Where I stayed: Holiday Jones Hostel It took me 8 hours by Greyhound bus to reach my dream city from Columbus, Ohio. I enjoyed traveling with them; the buses are comfortable, rarely full, the trip is cheap, and you can choose any seat, plus use the onboard restroom while moving. Definitely bring a jacket or a sweater, as it is very cold on the buses due to the air conditioning. In general, be prepared for the fact that in all public places, transport, and taxis, the air conditioning is often running at full power. I already wrote that you shouldn't take a large suitcase, and well, it was inconvenient for me to get around with my suitcase, a rolling bag, and a backpack because the subway is absolutely not designed for people with luggage: no elevators, no escalators, only stairs! If you are staying at the same hostel, keep in mind that there are no elevators. The receptionist helped me carry my suitcase (I didn't tip, I don't even know if I should have). The hostel is clean, the bathroom was shared per floor, but it locked from the inside. I was disappointed by the lack of a power outlet on the top bunk of the double bed. To say that I dreamed of visiting this city is an understatement. Since I was 12, I've had a photo in my memory of my friend's older sister who left for the States back in 2008 on the Work and Travel program, which I knew nothing about at the time. In the photo: her, skyscrapers, and a strange mirror object - a bean... At that moment, I felt a burning desire to visit that very city and that very place; I literally saw myself in the photo... All this time, I was sure that one day I would come to this city and see its strange futuristic symbol. First thing after checking in, I headed to Millennium Park; that's where the most popular attraction is located in the very center of Chicago - Cloud Gate. On the way, it seemed to me that very soon, the photo, already quite blurry in my memory, was about to become reality, only I would be in it. When I saw it in person, my smile knew no bounds; I couldn't believe it wasn't a dream. But it was, which made me shine and glow. Many might find such admiration for public sculpture strange, but for me at that moment, it meant only one thing - dreams come true! The next morning was foggy, and I thought it would prevent me from visiting the observation deck on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower, so I headed to Lake Michigan. On the way, I was surprised by the number of ducks and seagulls freely walking around in the parks near the lake, like pigeons in our cities. The lake turned out to be very clean and blue, which was unexpected for urban conditions. Chicago is a city with an illusion of crime. Why? Because when you hear about it, the persona of Al Capone pops into your head, and personally, I immediately remember the Russian film Brother-2, which takes place in Chicago. The music from the film was playing in my headphones and accompanied all my walks around this city, creating a special mood and the impression that I am here, in a completely unfamiliar city, not alone, like the main character, and Chicago is not a stranger to me. But that's a plot for another movie. Closer to noon, the fog cleared, and I accomplished what I had planned - I went up to the observation deck. The view from there is impressive; you don't even believe or feel that you are so high up, of course, if you are not afraid of heights. The windows with a glass floor protruding from the building are such a popular place for photos that visitors are given only 60-90 seconds depending on the number of people in the group. What I like about such tourist places are the good souvenirs: beautiful, original, high-quality, a little more expensive - so what?! On the evening of the next day, I went to Navy Pier. Admission is free, and the view from there is worth a million dollars - a beautiful night city shimmering in lights. Look at it from the Ferris wheel – the sensations are indescribable! Three days of endless
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