As I manoeuvred myself and carryon luggage to sit in the emergency exit row I heard, "I just have to ask how old you are."
"I'm 26."
Surrounding passengers laughed while the flight attendant responded with an apologetic, "Oh..."
You see, you're supposed to be at least 15 to be able to sit in the emergency exit row. The questioning of my age came before I ate my packed lunch. I chowed down the sandwich minus the crust and then sucked on a lollipop I'd scored from the hotel reception in Boston.
Samantha and I were headed to Milwaukee, with extra leg room thanks to an emergency exit row.
The journey was going so well... until we reached Chicago. We lugged our suitcases down a couple of flights of stairs, across snow and through two train stations all while dealing with wind and -13 degrees celcius. I was simultaneously sweaty from the lifting and dragging, while also concerned that my face would fall off from frostbite. It was during this leg of my adventures I most resented my two large suitcases, carryon and backpack. Perhaps if there'd been a lift or escalator at the first train station and I didn't have to yell out to get a worker to unlock a giant gate then get him to mind my bags at the top while I carried my luggage down to the ground level one at a time, my resentment wouldn't have been so strong.
To save money our journey from Boston to Milwaukee looked like this.
1) Bus from hotel in Boston to airport - FREE!
2) Plane to Chicago airport - $42
3) Train from Chicago airport to another train station - $3
4) Longest 10 min walk (in -13 degrees celcius) from one train to the next train station.
5) Train from Chicago to Milwaukee - $25
6) Car ride to Kyra's place.
I feel pretty qualified for the Amazing Race now.
Samantha and I were ready for step 5, but Amtrak had other ideas.
We heard there'd been an accident and were deeply concerned, but then came the news another train hit an unoccupied train and we burst into laughter. Apparently by step 5 transport delays had become hilarious.
Eventually we reached Kyra's house and I experienced a new lifetime low.
Aside from the temperature, the only way out of my warmest coat was to cut the zipper. Thankfully there was a plate of cookies to console me.
The next morning we admired the snow and I noticed the lack of fences.
I was pretty excited to be in the snow while it was snowing for the first time.
The only other time I've seen it snowing was for about 2 minutes in New York and the only coverage at the time was a square metre of snow we stumbled upon.
Back to Wisconsin - Kyra and I frolicked in the fresh powder.
Then it was time to experience the Milwaukee Art Museum.
From large trowels
to beer.
This place had it all.
(That man is a statue.)
There was even a little Lichtenstein
and stunning views of an icy Lake Michigan.
Kyra provided a driving tour of her campus - UWM.
That night Samantha and I were treated to a home cooked meal provided by Mom Nowacki and a couple of brandy old fashioneds by Dad Nowacki.
Kyra tells me these are only made on special occasions. No doubt, my visit to Milwaukee was the special occasion.
In the next blog post you'll get to read all about what Chicago is like when it's not -13 degrees celcius.
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