Chicago September 2005
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Our recent trip to Chicago for Charles�s & Michelle�s wedding: (apologies that it is so long but enjoy!)
Andrew and I flew on Saturday morning, 3 September 2005. We had spent Friday night in London having drinks with Gunter as it was his birthday the week before. We only got to bed at 2:30am and were up at 5:30am to go to the airport. To say we were tired is an understatement! Our flight went via Paris but it was such a mission to get to our connecting flight and to go through all the American security checks that we did not get to do any wondering around the airport. We had our bags checked so many times and went through so many detectors that we were slowly loosing our sense of humour. But we finally got onto our plane.
The lovely Air France got our seats wrong. Of course we were not impressed but with no time to spare there was nothing we could do. And nobody would swap with us on the plane as we really had yuck seats. Andrew sat behind me and we both were right in the middle of the plane. So of course, like the children we are, I sat up on my seat and turned around and chatted a lot. Andrew kept on sticking his fingers through my seat and tickling me, I would respond by turning around and changing his TV volume. Annoying passengers or what? See, that�s what happens when we don�t get what we want!!! The flight must have been the most bumpy and turbulent flight we have ever been on. The drinks had to be taken off our tables for a while. But we landed in America safely which was the main thing.
It took us 2 hours to get through customs, after standing in a really long queue and then going through Agriculture-Customs as I had to hand in my orange I forgot to eat. Foot-and-mouth and all! Andrew�s folks were landing an hour later so we decided to wait for them so Charles, who met us at the airport, took us to the MacDonald�s to do the world-standard-test. Yes, I must admit, they do taste better there I have to say! So with my lovely big junk food burger in my one hand, I kissed and welcomed Andrew�s folks, Audrey and Peter. Because of the time difference, Chicago is 6 hours behind us, we arrived early afternoon. Andrew and I stayed at Charles and Michelle�s new apartment until the Wednesday. Everyone else stayed at a hotel in downtown Chicago. There apartment is really cool. It has that warehouse feel with wooden floors, high ceilings and exposed pipes. Big glass windows and open plan too! I loved it, especially the exposed brick walls.
I ended up falling asleep early evening so I left Andrew, Charles and Michelle to catch up on life and how the wedding plans were going. I was getting the feeling Andrew and I would have a lot of helping out to do! On Sunday, Charles had organised lunch at Michelle�s folks place. A chance for all the family too meet, as all the Aunt�s were down/up/across from SA. Charles had hired a 6 seat, at a squeeze 8 seat, people carrier/mini bus so he collected the family from the hotel while Andrew and I went with Michelle. Her folks live out in the suburbs and it is about a 45min-1 hour drive! Michelle�s folks are Polish and boy do they know how to cook. There was loads and loads of food. I weighed myself before and after our trip and I actually put on weight. Can�t figure it out whether it�s an American thing or Polish thing � the loads of food! You just don�t stop eating. So lunch was a whole day affair of course. I found myself entertaining the Aunt�s most of the time as everyone else was flapping around doing stuff and we sat in the conservatory discussing how hot the weather was!!! They were a good laugh though.
Early evening we drove to the city and down to the �Pier�on Lake Michigan. Every summer they have fireworks on the weekend so we went to watch them. We found a low wall and all sat watching, they lasted about 20 minutes really cool. We also tried the weirdest ice-cream. It�s called �Dots�. It looked like a bowl of little polystyrene balls, but it is actually ice-cream. The Aunt�s thought I was hilarious when I collected all there empty bowls and spoons to go and throw in the bin once they were all finished. They had a dig at me about motherly instincts!!!
Monday Ian and Maxine arrived in the afternoon. They were also going to be staying at the apartment until Wednesday. So it was the 6 of us all having fun in the apartment! Monday morning Michelle and I went to have her make-up trial for the wedding. I got to play soon-to-be sister-in-law judging the make-up and aaahing at what a beautiful porcelain doll she looked - lovely! With Michelle everything looks good!!! It was really interesting to see a professional do make-up again. Afterwards we were feeling a bit naughty so we headed off to Michigan Avenue for some retail therapy. It was such fun and we both got a few things after giving our opinions in the changing rooms. Real girly/Pretty Woman/Julia Roberts stuff! As per usual, timing worked out well, and as my wallet started to lack in the monetary department the boys called to say that they had picked up Ian and Max and should we meet up for lunch.
So off we went� What a clever idea is this�on the mezzanine level of this department store, they have this food court. You collect like a credit card thing then get taken to a table. You then head-off to one of the many little counters/mini kitchens and order what ever you want. They have everything from Mexican, Thai, Rotisserie chicken, stuffed baked potatoes, roast, Italian, you name it they had it. At the end of your meal you go to the counter and hand over your card they swipe it and you pay for everything you ate. Brilliant, this way everyone gets to eat what they want. Afterwards Charles had to do something for his dad so us girls went back to show Maxine how to shop in Chicago, like any girl needs to be shown! And the boys headed in the other direction! In the afternoon, the four of us, and Michelle rented a bike-car thing which was rather strange to ride. Charles had some stuff to do so we headed off without him. It was really cool to ride along the lakefront in the sunset. Of course Andrew and Ian did most of the riding and us girls simply watched the beautiful people go by.
Tuesday we woke up and Andrew and Ian made us yummy scrambled eggs and maple flavoured bacon for breakfast. Yip you get just about anything in America! It was good fun to sit around the table in the morning and joke around with friends! It was a bit domesticated with Maxine, Michelle and I doing some washing. They have this awesome industrial washer and dryer in there utility room. You can do a huge load of washing at a time! Ian, Maxine, Andrew and I decided to leave Charles and Michelle to sort out wedding plans for the day so we planned to hit the sights. We walked down to the Aquarium and met Peter and Andrew�s Uncle Dennis. The aquarium was really great. For a group of people who have seen most of the fish in there natural environment, we were all fascinated. The shark tank and the Beluga whales were the best.
Afterwards Ian, Max, Andrew and I caught a bus to Millennium Park. It�s this park with a giant mirror bean. In the photo. It is absolutely amazing. They also have an exhibition of photos from all around Chicago. Really cool. We caught a bus up the main road and then had to cut down a side street to get to the park. The bus driver called us when we had to get off. Down the side street we found a realy yummy looking sandwich shop and stopped in and got take-aways. Then we headed for the park, and with our good luck, a table left as we found a spot on the lawn. So we got all comfy with our lunch and our table in the sun in the park and we watched Chicago go by for an hour feeling like office workers on our lunch break eating the most awesome baguettes!
In the evening, Audrey, Peter, Charles, Michelle, Andrew and I all rented bicycles. There were 2 tandems and 2 single bikes. What fun it was to ride along the lakefront again. We actually rode for about 2 hours. Of course Andrew and Charles took the fancy tandem after a while to see exactly how fast it could go. The muscles would regret that later! Some nice picturess were taken, pity Britt was not around to join in with us.
We got back to the apartment before Michelle and Charles, so Max and I sent the boys out to get some dinner and got them to cook us yummy spaghetti bolognaise for dinner. I�d say we have our men well trained!!! Although Max and I did do the cleaning up�.with the help of the dishwasher!
On Wednesday Michelle had offered to take Audrey and her sisters out shopping near her mom�s house as she had to do a few wedding planning things out there. So off the 2 of us went with what sounded like a bunch of gaggling turkeys laughing and jocking non-stop in the back. Boy did they make us laugh. We first went to pick up Michelle�s mom who promptly invited us in for tea and cake first. And so the food began�We had coffee and pastries and then headed for the craft stores (Really big haberdashery, fabric, scrap book stores). So after 2 craft shops we headed home for�lunch! Michelle asked if I would mind coming with her and keeping her company as her mom was going to entertain the Aunt�s. No objections from my side. So we grabbed saarmies and water-to-go and out we headed. First to the bank to get the zillion checks we needed to drop off and then off to the people they were owed to. Everything was so far apart I thought we were going to be in the next State pretty soon!
First we headed for the dress-maker where I tried not to peek, but then seeing Michelle�s big smile, I had a look at her wedding dress. It was amazing. I went through all the dresses in the shop and just wanted to get married again! And so my ex-bride assisting next bride began, oogling and gushing at her awesome dress! Although, I think it began with the make-up. Anyway, it was all awesome fun helping out! The difficulty came with putting the dress in the car without creasing it and then finding somewhere at home to hang it. Afterwards we headed off to pay the Reception Venue. We ended up having to choose sashes for the chair covers too as it had been forgotten about.
The Americans do weddings like nothing in SA. I saw a table with about 20 glasses on, showing you the different ways you could have your napkins put in the glass!!! There was no function going on in the room they were to use while we were there so Michelle took me through to have a look. It was stunning. I had to show her how I got goose-bumps and we ended up rolling in laughter! On our way home we passed the ladies heading out so we ended up chilling at the house and watering the garden for quite a few hours. We were starting to get rather frantic calls from our other halves asking where we were. They finally got back and we headed for home. Actually we dropped them at the hotel and then parked around the corner and ran (got some odd looks in the process!) to the Hancock Tower to meet Andrew, Charles, Ian and Maxine for drinks.
They had gone there earlier for dinner which we could not make. Everyone was dressed up while we were still in our run-around shopping skirts and t-shirts! We even got asked for ID at the door! But we made it with enough time to have a cocktail. Andrew, Ian and Maxine had checked into our hotel earlier in the day so it was a quick walk for us to get home while Charles and Michelle drove home to have there apartment to themselves for the first time in a while. Our room was really cool. We had 2 double beds in it so it was quite large, it was the only one they had for us! Thursday, Audrey was going to spend the morning cooking bobotie at Charles�s flat for the wedding rehearsal dinner on Friday at Michelle�s folks place. Charles and Peter were to fetch Britt from the airport and Michelle was going to have her nails done with one of her bridesmaids.
So off Andrew and I headed on the train to Charles where we were greeted by a rather dusty flat and a pile of snacks and wine. Charles had decided to go ahead with having everyone around for drinks in the evening even though we insisted he take Michelle out for a quiet romantic dinner! Charles was insistent on showing everyone his new apartment, rather thoughtful but rushed! So Andrew went with the vacuum cleaner. I washed and ironed there 3 loads of washing so that they had clothes to take on holiday! Andrew actually put the washing on most of the time as I couldn�t work the fancy machine. The balcony was swept, dead plants pulled out, sliding doors washed. Then came the snacks. I tried for a while in between ironing loads but then had to put in a frantic call to Maxine to get her over, as in the heat I was wilting fast under pressure. So in she came to save the day and with me clearing boards for her and making space in the fridge. She waved her magic hands over the food and came up with some fantastic snacks.
By the way, Michelle arrived home at around 1pm and had a little snack with us and attacked her dead tomato tree! May it rest in peace, poor thing!
Britt arrived soon after, tried on her bridesmaid dress and then they headed off to the dressmaker to get it altered. I whispered in Britt�s ear to take Michelle out for a while and have some fun as the nerves were starting to show, she promptly took her shoe shopping after the dressmaker! But with me being re-named Flossy-the-Cleaner, and the boys being locked in the room finishing off speeches, music and booking hotels and cars, we managed to clean the entire apartment, and set out a really good food and drink menu! Everyone arrived around 7:30pm. It was starting to get everybody into the wedding mood which was good. We all had some of the nice snacks, a glass of wine or two and chatted to all.
We had a 9pm out-the-door policy at the apartment. So at least the soon to be married couple could have some time alone! Charles and Michelle seemed to finally relax and lots of laughter was had by all. Maxine and I never stopped filling glasses and checking the food. I think we should start a business. Actually she is planning to and I am sure she will do amazingly well! True to our word, at 9pm we had washed everything we could and as the clock struck 9pm we escorted everyone out to taxi�s. We had one last toast, the young-ones, and then we bid the happy couple farewell. They had smiles like the Cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland!
Britt was over for only a short time so we had to get her to see as much as we could so we bundled into 2 taxi�s and headed for the Hancock Tower. The 2nd tallest building in Chicago. We went to the signature lounge, on the 66th floor, it has amazing views over Chicago and even better cocktails. We were so high you could see the clouds going past below. And so the laughter carried on!
Friday Andrew and I did a bit of shopping on our own. First stop was Victoria Secret; you ladies are really deprived down there in SA. After paying at the till I decided shopping was over for me!!! And so we headed for the camera shop where Andrew had a wide angle lens being delivered for him for his camera. We headed to the sport�s shop where I got a pair of running shoes. We intend starting running someday soon�. At midday Peter had organised an architectural boat cruise for us all to go on through Chicago. It was really interesting and very hot. We managed to get some really interesting photographs of the many interesting buildings in Chicago.
Afterwards all those in the wedding procession went off for the church rehearsal. Maxine and I decided to head back to the hotel for a much needed nap. But we got side tracked when we passed Kate (a Varsity friend of the boys that came over for the wedding) in a store. So in we went and the next thing we where heading into more shops and more and more. Finally we got back to the hotel where I found Christine, Britt�s Varsity room mate who came over for the wedding. We did a bit of work on each others hair and tried to rest a little before dinner at Michelle�s parents house. I had the most divine Brisket at the dinner and seriously yummy desserts� Once again there was a 9pm out the door rule. I think we started something! We all had a full day ahead so it was quite good!
I was not with Andrew as he was with Charles, I was quite used to being without him by this stage, it had been a week of me being with everyone else and him helping Charles do groom/best-man stuff. But I was not prepared for when he arrived back at the hotel for him to tell me that there was so much stuff that still needed to be done that him and Ian were going to stay at Charles for the night. Michelle was staying at her parents and Britt was with her. So after a frantic pack the boys were off with promises of seeing Maxine and I up the aisle�again!
I lay in bed thinking never in a million years would I have believed that
one day I would be staying on my own in a hotel room just off
Saturday�morning of the wedding. The girls had arranged to meet down in the breakfast room at 9am where we had a good laugh at the disorganisation of the boys!!! Ian had forgotten his suite pants and Andrew had taken my hotel key as well as his own. So Maxine had already been to the apartment and back already, complements of a Chicago cab! Then I was off to the hairdresser across the road. Yes I had succumbed to having my hair done by the hairdresser after Maxine said she was going. After having a rather uninspiring blow-dry, you can never please a hairdresser, I headed back to the hotel and the Audrey/Melanie hairdressers room. With the help of Michelle�s hairdryer, my new Velcro rollers, and of course Peter�s continuous top up of cold coke, I got through a Saturday morning of blow-dries and then headed off to smooth over the few frizzles Christine had. Then it was back to my room, a cold bath and a serious fix of my now frizzy hair. The Chicago heat was not helping.
Dressed but not quite ready to go, Maxine came up to my room to get a last minute tweak on her hair, next thing the phone rings and Audrey needs a tweak on her make-up. Phone rings again, Christine needs an opinion on her dress. So with chicks being chicks in my room: Me doing Maxine�s hair, who in follow is doing Audrey�s make-up�very well I must add, multi-talented this chick! And Christine running off to change dresses, we finally all got ready to meet in the hotel lobby and get on the bus Charles had arranged for all of us. So off I got on the hotel receptions phone telling everyone to get down now, and then showing them where the bus was parked while Peter did the head count to check if all were on. A good team effort I must admit. And our luck that had seemed to be with us so far on our trip was still weaving its magic.
Andrew and Ian, after spending most of the night helping Charles pack, finish speeches etc, spent the first bit of Saturday morning organising ribbon for the car and making sure all was on time. Charles had woken up at about 7am and was alredy dressed by 9am. Andrew quickly got Charles a little more relaxed and sent him to sleep on the sofa for an hour or so. Once awake, Sam, Jim and Mike soon arrived and it was go go go. We drove, ribbon and all, dropped the SA wedding cake at the reception and headed for the church.
We arrived at the church with plenty of time to spare. So much so a few of us were making talk about heading for the MacDonald�s at the end of the road. We all seemed to have forgotten to have lunch! We got some cool pictures of the boys and the family and then it was time for the long Catholic service including communion. I sat in the front row next to Audrey and took some awesome pictures during the service. All the ones in the church are me�aren�t I good. Audrey and I got the giggles horribly when Andrew�s knees got sore from kneeling and he started to wriggle. It was hilarious, like a little boy! Charles and Michelle were both a little nervous, but really looked amazing with the sun shining on both of them. Of course the American limo theme surfaced!
After the service we had some pictures taken in the church with the new Mr & Mrs (Dr�s) Nyman. Then we headed to the folks place for drinks and snacks. By this stage I had seriously low blood sugar. After a yummy baguette filled with even yummier stuff and a cherry-cola I was right as rain again and ready to party!!! The bridal party went off quickly to a nearby park and lake to have some pictures. The heat was unbearable that even champagne had to be opened early!
So off we headed to the reception� My, how American/Polish weddings are different to ours! In Polish tradition you don�t RSVP so Charles and Michelle didn�t have definite numbers coming to the wedding. So to avoid too many empty tables, only the close family had tables reserved for them. We had a really cool table on the edge of the dance floor with a good view. I got some awesome pic�s. Only the parents sat at the main table so I had Andrew at my side finally. In American/Polish tradition the groom�s men don�t give speeches so there were quite a few tables making a noise during the speeches. Non-the-less Andrew and Ian gave awesome speeches, with Michelle�s brother coming up to put his arm around Andrew when the tears started to flow and he didn�t make it to his glass in time. Of course this gesture got us all going � thanks Jim!!!
Once all the formalities were done we were all ready to party and did we party� Michelle�s family had brewed traditional Polish honey vodka and there was a bottle on every table, along with normal vodka and Godiva chocolates for all. World famous, really yummy chocolates!!! Myself and Suna, Sam Crocker�s wife, went to pinch the left over boxes on the empty tables, and the vodka of course. Surprisingly nobody got stupid and loads of laughter and fun was the only outcome of the night! It was amazing how us South Africans seemed to really get the dancing going. Ian, Andrew and Charles's music CD creation was a complete hit. In fact we must make sure to get a copy from Charles.
When we all thought the laughter was over and it was time to say good-bye to the newly wed�s, we headed out side with rather heavy hearts. But then the side splitting laughter began. There was some mix-up with the Limo/city car Charles had ordered to take them to the hotel. Outside stood the most porno limo most of us had ever seen. It was a 16 seater, white stretched limo with cream and red seats and a laser ball/light inside. The drivers door's opened like the Back-to-the-future-car, the wheels were really thick and the whole thing had dropped suspension� Of course we had to get in for a closer look and managed to find Paul Simon on the radio station to give a nice feel to the moment!
The happy couple finally said there good byes and managed to chase us out of
there limo and off they left for there honeymoon in
Sunday was the day for most of us to leave. Ian and Maxine left before we had even risen, shame. Audrey, Peter, Aunt Nelly, Uncle Fred, Andrew and I quickly popped over to Charles and Michelle's apartment to do the last minute decoration to the car - South African tradition and all. Aunt Nelly also had a nice surprise for them - scattering small presents in hidden places throughout the apartment.
Britt, Kate, Andrew and I all had to be at the airport around mid morning all at the same time so we shared a cab to the nearest train stop and then caught the train together. This time Andrew and I got the head-honcho to check us in and he gave us seats together and near the front, 2nd row.
So now we are safe and sound home back in
The smile seemed to have long gone when we saw him get out of the plane after he buzzed the run-way really low and with the wings at a right angle to the run-way. Yes, that is side ways. To say he was white was an understatement. And then the chatter started�.we went up side down�I went blind�I flew the plane�it was like he was 6 years old again! Now for my good news�I got a promotion!!! I am letting administrator. Pretty cool as I had been dropping hints for ages that I wanted to do it. I now get to spend my day chatting to Landlords, writing up tenancy agreements, finding out who wants to stay and who wants move out, manage our website, etc! I wanted to do it cos I think it�s the one role I could make use of if and when we come home. The whole legal side of letting. I just got a lecture from my boss not to mess up cos if I do we end up in court, I told him no worries! Lets hold thumbs.
Andrew also got his Neonatal job for February next year which he is really pleased about. It is a formal teaching post, and hopefully then he will get a specialist training post thereafter. He continues in PICU, one of the more senior registrars now and still enjoying it.
So that is what we have been up to until now. This weekend Andrew is working night shifts so he�s in bed sleeping. I have a weekend of doing washing, making chocolate brownies tomorrow and catching up on email. Oh yes, and learning how to use Microsoft Excel.
Love you all lots,
Mel & Andrew
P.S Come visit sometime soon