Frigid

Frigid loves to travel; his most recent trip was to Chicago (Glen Ellyn to be precise), to see a friend. Their adventures began soon after he landed at O’Hare, when his friend took him to the nearby Leaning Tower of Niles. The replica of Italy’s famous statue is around half the size of the original, and was built in 1934 as a utility tower to store water (who knew utility towers could be so classy).


They then headed to another local landmark, the McDonald’s Museum. The Museum is a replica of the first McDonald’s franchise, which opened in 1955. Sadly it was closed so he could only admire the “authentic” 1950s restaurant from the outside. There is a new McDonald’s open across the way where hungry visitors can grab a bite to eat, but Frigid had already spotted a Costco so they went there for a treat instead (frozen yogurt, of course).


His second day in Chicago revolved around numerous treats (his kind of day). Frigid’s first stop, a required one on any trip to Chicago, was El Taconazo, in the Pilsen neighborhood (he really, really misses good Mexican food in DC). He loved his tasty sope con rajas y queso, which he washed down with horchata, and couldn’t stop nibbling on the totopos and salsa (the green was his favorite). With their bellies full Frigid and his friend headed to the National Museum of Mexican Art, where they perused the exhibition Translating Revolution – US Artists Interpret Mexican Muralists, and hit the fabulous gift shop.


After getting his fill of the Mexican it was time for some Northern European. Frigid and his friend first stopped by Lincoln Square, home to Chicago’s German-American festival, for a bit of German. Frigid was not, however, too impressed; besides the large German/Eastern European grocery store there was little of note. He considered picking up some Lithuanian bubbly, as he likes to try bubbly from as many different places as possible, but decided against it upon discovering that the only options were sweet and semi-sweet.


Frigid was much more impressed with his taste of Sweden in the Andersonville neighborhood. There he perused various cute shops, checked out the yummy offerings at the farmers market, and learned all about immigration in the Swedish American Museum.


Frigid's final destination of the day was Julius Meinl, his favorite Austrian export and another required stop on any trip to Chicago. There he had yet another treat, the always divine Topfenstrudel, which he washed down with Meinl’s excellent coffee (iced due to the steamy day).


On the final day of Frigid’s visit he and his friend opted to skip the city, and instead drove to the charming town of Geneva (despite its name also home to various things Swedish, as well as some very, very friendly people).


Frigid enjoyed shopping in the cluttered antique shops and interesting furniture stores, and of course couldn’t leave without trying a treat (a white chocolate raspberry truffle cupcake - one of the tastiest he's ever had - at The Latest Crave).


He managed not to go too crazy with the shopping, but as usual it was a struggle getting his suitcase to close. It might just be time to upgrade to a bigger bag (and, of course, to plan the next trip).