Chicago Pride

Timing is everything. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time when the road closed off for the parade so I was right up against the gate. I'm pretty sure every political figure, sports team, drag queen, school system, church, police officer, and news anchor in the city of Chicago was marching today. Seriously, the parade began at noon, it is now 2 and there are still floats and things going past where I was standing. Congrats Chicago, you definitely showed your spirit and enthusiasm today.

Chi Town!

Greetings from Chicago! I'm so happy to be traveling around again. I've only been here for two days but things have been nothing but wonderful so far. I don't begin dancing until Monday so, in the meantime, I've been exploring the area and getting myself acquainted with this part of the city.

Both the neighborhood where I'm living and the neighborhood where are the studio is are adorable. There are a number of local bookstores and coffee shops and I can't wait to get frozen yogurt after class (10 pm sugar high?) It seems like every single person around here is awake and outside running, walking, or riding a bike by 8am. There's nothing better than seeing the world so alive in the morning :)

One of my goals for today is to finally make my way over to Lake Michigan. I can see the water from outside  the apartment and I really want to go for a run by all the boats that are docked there but I've been having trouble figuring out how to cross the giant freeway separating me from the lake. I'm all for taking chances and everything but risking my life crossing Lake Shore Drive (appropriately abbreviated LSD) does not seem desirable in any capacity. Fortunately, a couple friends who live here let me know that there are pedestrian walkways that go under the highway so I can finally stop standing on the far side of Lake Shore Drive looking like a lost puppy.

Speaking of puppies, literally everyone around here has a dog. I came across this little guy outside of the Caribou Coffee across the street yesterday.

Chicago is celebrating Pride this weekend and even the dogs are dressed up in their rainbow attire. There's one woman I've seen around here a couple times walking her two giant dogs whose fur she has dyes blue, pink, and green for the occasion. The Pride parade is later on this afternoon and I'm hoping to make my way over there to check out the wild outfits and meet some new people :)