Summer Holidays. Ah, Sigh.

So after being in Chicago for on and off about a year, we finally convinced the fam to make the LONG trip across the Atlantic to visit A-merica. Caitlin being the seasoned traveller has been to Chicago before, but only in winter, and my dad whilst visiting a few major cities in the States had not been to Chicago or northern California, and for mumsy, well this was her first American trip! So a lot of excitement all around. Ryan had some time off before leaving for New York and I am grateful to him for being the tour guide whilst I worked for the first week in order to take off the second. Part one is our time in Chicago and part two, probably the more exciting part, was a whirlwind tour of California. 

Week One: Chi-town

Usually when people go on holiday, they have certain things planned, tourist traps, certain restaurants, maybe shops they want to visit. In this case, that was all true although Dad had one request... golf balls! He had done his research prior and discovered that with all the specials, it was 2 for the price of 1. So within 2 days of arriving in Chicago, Ryan rented a car and drove them an hour out of Chicago in search of the perfect handicap.

Look how happy Farji is because he is going to buy golf balls! I won't mention the golf balls again but just to say that I think an extra suitcase was brought over to house the suckers!

Next was a trip up the Willis (Sears) Tower.

The views are spectacular from 103 floors up.

But the sky ledge is a little daunting. 

 

 

 Fortunately everyone conquered their fears and weren't the ones to make that first crack in the glass! 

 

Each year Chicago hosts the Taste of Chicago  which is an event that allows many of Chicago's great restaurants and foodies to have stalls all in one place. I was warned by several of my patients how crazy the taste can get in terms of volumes and crowd control, but we had a great time and it was a good way to see American staples on display.

 

Farjah's orange arm band acknowledges he is 21 (and over) and allowed to drink! 

Definitely one of the things that Caitlin has not been able to do whilst visiting in winter, is a boat trip on the river - the same one they dye green every year in honour of St Patty's. 

 

Here are mumsy and farjah rocking it out in their last minute Chicago caps for the boat ride!

What's a big city without a visit to the museum? Farji took to the museum thing a little too well, wanting to read each and every caption at every exhibit! Ha! Must be why we love farji. 

 On the train to the Museum of Science and Industry in Hyde Park, right next to Ryan's school.

 

:( A little like instant microwave popcorn, but the chick version instead. Around 30 eggs are in a large heated incubator at various stages of development. If you're there at the right time you can see them hatching. The process takes about 16 hrs I think so that is why this little guy looks so exhausted!

A mini Chicago which concludes our tour of the windy city. Now the fun really starts when I was able to join them 24/7 (ha! - although they probably preferred it when I was at work!) and we jetted off to San Francisco. Stay tuned.