Thankfully she agreed and you get to enjoy her post today!
Enough from me - Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's Monica.
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I could not be happier about guest posting for A Foreign Land! Having experienced life as a foreigner during my time in grad school I discovered many wonderful things about myself, and about the US which I would’ve never learned any other way. I am ecstatic about sharing my personal experiences in the wonderful city of Chicago. Be warned: I am absolutely biased; this city has captured my heart.
Love at first sight…
I had my first encounter with the Windy City at age 17. I was in town for a conference in the suburbs just outside Chicago, and took an afternoon off to explore the city with a few friends I’d met that week. I was blown away (not literally) but I was just amazed at how beautiful it was. The buildings, the river, the pier, Millennium Park…everything made me oooh and aah; even the train ride seemed gorgeous! I left thinking it was the best city ever.
7 years later I found myself landing at Chicago O’Hare airport and thinking I was going to be disappointed by the high expectations I had. Surely my 17 year old, impressionable self was mistaken…. Ha! I remember walking right up to this sign at the airport and getting butterflies in my stomach. I was wrong… this city was magic and my
I spent the next 3 days soaking up the city’s energy. I walked up and down Michigan Avenue, listened to a capella singing groups at Millennium Park, enjoyed the amazing food, and visited the museums. Walking 30 blocks to go to a club in the middle of March seemed like a reasonable thing to do… after all I was only in town for a few days and my mornings and early afternoons were spent sitting in a hotel conference room. I couldn’t get enough of it!
Even missing my flight back seemed like a blessing in disguise because it allowed me to enjoy one more night in this wonderful place! I have yet to go back in summer and winter… I’ve only managed to visit during spring; Molly has managed to make me green with envy when I read all about the free concerts and guided tours she is enjoying. I even tried searching for jobs in Chicago right after I graduated but it seems right now is not the best time. However, if all else fails I can just make it my go-to vacation destination. I truly am in love with Chicago…and I’m sure I have only seen the tip of the iceberg.
I’m an amateur blogger without a blog of my own, I just enjoy guest posting for my amazing bloggy-friends (I just made up a term!). If you’re interested in discussing Chicago, learning about life as a public relations professional or practicing your Spanish jump over and follow me on twitter @CallMeMoMorales.
