~~Note – I wrote this a few weeks ago, but am too lazy to change the verbs. ~~
I’m here in Chicago again for my annual June pilgrimage. Here are some new observations of Chicago (It might help to read my ones from last year to compare. Also put Chicago into my search box above.):
1. Downtown Chicago has great "walk" signs. The most I’ve had to wait at one was 20 seconds. I walked blocks and blocks without nary a break. 
2. Fancy galoshes are popular here. I saw many women sporting these rain boots in many different patterns. It was supposed to thunderstom today, but luckily it didn’t. 
3. Smoking is prevalent in the city. People of all ages were puffing while walking and taking smoke breaks outside of buildings. That was very weird for me to see because in L.A., I just don’t see too many smokers. Then again, I don’t really see lots of people together either because I am not walking around with crowds of people – I am driving. In downtown Chicago though with lots of people walking together, I frequently would have to hold my breath whenever a smoker passed by. If I did not hold my breath long enough, I’d get a whiff of the second-hand smoke cloud. Smoking just seemed like an anachronism, so 70s or 80s. I really don’t experience second or first-hand smoke in L.A., just smog.
4. Steak houses are everywhere and froyo still has not taken over the Midwest yet. No Pinkberries in sight, but there are froyo knock-offs.
5. People in Chicago are as nice and helpful as ever. Chicago is a cosmopolitan city allright but it just doesn’t have any of the ‘tude NYC has. That’s pretty cool.
6. Paper toilet seat covers are still not often used here. Why, Chicago, why? It’s like the city has a boycott against them.
7. Cloth towel hand driers still exist! 
8. Cellulite is A-okay here! It’s hot and humid – women are wearing shorts and tanks tops with no shame. This definitely is not L.A. where toned bodies are everywhere. I find it hard to believe Michelle Obama came from these parts because the majority of women I’ve seen here decidedly do not have Michelle arms. I think I’m primarily looking at Midwestern tourists though. I like it that people are not fixated by appearance here. It’s a relief.
UP NEXT – Riding the Chicago Water Taxi
