Chicago Notes – City Strolls and Delicious Food

There are many ways to get to know a city, including wandering its streets and sharing meals with old friends. As a visitor to a big city, it’s almost a must to explore its bustling commercial districts, even though I haven’t gone shopping in Beijing for at least ten years 😁. Thus, my Window Shopping adventure along the Magnificent Mile began. The Chinese translation of "Magnificent Mile" is simply brilliant—it captures the essence perfectly. Starting from my accommodation, I walked east along the Chicago River for four or five blocks to reach the boat dock. From there, I turned north and entered the shopping street. The entire street was lined with international brands, both familiar and unfamiliar to me. For the ultra-luxury ones, I stuck to Window Shopping and just admired the signs. I ventured into a few more accessible stores 🤭. Unsurprisingly, I saw a long queue outside the world’s largest flagship Starbucks, and out of curiosity, I sneaked into a Pop Mart store to take a look and snap some photos. I was also surprised to find that Victoria’s Secret has a physical store 😁. I even stepped into Ralph Lauren , exploring all three floors, pretending to be calm and collected while secretly feeling overwhelmed by the luxury—even though it’s not the most high-end brand—and eventually made a hasty exit 😅. The historic Water Tower and nearby church added charm to the commercial street. The lush green monstera leaves, blooming autumn chrysanthemums, and tall yellow maple trees perfectly complemented the city’s autumn beauty. Later that afternoon, under the warm sun, I was lucky enough to meet up with an old friend and colleague in Chicago. We headed to River Roast on the other side of the river to try some New American cuisine . She taught me a fun fact: the Soup of the Day is like opening a "mystery box"—no one knows what it is until the chef serves it 😁. I think I tasted chunks of chicken, the satisfying burst of water-soaked barley, and the rich aroma of cheese—absolutely delicious 😋. We also enjoyed tomato bisque with mussels, applewood-smoked roast chicken, and avocado shrimp and crab mousse on bread. Along with a new friend, the three of us chatted and feasted to our hearts’ content. The new friend even shared tips on booking tickets for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and nearby antique shops, adding even more fun to the day. The world is vibrant and colorful. No matter your age, approaching life with curiosity is a way to give it meaning. #LifeRecording #EveryDayMatters #BeautifulEncounters #EverydayLife #Travel