A ‘Grand Entrance’

After all the peaceful closures I had made in California, I hoped it would be an easy transition to Chicago.

So landing at Midway seemed a wise decision. I did not have to wade through O’hare’s tourist crowds and never-ending hallways with all 41 years of my life in two large suitcases, a handbag, and carry on. Travel light, I kept it to heart.

A typical sight on Lakeshore Drive

Luck was on my side—I got a free Uber Black upgrade with a driver who cheerfully loaded all my bags in his Tesla Model X. I savored the idyllic views of Lake Michicgan as we traversed Lakeshore Drive. Boats sailed while locals ran, biked, and walked with their babies and dogs amid a backdrop of turquoise and aquamarine.

I couldn’t believe this place would be my new home.

Weeks later, a client shared that they found the Chicago crowd the most electrifying!

But my peace was cut short the moment we attempted to enter Montrose: a police car blocked our only entry. Another woman tried to get through, but did not succeed. It’s then that I recalled seeing some Manila connections being in Chicago that weekend. It’s the Chicago Marathon! I couldn’t have chosen a better day to arrive—sarcastically speaking.

Of course, the roads surrounding my apartment were closed. The Uber driver dropped me off at the closest corner. From there, I had push my luggage to get around the neighborhood. They all suddenly felt heavy.

What good fortune I had deteriorated. Because I had to pick up my keys from another building, I needed to get past the crowds—but not without the baggage. The building was more than a mile away. (It’s 2.2 kms for my friends who live in the metric world.)

Give it to my neighborhood, the marathon was also political.

I first approached the corner cafe near my apartment; it did not have the space to secure my belongings. Meanwhile, the shop next door did not want to be accountable. I began feeling defeated, wondering if those responses had to do with my being the odd one out. Then I saw a barber shop ran by immigrants. They willingly took my luggage in, assuring me that they will keep an eye on them. I could take my time.

Thanks to these men who spoke broken English, I finally felt safe and ready to take the keys that would unlock a new chapter.

To be continued…