The trip was okay, a few ups and downs, but for flying standby, getting there by flight was the easy part. Since I couldn’t schedule an appointment for the afternoon, I was stuck with an interview time of 10 am Wednesday. And since I was unable to find a flight to Chicago before 10am and also with enough time to get downtown, I had to fly in Tuesday night. This wasn’t too bad I just had to be flexible. My problems didn’t begin until I reached the blue line to get downtown.
Being the smart and prepared individual I am, I googled directions to and from the airport and my hotel. I just had to take the blue line to Forest Park and then walk to Chicago/Milwaukee st. to catch a bus that will take me within 2-3 blocks of my hotel, which I would have to walk. It’s only a 5 minute walk—I can handle that! I’m sitting on the subway; I’m starting to get antsy. Ultimately, I just really wanted to get to my hotel and get settled. Maybe even go to the local pub and grab some food and a drink. This didn’t really happen. Since I’m so smart I took the train all the way to the end because that is what my directions said. I was supposed to take the train to Forest Park and then walk to Chicago/Milwaukee. Following the directions I wrote down, I get off at Forest Park. I walk down to catch this bus. Mind you, the whole time I’m thinking, “why is this train so empty and why is there no one outside and why is it so dark – I’M SUPPOSE TO BE DOWNTOWN.
I get off the train, make my way outside to find one employee of CTA (Chicago Transit Authority), THANK GOD, and about three other people just standing around. I ask the CTA employee where I catch the bus. He looks at me weirdly, almost like he already knew I was lost and I should not be at Forest Park, and says, “Where are you trying to go?” I tell him to my hotel downtown. His eyes widen and he says, “you’re not even downtown.” CORRECTION: My directions said take the train towards Forest Park and get off at Chicago Street. My tired brain was apparently not registering anything correctly. I eventually made it downtown and to my hotel by midnight. I checked email and then went to bed.
Shout outs:
CTA employee - helped me figure out I was not in the correct location and for that I made the last train into the city.
Lesbian couple on Chicago/Milwaukee - guided me to the correct bus stop.
Girl I met at Korean Consulate going to the same city - hopefully we will meet up!
Woman at bus stop outside of NBC Tower - thanks for all of your help getting back to the blue line!
My homegirls at O'Hare gate B11 - thanks forgetting me on that flight to MN! Otherwise I would have been home really really late.
No shout out for you! Work on your people skills:
Man who pointed to the NBC tower when I asked if he know what building it was - you could have at least smiled or made eye contact.
Guy on phone in Korean Consulate - if you're in any type of office, don't speak on your cell, especially if you're just "catching up." Go to the fucking hall.
People at O'Hare gate B11 - If you're in a line, it's not okay to just come up and bypass everyone else in line. The employees can only handle one person at a time, so wait your turn. Also, there was no need to be rude with these women, they were doing the best they could with ten people yelling at them. They're employees of an airport not God.
My apologies:
Secretary at Korean Consulate - I'm sorry I couldn't hear/understand you. It wasn't because of your accent, it was the guy behind me who was speaking loud as hell on his phone.
English guy on blue line - I'm so sorry for popping my gum. Sometimes I don't even realize I'm doing that. Also, if I had the chance to enter a gum popping contest, I now would thanks to your encouraging words.
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