seeing work done to improve the passenger journey is an important thing, if we are to ever get people out of cars and use public transport.
As the Red and Brown Lines met, I thought of switching to the Brown line for a more scenic view of Chicago (other than the State Street subway). Dipping out of the train, there was more than a 10-minute wait. I dipped back onto the Red Line Train.
While I had time, there was no point in wasting time, as it was my last day in the city during this trip.
I decided to stick with one of my original plans – head to Grand and State (Red Line Station) and hit the Jewel Osco there.
Yes, I am at the age where supermarket tourism is one of my interests.
Let’s play eggwatch. More parts coming!
I have expanded into a brand, it seems.
As well as Trader Joe’s. Momma needs her “Everything but the Bagel” seasoning to keep me sane for a few months.
Eggwatch continues
Hmm. Butter and Marmite…. maybe. Show me the person who puts mascarpone and lemon curd on theirs… (also at $2.99??? I’m used to 45p/0.60cents a pack for the cheap ones, 79p/$1.09 for the branded ones).
Exiting Trader Joe’s, it was time to head up to North Michigan Avenue and cross the Chicago River.
The Intercontinental. If prices drop, I might start staying there again.
Butterflies everywhere
Which was still a little green, as Chicago had their St Patrick’s Day event earlier.
But before crossing the river, there’s a sign. Whilst it’s aimed at cancer, in these times, it can cover many different things.
Crossing the Chicago River, I continued my way down to my target last night – Millennium Park. It’s kind of a tradition to head there after seeing my friends.
Over the past few trips, there have been security checkpoints in place. Those have thankfully gone, allowing you to acces the park complex without someone poking in your bags.
It’s the small things some days. It’s also the perfect point to sit and enjoy the world, whilst enjoying a blue drink of some sort.
Blue is a colour. It has electrolytes… and I’m going to need them in the next few hours.
I pottered around the city, doing bits and bobs… and to be honest, getting some last-minute gifts and things for myself.
Eggs are great… but not as gifts.
L from Target
Time was slowly ticking down. It was time to head for the Blue Line and back to Rosemont to be reunited with my luggage and start making tracks east.
If you want to get a seat on the Blue Line from The Loop to the Airport, don’t go to the Clark and Lake Blue Line station. Walk down to the Washington Blue Line station instead. It’s a little quieter, and if you’re going to O’Hare or Rosemont, you should get space in the first two carriages of the train.
It packs out at Clark and Lake without fail, whilst emptying after Logan Square.
Interior of the “new” 9000 series cars
Reading for departure to O’Hare
Arriving at Rosemont, it was time to walk back to the Hyatt. There was final packing to be done, as well as the time to go home.
Next:
Back to O’Hare Terminal 3 and the American Airlines Flagship Lounge.
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