Chicago

I arrived in Chicago today. We walked around, ate at a local bakery, did a 90 minute boat tour of the Chicago river and Lake Michigan, and had coffee at a trendy place. I went on the boat tour two years ago with my friend Tim, and knew my mother and grandmother would love it. It was far too cold for us, though. I hope none of us gets sick. We definitely did not pack appropriate clothing. The two of them walked around the city with White Sox blankets draped over their shoulders that we got at a tourist shop. We are staying at the W Hotel on Lakeshore. It's way too "trendy" for me. The lobby, which I am writing this post in, is more like a dance club. There's dim purple lighting and techno music and people are walking around all over with beverages. The room itself is a little too much. The bathroom has a window in the wall that allows people in the main room to look into the bathroom. There are wooden shudders that offer a little privacy. The door to the bathroom is also weird. It's a bamboo sliding screen door that doesn't lock. This arrangement might work for a couple on a honeymoon, but is extremely awkward for a young man staying with his mother and grandmother. Did I mention the hotel is also filled with the head-pounding powerful scent of perfume? I've had a headache the whole time. The hotel isn't all bad, though. It's in a good location and has rocking chairs out front that allows guests to look onto Lake Shore Drive and Lake Michigan.

Tomorrow morning I'm going to get up at 5:00 a.m. and take the transit to St. John Cantius Parish. At 6:00 they have Matins and Lauds (the office of readings and morning prayer), which is followed by a traditional Latin low Mass. I've been there before, also with Tim. It was the last place I saw in Chicago last time I came. It's a beautiful church, and the priests there are taking on the noble task of restoring beautiful music and art to the Catholic liturgy, both in the Novus Ordo and in the traditional Latin Mass. In fact, even their Ordinary Form Masses in English are celebrated ad orientem, that is, with the priest facing the same way as the congregation. This is, according to many leaders in the Church, one of the most important ways of restoring the liturgy with a proper emphasis.

Anyway, I've only been here a half of a day! Tomorrow is a full one and sure to be more action-packed. Oh, and by the way, we've already heard people talking behind our backs about our accent. So far they've said nice things. See y'all later.