A year ago today, we were wandering the streets of Milan.  Today, we’re in equally wonderful city that’s a lot closer to home.  We have some big trips ahead, so a Midwestern weekend made sense.  Plus, Bambino loves Chicago.

We’re not big Michigan Ave. shoppers.  The American Girl store and Legoland are not on the schedule.  Instead, we are enjoying the city itself.

 

We started off Day 2 pretending we were Italian. 

  

   

  (We honestly visited Eataly three times in about 12 hours.  It doesn’t help that it’s less than a block from our hotel.)

Then, we visited one of my favorite museums in the world.

   

  

    

       

I was about Bambino’s age when I first visited the Field Museum.  It was a joy to see his reaction to its treasures.  He explored and played.  He asked questions.  He learned.  

After our trek through the Field Museum, we needed a break.  Buddy Guy Legends was fairly close by.  An acoustic blues set and gumbo beckoned.

  

The musician playing was very talented, and kind enough to explain to us the history of blues and banjos.  (The place filled moments after I took this photo.). UPDATE :   I discovered afterward that we had been in the able hands of Fruteland Jackson, who is an award-winning blues educator.  

After lunch, the sunshine lured us back outside, to one of Chicago’s many parks.

 
 

 

We were joined for a happy hour by an old friend of mine.  Bambino chattered his ear off about elephants, “sauruses,” and “bluuuuues on the banjo!”  It was a good day.

Today, we planning on a zoo visit, more blues, and whatever else Chicago serves up for us.  Stay curious.