Aurora And On To Our 1st Day In Chicago

Today's post is sponsored by Bip's Tyres

Hi Folks,

Well, so much for a quick bite to eat and a couple of beers in an Irish Bar.   Original idea was for four of us to have a healthy Subway meal and off to bed early.   But no, then six of us and a nominated driver are off to have a meal and two beers at the Irish Bar and then off to bed.   Don't know why we selected a nominated driver before we left if we were only going to have two beers.

Anyway, onto the Ballydoyle Irish Bar in beautiful downtown Aurora (Aurora being the Dandenong of Chicago).   Sat down for our first drink and ready to order our meals when the band started.   They were absolute crap and the volume was off the decibel meter.   Being lovers of such fine music, we immediately moved to the outside balcony overlooking the river/drain passing through the area.

After a fine meal of corned beef, cabbage and the obligatory carrots for any future discharges (we couldn't get the bangers and mash as they'd run out), it was into the beers.

After fours hours, it was off to do what all fine drunks would do, seek out a hamburger shop, kebab shop or somewhere where we could get some dim sims.   All closed at 1 am, so where do we end up, the24 hour ihop (International House of Pancakes).   Matthew, our waiter, was a great young man.   He even allowed us to call him Matty, something he told us only his Mommy could do.   Had a smile like Luna Park and thought the bigger the smile, the bigger our tip would be.

This place was heaven to Ronnie.   Two pancakes and three scoops of ice-cream with hot maple syrup.   On this occasion this wasn't even enough.  "Another two scoops of ice-cream please".   "You want MORE" said Matty.   "Yes', said Ron".   "But don't tell Sylvia".

Jeffsy made a pig of himself as usual, three pancakes with banana, scrambled eggs and bacon.   Note the two plates under what he's eating now.   One was his bacon and eggs and the other someone else's left overs he helped dispose of.   Captain Col calls him "The Magician.   Can make any amount of food disappear".

All up, we consumed about twenty pancakes and eleven scoops of ice-cream.

So, 1.30am and we were back at the hotel.   Five minutes later and Cirelli's off to sleep with his beloved iPad using his stomach as a trampoline. 

Up at 7.30 and off to Chicago.   We arrived in the Windy City at 11.15 to check into the Congress Plaza Hotel.   This hotel was built in 1893 and with various renovation over the years, now has 1000 rooms.   The rooms are big, but the place is a bit tired and could do with another make over.  The foyer was absolute chaos with people checking out and others trying to check in.   Could hardly move without tripping over a suitcase.

Got into our rooms at 12.30pm and rested up before going to the 'Million Dollar Quartet' Rock 'N' Roll Musical at the Apollo Theatre for the evening show.


This musical was about Sam Phillips and his Sun Studio, when on the 4th of December 1956 for the one and only time, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins got together in the one place.   Everyone loved the show, including Ron.   He once said he wouldn't go to anything where you were expected to applause.   Sylvia will have to take him to more musicals now.   Half an hour into the show, Jeffsy's 'take your pills' phone alarm went off much to the amusement of Hully.   However, there is Karma.   His phone started ringing shortly after. 

After the show we walked down the road to a local bar which was owed by a South Australian named Paul.   He'd come to Chicago for a 5 day holiday and decided to stay.   He was rapt in catching up with Australians and getting the low down on the football.   Only let down was that he barracked for the Adelaide Crows.

Doing the Chicago Grand Half Day Tour today, so more later.


Regards,
The DMTC