A Summer in Chicago

Because I was one of four children it was much out of the ordinary for one of any of the sibilings to take a summer vacation on their own.

My father's mother and sister had insisted that I take a trip to visit them. Looking back I cannot recall why they singled me out. They assured that they would pay for my flight and accomodate me with anything that I needed while I was there. 

I had only flown once prior to flying on my own that summer. The stewardess made sure to check on me often, as she was aware I was flying alone, making sure I was comfortable.

My summer in Chicago was full of new experiences. My Aunt took on a tour of Chicago stopping at the Brookfield Zoo, the Shedd Aquarium off of Lake Michicgan, and the Art Institute of Chicago, at that time my interests were still heavily focused on art. Because my Aunt is a creative individual herself she thought that exposing me to art was a good idea, however, letting my cousin accompany us was a mistake. For the first hour or so we were extremely well behaved. Though after the hour had been spent my cousin and I grew restless and began to horse play.  

My grandmother took my cousin and I to see Les Miserables. She had purchased floor tickets in advance, not aware of my coming to visit, though upon arrival at the box office she was able to get tickets youth tickets for my cousin and myself high in the balcony. My grandmother assured me that the seats would be temporary and that if durning admission there were open seats on the floor level that we could join her and her friend for the remainder of the performance. 

My father's brother's wife took me and my two younger cousins to the pool where we would soak in the sun, swim and dine on nachoes and popciles. 

My summer in Chicago came to an end when my family arranged a trip to visit as well as pick me up.