SO, I had this huge post all typed up about our weekend and every little detail--then I pressed some stupid button and it deleted!!!! I took it as a sign that none of you wanted to read that crap anyway, so here is a better, more thoughtful post!
I had an interview today for a job and went to an insurance company to find us some new car insurance (expensive by the way!??!) and as I was driving, I was thinking about how much I loved our new big city life. When I tell people where we are from and that neither of us has ever lived in a city with a population over 20,000, I get some very surprised looks. Naperville is one of the biggest cities in Illinois (number 3 I think) and the valley area we live in has over half a million residents!!!!
When I travel, I like to keep a journal of everything I did on a daily basis, funny things that happened, and MOST importantly cultural things that "shocked" me. I decided today that I already have a list of shocking things I did not expect to become so mainstream in our new lives. Here is what I have compiled so far...
1. We have to leave earlier than ever to get places. And do not even think about timing "about" how long it takes to get somewhere. Luckily, there is a lot of stuff near our house so we do not have to venture too far, but when we do go somewhere, we have to leave SO much earlier than we ever would have before--just in case its busy!
2. Stores are everywhere--and in multiple locations! Like I said, we never have to venture too far because there is a lot around our neighborhood. So, if we are heading in a different direction than, say, Meijer, we just turn the other corner--AND BAM! There is another Meijer! Or Super Target, or Whole Foods, or Shopping Mall! It is amazing and so convenient. The store that is easiest to avoid because it is not close?! WALMART! We do not mind one bit because we have had our share of that store!
3. Rush hour and quiet cars. Twice this weekend, I went into Chicago by train. Twice this weekend, I returned at rush hour! I might be crazy! Actually, the fastest train back to Naperville is only at rush hour (a half hour trip compared to hour and ten minutes) so it the most convenient. There is also this crazy rule on that train about being quiet in certain train cars! And both times, I found the quiet cars--on accident. I now know to check for QUIET DURING RUSH HOUR signs!
4. Things are more expensive, and they like taxes! Tax rates are higher here--quite a bit higher. But, do not ask me how much because we still have not figured it out. I think they have different tax rates depending on the item, and Chicago has its own rate altogether. Also, we have noticed simple things in grocery stores and at chain restaurants are more expensive by $1-2. Good thing Ryan has a big boy job!
5. People lock up everything! We took a little time getting used to locking our doors because we never have really had to before and my truck as manual locks. Now, we have our bikes, house, vehicles, mailbox--you name it, it's locked!
One thing has not changed--people here are SO incredibly nice. They all want to know why we are here and all about my Master's program and our future plans. It has made us feel so welcome, even though we are not used to this living at all--and for that, I am very thankful.
Hope this post was a bit more intriguing than hearing all about our weekend! :) <3
No comments:
Post a Comment