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Despite the fact that it turns out neither Annie nor anyone else really knew how to get to the Art Museum (which I think would be fair to blame on poor transit websites and schedules) we did make it to the Art Museum (with some calls from Kat and some leaving behind of Xnera). We paid our money (suggested donation of $7.00) and got our tickets. It was time to see some art!
I was, of course, following closely behind Annie as we entered the museum, but the group seem determined to see the weapons at the front (of course, it’s Hatrackers! ) After the weapons everyone wanted to go see the Chagall windows, but Annie was still looking at some of the displays, and by the time we reached the Chagall everyone had disappeared. I felt kind of bad about that, but I was secretly thrilled due to the fact that I now got an exclusive Chicago Art Museum our from the one and only Annie.
We headed up to impressionist section and there I learned what makes an impressionist painting an impressionist painting. We worked our way forward in time (which in the Chicago museum, happens to be South) and hit on the post-impressionists and then into contemporary. The whole way Annie gave me a patient (very patient) and thorough explanation of art. I also learned that much to my surprise, she doesn’t like Monet! ! Well it’s a good thing she’s so incredibly beautiful or that may have been a problem, as it was, we just agreed Van Gogh was wonderful and moved on.
Anyways, I had a fabulous time and I learned a lot (a testament both to Annie’s knowledge and teaching ability, as well as my complete lack of knowledge beforehand). After the museum (we met up outside with everyone at 5:00) it was dinner time. We spent a long time discussing, as groups over about 3 always do, and ended up not really deciding anything except that some of us were, in fact, going out to eat.
I’d been in Chicago once before and eaten at this fabulous Indian restraint called “Gaylord’s of Chicago”, and I kept piping in with that since no one else seemed to have a whole lot of ideas. We walked off into town, and Annie and I decided that we would just start leading to a hotel where we could ask directions to the restaurant. People followed for a while but then all of a sudden it happened again. They were gone! Well that was OK, we got the best one (Ryuko obviously ) and we managed to get directions and believe it or not, find the restaurant without a hitch.
It was absolutely splendid, just like I remembered, though I acted like a pig an had all of mine, about 3/5ths of Annie’s, and some of Ryuko’s, but hey, they said they were done!) Afterwards we headed back to the hotel, and as a coincidence, met with everyone waiting for the bus. Some slight incidents involving various people failing to find a restroom, but we got back and all was as it should be. What a great day.
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Actually, Hobbes, you were too quick! We called out after you and Annie, but gave up since you were a city block ahead of us and figured you were on your own.
I'm glad you found the restaurant, though! You rock!
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The reason Hobbes turned around and everyone was gone is that he and Annie and Ryuko crossed at the end of a red light; the rest of us stopped to wait for the light to change and discussed where we wanted to eat, and noticed -- by the time the light had changed -- that Hobbes and Annie had already covered a whole city block and were picking up speed. Rather than run to catch up with them, especially since some of us (note: not me) were skeptical about Indian food, we figured they obviously seemed happy enough on their own. *grin*
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Annie kept pointing out how far behind you guys seemed to be, I figure we could stay pretty far ahead since we did have to still find out where this place was. When you got far enough behind that even I figured we should stop and wait it appeared as if you'd crossed the street and where now stopped completely, so then I figured you weren't following anyways. Which I guess is close enough to the truth. Shame too, it was really great Indian food.