We are in Chicago! After an uneventful flight to Los Angeles arriving BEFORE 5 am, we then took the 6 am flight to Chicago and checked into our hotel. It seems like the Arctic here, although I think the temperatures are in the upper 40s and low 50s.

Whenever we are in this city, we have two obligatory stops: at Crate and Barrel (Carl’s favorite housewares store) and at Filene’s Basement. Carl and I both bought shoes, and I found a great pair of leather gloves, regular price $89.99, which I bought for $9.99!

For dinner, we had a wonderful meal at Bijan’s, nearby our hotel. We found the local Hertz car rental which is conveniently across the street from our hotel. Tomorrow morning we’ll drive to Valparaiso, Indiana, where we’ll hear the Bach Collegium Japan.