Chicago

I drove down to Chicago on Thursday night. When I got off the freeway to go to my hotel there was a park and ride for the blue line train right there. After checking in, I decided to take the train the 15 miles into the city. I assumed that there would be a map at the park and ride telling me where I was going.... There wasn't. I hopped on the train and went towards the city. From looking on the map on the train, I figured out that the first stop on the loop once you get down town was a transit station with links to all of the lines. I got off the train there, assuming that I would at least be able to find a map there. I was wrong. Instead I went outside and just started walking. I was thinking that maybe I would try to go to the Korean Consulate so that I would know where I had to go the next morning, but I didn't know exactly where it was. I stopped in every Walgreen's and Seven Eleven, thinking that I would find a map somewhere. I had no idea where I was going, but I just kept going. I got to a big street so I urned. I even walked by a AAA and got excited. Surely I could get a map there. But of course, they were closed for the day. Eventually I found a map on the side of a bus stop. The map reminded me that I had wanted to go to Millennium Park. I turned around and went back the other way.
The park is really cool. They had a great African band playing at the band shell.
At times when I was wandering around Chicago at dusk by myself I started feeling a little scared. Who knew what could happen to me in this huge city without anyone knowing where I was? But the feeling didn't last long. Mostly I felt really independent. I haven't really been so far from home by myself before. I guess I went to Council Bluffs, Iowa by myself, but Council Bluffs is nothing compared to Chicago.
Friday Morning I again took the train into the city to go to my Visa interview. I didn't know exactly where the Consulate was, and I wanted to make sure that I didn't miss my appointment, so I ended up getting there over an hour early. I just went down to the river and read for a while before going up. By the way, the river that goes through Chicago is absolutely gorgeous. My interview ended up being the most ridiculous thing in the world. They do two people at a time, so the guy asks a question, and we just took turns answering. The thing lasted five minutes, maximum. He asked if we had been out of the country before, if we had ever taught before, how long we were planning on staying in Korea and what we planned on doing when we were done. I was so mad when I left. I had driven 14 hours and payed for a hotel room for that? I don't see why they couldn't have done it over the phone. They have pictures of me, and they know that they are me because they also have my passport. I understand that they want to know that we aren't terrorists or anything, but that was just stupid.
Next Tuesday morning I will fly back down to Chicago to pick up my passport. It will be ready by three that afternoon. I will then rush back to the airport, because I have a flight that leaves at eight out to L.A. I will fly from L.A. to Seoul. I get into Seoul at five on Thursday morning, and go into work that same day.
I am ubuer excited. Last night I went on Youtube and found some videos of other teachers who were in the same city that I am going to (Bundang), giving video tours of their apartments. I can't wait to see what my living quarters for the next year are going to be. It looks like there are a bunch of things that will be quite different.
This time, for sure the next time I post I will be in Korea.
'Til then,
Stacie

P.S. Dad, if you read this, can you reply so that I know that you know what is happening? Thanks!