FutureCat's Visit

[mojosmom]

Sometimes it's good you don't know about something. If I'd known about this, I'd probably have gone to NYC this week to relive my misspent youth, and missed futurecatnz's visit!

We had a wonderful time! I picked FutureCat up at O'Hare Wednesday evening. As usual, I got there well ahead of schedule, so I had a drink at the bar and then hung out in the arrivals area people watching. Of course, I recognized her immediately, if only because no one else was wearing a BookCrossing t-shirt! We headed home, with a brief stop at the produce market, and I introduced her to my cats. Lilith, as usual, was happy to have another cat person in the house to admire her. Marissa, also as usual, performed a disappearing act. I passed on to FC the books texaswren had sent on, and also this book, which was on hand at the Evanston Meet-Up earlier in the week, and which I immediately knew I had to grab for her. We sampled some Spanish pastries, she had brought me, and then it was (relatively) early to bed because FC was pretty tired after her long flight.

After breakfast the next day, we went out and our first mission was to purchase a prepaid phone, as the one FC bought in Singapore did not work here, contrary to what she had been told. I blushed for my fellow Americans as the sales woman at Radio Shack said, as she was registering the phone, "Where did you say you were from? New England?" Their computer system was completely unable to deal with non-U.S. postal codes or telephone country codes, so we ended up giving her my address instead. After settling that, I showed FutureCat the University of Chicago campus, including a brief visit to the Oriental Institute, an exterior tour of Robie House (docented by me), and a few other notable spots, the Seminary Co-op Bookstore among them. Sadly, when we went into Rockefeller Chapel, we found that the glorious rose window was hiding behind construction barriers. (This will be a theme.)

After a brief rest back at my place, we gathered books and selves together. Before heading downtown, we went to the Dixie Kitchen and Bait Shop for lunch, and I think Cajun cooking has another fan from the Antipodes (Skyring is another after his visit last year!). Our first stop was the Cultural Center, as I think it is one of the most beautiful buildings we have here, particularly Preston Bradley Hall's stunning stained glass dome - which was in restauro and therefore not visible! Next stop, Macy's on State Street. Yes, mojosmom went into Macy's, but only because FC had a Levenger's gift card burning a hole in her pocket, and I know better than to stand between a book lover and Levenger's! We then headed to Millennium Park, and FC released a couple of books on the way (not in Millennium Park - security doesn't like that!):


After seeing the Gehry and the Bean and the Lurie Gardens and and and, we went to the Art Institute (which is right across the street). We visited the French Impressionists

and a number of other galleries, and after a bit our feet were a tired, so we had a respite and a cup of tea in the Member's Lounge. (This is another excellent reason for Chicagoans to become members of the AIOC!) FutureCat wondered if there was any Native American art at the AIOC, so we checked the floor plan, found that we needed to go to Gallery 50, and headed that way, only to discover that it was "closed for reinstallation"! (I told you this would be a theme!)

It was, in any case, about time to head to Cosí's, where we hoped to meet up with some other Chicago Bookcrossers. They also have free WiFi, but, for some reason, FutureCat's laptop didn't cooperate. In the event, only one other person came, Koolmotor, but we had a good deal of fun nonetheless.

We traded off a bunch of books (surprise!) and FutureCat showed us New Zealand's Convention presentation. I really, really want to go, and I'm hoping (without too much optimism) that the dollar will be stronger this time next year, and that I can manage sufficient time off to make it worth the (very long) trip.

This morning, we got up very early, as FutureCat had a 9:00 flight to Ottawa and, as that's an international flight, had to be at O'Hare two hours ahead of time (probably not really necessary, but better to be early at the airport than to be worrying about missing the plane). I left a bit of extra time as there is a variety of road construction going on, but traffic wasn't too bad at all. I was sorry that FutureCat's visit wasn't longer, it was such fun having her and learning much I didn't know about her country. I advise everyone that if the opportunity arises to host a fellow BookCrosser, do it!

Comments

[madame-urushiol.livejournal.com]

How fun! Isn't she delightful? I'm so glad you two were able to meet.

The "closed for renovation" was a theme in London too--I missed out on the Lewis Chess Men at the British Museum because they're doing a new Medieval section, and I pouted for the rest of the day. ;)

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's wonderful to read what happens when two of your favourite peple get together.

I had such a great time in Chicago. It was a packed day. But yeah and Mmmmmm - Dixie Kitchen and Bait Shop!

And the Art Institute - I know I barely scraped the surface of the collection.

Thanks for looking after Futurecat. Now I'll hunt around and find her journal entry, if she finds waking time to write one...

[fancyhorse.livejournal.com]

What a delightful entry! Thanks for linking to it from the chitchat thread. I love the photo of the release of what looks like a travel book in the arms of a mannequin dressed as a pilot!

I wish I could meet one of the New Zealanders, but none of them are coming my way, alas!

[holmesfan.livejournal.com]

You certainly packed a lot into such a brief time. Shame about the things that were not available but so much was that FC will be thrilled. What was the painting she is photographed gazing at? I'm sure I recognize it but can't put the name to it.
From other Kiwi Bookcrossers, thanks for looking after one of our ambassadors so well.
Do hope the exchange rate is kind to you - it would be sooooo good if you are able to come here in 2009. Christchurch is a super city with lots to see and do, and bookcrossers aplenty.

[mojosmom.livejournal.com]

The painting is Georges Seurat's Un dimanche après-midi à l'Ile de la Grande Jatte, probably one of the Art Institute's most well-known works.

[holmesfan.livejournal.com]

Thanks for confirmation. I'd been telling MrFan about your entry while taking an evening constitutional, mentioned the photo of FC with the painting and said that I thought is was a Seurat but wanted to be sure. The old memory part of the brain obviously hasn't quite lost its touch. Your response much appreciated.

[greedyreader.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing.

[atenea-nike.livejournal.com]

I love foodcrossing :)) When I was in London, a dutch bookcrosser gave me some chocolate sprinkles to put on my morning toast (I remembered that yummy kind of toast from my Interrail days in Holland). Then when Futurecat left us we gave her spongy cakes called "sobados" for the early breakfast (I doubt those made it to Chicago - they don't travel well) and some traditional pastries, eaten mostly at Christmas but not only. I see *those* made the trip - I only hope they weren't horribly dry (they tend to be, you know).

[mojosmom.livejournal.com]

Not horribly dry - and we had them with orange juice (for FutureCat) and tea (for me). Thank you for sending them!

[atenea-nike.livejournal.com]

Well, don't thank me, thank her - they were hers once I gave them to her (hence the term "foodcrossing" :)) )

far?

[newkaligula.livejournal.com]

you certainly packed a lot in. Thanks for sharing and putting link up in the forum.
I think you should go/come to NZ

(newk)

[alrescate.livejournal.com]

It sounds like a lovely time!

[hotflash-bc.livejournal.com]

Great post. Thanks for sharing futurecat's visit with the rest of us.

I just stumbled across the "BCer's world tour" info a few days ago (clicked on futurecat's link from one of your posts and then followed a link on her shelf to the world-tour page).
(cross-posted -- by mistake -- as a comment to "discoverylover's" post)

I love the idea of hosting other BCers.
In 2006, jessibud put me up for a couple of nights in Toronto. We had a wonderful visit. We spent an entire day at the Word on the Street book festival. And, as an added bonus, I got to meet another Toronto BookCrosser at the festival, bookgirrl. I LOVED Toronto. Beautiful city. Dying to get back there.
Maybe one day - Chicago !!!!!