Last month we took a very fun trip to Chicago. Sam was selected for National Honor Choir as part of the ACDA National Convention. 2000 junior high school students auditioned and only 300 made it. Only three boys from Sam’s school, Sam included were selected. It was Sam’s first time auditioning for this event and so it was so exciting he made it!
He had very little free time. They rehearsed about nine hours a day for four days. Their guest director was Rollo Dilworth from Temple University. The kids were amazing! Sam had a great time!
Since Sam was so busy with rehearsal Alan and I had a lot of free time. So, we walk all over town and saw as much as we could. Of course we couldn’t go very far because we had to pick Sam up during all his meal breaks. We also had to make sure he made it back to rehearsal on time! But we had a marvelous time seeing the city.
Of course there were a few adventures along the way and the first one happened on our way to Chicago. We filled up for gas in Casselton, ND (our old stomping ground). We got a bite to eat, paid for gas and off we went. We stopped at a rest area in Minnesota outside of the Twin-Cities and as were getting ready to leave, Alan noticed he forgot to put the gas cap back on. He thinks he put it on top of the car while he was filling it and then just drove off forgetting it was there. It was getting late in the day so, we had to find an auto parts store to buy a new one. We were to find one right away and back on the road again. Yay!!!!
Fortunately, we left the bad weather behind so we had no weather related issues to report. It was smooth sailing all the way!
We got into Chicago and to our VERY expansive Hotel The PHouse Hilton around 11:00 p.m. When we went to check in there was a line a mile long! Let me just say that we did not choose this hotel. It was required that all choir members and chaperones had to stay at this hotel. It was just easier to have all the kids in one place and within walking distance of the auditorium where they would perform. Anywho, it took forever for us to get to the desk to check in, only to find out that they had given us a room with only one bed. A supposedly queen bed but we needed two beds. They offered us for $40 more a night a large room with 3 roll-a-way beds. Ummm……….. I said “no thank you, I will not pay one penny more than what we were quoted and by the way we booked our reservation for three, two months ago”! “Nothing short of that will do, Thank you”! They countered with offering us a roll-a-way bed for Sam. Gritting my teeth I said “OKAY”.
You think that’s the end of the story huh? Wait, it gets better! We go to our room, open the door to find a very tiny room the size of my dinning room. There was only about two feet of free space around the bed. So, I turn to Alan and ask “where is Sam suppose to put a bed”? “ON THE DESK”? There was hardly any room for us to walk around the bed or for our luggage. It was CRAZY! So, I made Alan go and ask for management and demand a bigger room! This is what we ended up with and not a penny more than we were quoted. I was so proud of Alan, he told me he said a silent prayer before he went down. He doesn’t like to deal with stuff like that. I don’t mind at all but it was his turn.
Sam finally got some free time. So we took Sam to the Sky deck at the Willis Tower (formally known as the Sears Tower. I didn’t even know they changed the name.) It was very cool!
For St. Patrick’s day they dye a portion of the Chicago river green. We a saw it turn green from the skydeck. I wanted to go down by the river and see it for myself. This is where my baby boy started to complain. He just wanted to go back to the hotel. We just wanted to have some fun! So we ignored crabby pants and kept on walking. We didn’t know exactly where it was but Alan didn’t think it was too far. It was farther than we thought but eventually we found it. They had a St. Patrick’s day parade so there was a lot people out and about wearing festive attire.
Back to the reason we are here. The kids had to walk to the auditorium for a dress rehearsal the night before their performance. The auditorium was beautiful! Sam was pretty impressed as you can see by the photo below.
The concert was incredible! The kids were true professionals and the music selection was awesome! Loved every minute!
Sam ready for his performance.
The kids getting some words of encouragement.
Of course Sam makes friends where ever he goes.
The lovely Phouse Hilton downtown beautiful Chicago.
We were able to meet up with our former exchange Student Illyasse who now lives in Chicago. He was so excited to see us! It was fun visiting with him. He’s a crazy, crazy guy!
We are grateful to Sam for being the talented boy that he is and allowing us this opportunity and wonderful memories. We love Chicago!!!!!!!
