Thanksgiving Chill Diary｜Day 1-2 ❄️

I chosec Kansas City for Thanksgiving mainly because my mom’s close friend lives there and has helped me a lot. I decided to take this opportunity to visit her, experience life in a different city, enjoy some rural vibes, and recharge before finals! Day 1 Arrived at MCI Airport at noon on Wednesday. First stop: the famous Jack Stack BBQ. The portions were huge—the "Pick Three" combo could easily feed three people (we chose pork ribs, lamb ribs, and beef burnt ends). The mains were decent, but my favorite was actually the creamed corn! My mom’s friend also loved the salad pairing. In the afternoon, we explored the Union Station and Crown Center. KC was once a major railroad hub in the Midwest, and the grandeur of the station still reflects that. Now, the building houses shops, exhibits, and even a Christmas-themed display—perfect for kids! Crown Center is a shopping/office complex with food courts, clothing stores, and lots of running children 😂. The Hallmark Headquarters nearby has a cute museum too. All these spots are connected by indoor walkways, making it easy to explore even in cold/rainy weather! Day 2 No trip is complete without a run! I logged 18k along Indian Creek Trail—perfect for running with gentle slopes, diverse scenery, and lush vegetation. The novelty kept me energized for 70+ minutes, but the cold was brutal: frozen shoe soles, numb cheeks, and numb fingers every time I checked my phone 🥶 (maybe the numbness made the run feel easier lol). After the run, we wandered near the KC Convention Center. Then—since it was Thanksgiving—the highlight was smoked turkey and BBQ! I was thrilled to see the smoker and grill in action. The turkey turned from pale to golden brown in the smoker, and the grill needed gasoline to ignite (so dramatic!). We grilled veggie skewers, salmon, and lamb. Charcoal-grilled food definitely beats pan-cooked—better flavor and that perfect crispy surface! In the evening, we attended the Country Club Plaza Lighting Ceremony. The entire street was packed! Live music and acrobatics led up to the countdown at 7 PM, when all the building lights lit up simultaneously—spectacular! With energetic music and cheering crowds, it felt even livelier than downtown Chicago last year 😆. #AmericanLife #StudyInUS #Thanksgiving #Travel #USATravel #TravelGuide #KansasCity #MyDailyLife