While I was in Chicago, I had the fortune of visiting a diner that claimed to be a cross between a roadside diner of the 50's and the classic Jewish deli. You know how much of a foodie I am. So I was looking forward to some very good eats. Well, imagine my delight when I order a sandwich called "Rubin's Ruben" -- corned beef, swiss, sauerkraut, and thousand island dressing on some of the softest rye bread I've had in awhile. I got a chill when I bit into it the first time. Wonderful! This mountain of a sandwich was really good. (And the Bazooka gum that had jokes and the wrapper that were written in Hebrew instead of English was fun too.)
Yet, what I enjoyed almost as much was the cultural diversity of the moment. Chicago's history is rich with the good (diverse cultures from immigration), the bad (politics), and the ugly (The Jungle, anyone?). It's a fascinating city with many different tastes that spring from its German / Polish / Italian / [name your other immigrant groups here] roots. Visiting there makes you realize how long this country has existed (not long compared to European countries) and how much it has changed today.
It also made me think again about how different the human experience is for many people in the city. After living not far from the Magnificent Mile (i.e., shopping ($$$) capital of Chicago), I'm about to show a video in class produced by an ethnographer that explores communication between & within gangs in the very same city. Contrasting the life of the "Mag Milers" with the intense poverty of other areas makes you think. What if those of us who are privileged spent a little less time pointing condemning fingers and a little more time giving helping hands?
All in all, a great trip (though I did miss my better half!). I'm looking forward to going back at some point in the (hopefully) not so distant future. If you ever get a chance to go, you won't be disappointed. Unless, of course, you're a Cubs fan... (Sorry Ian! Maybe next year!) :-)
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