Keeping a blog updated while being on the road is really
hard; never mind the fact that we’re currently doing one week spots which means
we teardown and set-up every week. I can’t complain though, I like being busy
cause that’s when time flies.
Our unit has split into two smaller units and we’re
currently at our fifth spot as a split unit (at the time the blog was written; now we're not split anymore) and tenth spot as a carnival (at the time it was written; currently at our 14th spot). We’ve
been playing spots around the Chicago area for the past month or so.
The first spot after Burlington, Wisconsin, was Orland Park,
Illinois. (The other unit went to Waukegan). The spot itself was ok, but what
made it really awesome was the opportunity to see Chicago. There was a train
station right where we stayed, so catching the train was really easy. The train
ride alone was really exciting for me since we don’t really have trains in
South Africa; at least not ones like they have here. It was a Metra train and
looked exactly like the one in Source Code, it was insane.
Orland Park - this lake was man-made and it was massive!
Being in Chicago was amazing. It’s one of the most beautiful
cities to explore and it is massive. I’m not a big city person, I like nature
and quiet, but there is something truly spectacular about a city like Chicago.
One thing that adds to its allure, is the river that runs right through it.
Without the river, it probably wouldn’t have been as stunning as it is. There
are a few buildings that are definitely something to look at and then there’s also Buckingham Fountain, The
Bean at Millenium Park, Crown Fountain and Navy Pier. Not to mention a boat
ride on the river. You get the Architectural tours and then just a plain water
taxi which is what we took as a ‘tour’ up the river to get back to Union
Station to catch the train.
The train - the inside is exactly like the movie Source Code!
Chicago River
Barnes & Noble
The Train
Comic Book store!
Skyscrapers
Newspaper stands
Chicago Tribune
Buckingham Fountain
The Bean
Navy Pier
Water Taxi's / Boats
The spot after Orland Park, was Oak Lawn, Illinois (the
other unit was in Wheaton). We played at a Catholic Church parking lot. The
space wasn’t massive, but it was a busy carnival. This spot wasn’t that
exciting for me, but I made another trip to Chicago the first day we got there.
I met up with my boyfriend and some of his friends who were with the other unit
at another spot. Again seeing Chicago was amazing. I wouldn’t mind going back
again!
The next spot was Franklin Park for a festival called
Railroad Daze (the other unit was in Gary, Indiana). This carnival was held on
the street and it was actually really nice, but the town itself was strange.
All the shops around there were Mexican and that’s really weird to see in the northern
parts of America. Actually, it’s surprising how many towns we go to have
Mexican shops.
The next spot was Munster, Illinois (the other unit was in
Schererville); also at a Catholic Church (we play quite a few Catholic
Churches). By this time I’m hardly keeping track of time. I barely distinguish
one spot from the next these days! But it wasn’t a bad spot except that the
police closed us down the Sunday because the crowd got out of hand. It was
super busy!
Had a good 'braai' on our off day when we got to Munster
A kind-of big storm passed buy during work the one day
Then we ventured to Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois, but since we were still split as a carnival, I worked in Western Springs with the 2nd unit - about twenty minutes away - but our bunkhouses were at Toyota Park which is in Bridgeview. The week went by really fast and when we play these
one week spots, there’s really no time to explore anything. The hours are long
and you’re too tired to do anything when you have an afternoon off. Well at least I am!
Sunset at Toyota Park
Arlington Heights, Illinois, came next. The festival was called Frontier Days and it was kinda really big. We stayed about forty minutes from the spot at Dupage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton. So the drive, together with the long hours, made this spot very exhausting. But honestly still fun! My birthday was Friday the 4th of July which is Independence day in the States and even though we worked super hard that day, the people at work still made it fun and got me a cake and some gifts. And what made it even more special was the roses and the necklace I got from Alex (the best boyfriend a girl could ask for). This was also the last spot where our unit was split in two.
Birthday gift from Alex
At work on my birthday
We stayed at the Dupage County Fairgrounds - this is a big storm that passed over
Our next spot was Glendale Heights, Illinois. This spot wasn't too bad; the Laundromat was around the corner and things were just kind of around the corner. It also felt good to be back together and to have all the rides in one spot again.
Sunset at Glendale Heights
Overcast day
Stole this picture from someone who rode the Ferris Wheel
Amazing fireworks!
In the end I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of Illinois; mainly because of the bad weather. It rains very often and when it does, it pours. (Refer to my blog post US Diaries: Florida - you'll find I really don't like rain). We have moved on to Indiana and there'll be more about that soon-ish!
