Riding the Train, Toasted Marshmallows, Mecca & Shoes

From Left to Right: Cindy Mack, Me (Rebecca Sweinhagen), Janet Hitchcock

Anyone who knows me will be surprised that I didn’t consider shoes as inclusive in Mecca.  It’s definitely separate and I believe, this solidifies my entry into full-on geekdom.  But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Monday morning at the bright and cheerful hour of 5:30, yes, in the morning, I awoke giddy as a schoolgirl about my impending train trip to Chicago with friends Cindy and Janet for the National Main Street Conference.  The photo of the train is certainly indicative of how foggy my brain was when we arrived at the Amtrak station in Bryan, Ohio.  

Within 5 minutes on the train we were scolded by an attendant because another passenger complained we were laughing too loud. The attendant told us what the disgruntled passenger had said, and assured us it was, indeed, not a sleeping car and that we were just fine.  We considered heckling the passenger but were afraid she looked shifty, so refrained.  Like 4 year old boys, we had to check it all out.  We walked to the front cafe car, and the back dining car.  We nosily peeked at all the seasoned travelers curled up with their pillows and blankies.  Finally, we settled in for the remainder of the 3 hour ride to Chicago.

We arrived safely, still a little groggy.  My energy started picking up when I saw the “welcome” sign.  A short cab ride later we were off and running at the Main Street Conference.

Our first night was dinner at Giordano’s – the traditional Chicago pan pizza.  ’Eh.  Could get pizza just as good in Defiance.  If you’re in Chicago, you can do worse, but you can most certainly do better.  

Our second night, we ventured far away from the Palmer House, about 11 miles away in a cab on West Armitage to Geja’s Cafe for fondue and some of the best restaurant service I’ve encountered.  It was here, after a filling and exotic meal of breads, fruits, shrimp, scallops, lobster, steak, chicken, and vegetables that we encountered their infamous flaming chocolate fondue. Chocolate fondue topped with orange liquer is lit at the table and you toast marshmallows in the fragrant flames. Marshmallows.  Roasted marshmallows.  Right there at the table!  No mosquitos…no sticks…just elegant fire & marshmallows with the hauntingly romantic sounds of flamenco guitar.  

Marshmallows.  

When the fire magically poofed out, I devoured the remaining fruit dipped in the chocolate and moaned lightly in ecstacy.

And yet, this is not Mecca.

Wednesday brought a true tourist experience.  Cindy’s niece Laura met us for a tour of the Magnificent Mile. Lunch at the Cheesecake Factory – the ultimate tourist luncheon, left us sated and delighted.  The avocado egg rolls – get them.  Mmmmmm.  The banana cheesecake, sounds disgusting, I know, but oh, it was good.

Then walking.  Six+ miles of walking.  The day was beautiful.  My feet were swollen and I didn’t even care.  On the way back to the hotel to grab our bags and catch the train back to Bryan, I saw it.  Glowing in all it’s sleek beauty.  The Apple Store downtown.  

The light did shine down from above and I’m almost positive I heard angels singing.  (It may have been a street light and cabbie’s horn – but I was fascinated and you shouldn’t pee in my cornflakes with scientific explanations for my religious experiences).

 I have been an Apple convert for several months and every day I love my iMac more.  In fact, right now as I type this, caressing the keyboard, I appreciate anew the beauty that is the iMac.  The store – well – if you don’t Mac you may not understand.  

Cindy, Janet and Laura tolerated my infatuation like parents that hope their small child will quit bringing them worms and slugs to appreciate.  But I, yes I, had found my Mecca.  The fact that Cole Haan’s shoe store is next door only makes it that much more magnificent.  I’ll go back some day.  I’ll walk 6 miles again if necessary.  But I will go back.

Bookmark to: