Deep dish pizza, polish sausage, Chris Farley, Steve Bartman, and Wrigley Field.
There really is a lot you could say about Chicago, so you can look at the tourism page for that info. However, it's truly mystifying to be at a ballpark like Wrigley Field.
For all the times you see it on television, the city and the field, things like the massive stadium entrance, the Sears Tower on the drive-in, and cranking "When The Levee Breaks" by Led Zeppelin around town are are apt combo.
Yet, you would expect a bit of that "you're lucky to be here" at Wrigley - after all, it's a lot like the attitude back home in Vancouver. And for that reason, Chicago is refreshing for its down-home humbleness.
Bars line the streets around Wrigley, and the bleachers look like one of those shots you see from the 1920's, with whole families dressed in suits and newsmen frantically writing down gametime details and statistics.
It's the holy grail of baseball, as far as I'm concerned, especially when you see left fielders slam into the ivy (which is backed by a solid brick wall). I know there's a whole lot of talk about the White Sox-Cubs rivalry, but to be quite honest I can understand if there is bitterness coming from the black-clad Southside. After all, I see no reason to believe the Chicago would be anything but a Cubs town.
Final Score: Cubs 3 Pirates 1
I personally was amused by the the Cubbies' theme song at the end, which was amazingly good ("Hey Chicago, what do you say? /// The Cubs are gonna win today!") until a shameless plug interrupts with, "You can catch it all on WGN /// GO CUBS GO!"
We stationed up at a hole-in-the-wall hotel, the Sheffield House. It's close-by, and there are absolutely no standards for quality, so you don't have to get worried about partying your face off and waking the neighbours. Especially when you stumble back at 4 a.m. in 30 degree weather with a stomach full of beer and Subway, and want nothing but a mattress. Nevermind... that didn't happen, Mom...
However, to respect the safety of all 10 boysies who have mothers, fathers, and loved ones back home... I really can't say too much about last night. Just watch "Animal House." And then, come here and find out for yourself.
P.S. The Dugout bar has a beer pong table. Do it...
UP NEXT: The Milwaukee Brewers and jumbo dill pickles
