Chicago Adventures: Tattoos, Museums, and Unexpected Turns
Chicago never fails to surprise me, and this visit was no exception. What began as a quest to secure our Chinese visas quickly spiraled into an adventure packed with mishaps, mac and cheese (with pork belly, of course), and a tattoo convention that stretched the limits of my creative inspiration.
The Visa Quest
Our trip kicked off with a two-and-a-half-hour drive into downtown Chicago, guided by the little dot on our GPS. When we arrived, the absence of signs or flags left us questioning whether we’d landed at the Chinese Consulate or just another anonymous office building behind a Subway. After a few loops around the block and a failed attempt to consult a cop, we finally parked and entered the lobby—a tall, plain space where you could catch glimpses of the other floors above.
Inside, a woman in uniform asked us if we were there for the Consulate and promptly sent us outside to wait in the cold. After an hour shivering in line, we were at last allowed inside, only to sign in, ride an elevator to the fourth floor, and join yet another queue. The final hurdle? A metal detector and a request for a paper with a barcode. No barcode, no entry—regardless of what the website claimed about appointments. Our mission abruptly ended there; the elusive barcode had bested us.
Villain Arts Tattoo Convention
With our visa plans dashed, we had time to kill before the tattoo convention opened at 2 p.m. We wandered down to Navy Pier, enjoyed a leisurely lunch, snapped some photos, and waited out the hours. Rich—ever the hotel master—found us a great deal just a block from the convention center, although we couldn’t check in until 4 p.m. At least we scored a $28 parking garage for the night, which felt like a minor victory.
When doors finally opened at the Rosemont Convention Center, the sheer scale was staggering: over 400 artists packed into rows, each offering a dizzying array of styles. Performers entertained the crowds with suspension acts, fire breathing, sword swallowing, and circus feats. We explored, inspected tattoo options, and sampled mac and cheese—Rich’s with smoked gouda and pork belly, mine with spicy pimento and pork belly. Both were delicious and, frankly, excessive.
Eventually, inspiration struck. I chose Hard Life Style Tattoo, drawing from Chicago’s history: the first World’s Fair, the legacy of H.H. Holmes, and the iconic Ferris wheel at Navy Pier. My new ink—a burning Ferris wheel with the fair in the background—captured the city’s spirit and its storied past.
Richie, initially uncertain about getting a tattoo, was convinced by Giovani’s promise to work quickly. He braved the ordeal, ending up with a striking microphone tattoo topped with a skull, strategically covering an old piece. Despite the pain, the result was beautiful, with barely any scabbing.
Exploring the Field Museum
Day two brought us to the Field Museum. It had been years since my last visit, and I’d forgotten how massive it truly was—it took nearly five hours to see it all. The exhibits ranged from single-celled organisms to taxidermized lions and woolly mammoths. One highlight was the actual lion from “The Ghost and the Darkness,” which famously terrorized railway workers in Tsavo, Kenya in 1898. Seeing the lion’s enormous form made the legends feel real.
The Evolving Planet Exhibit dazzled with thousands of creatures, but it was Dinosaur Hall that stole my heart. “Sue,” the largest, most complete Tyrannosaurus rex fossil in the world, stood in all her glory, magnificent as ever. The Ancient Egypt exhibit was less impressive—many pieces missing for refurbishment—but wandering through the halls still brought a sense of discovery.
Lake Michigan and Willis Tower
After leaving the museum, we found a frozen margarita stand—mango was the only flavor left, which wasn’t my favorite, but the birria tacos more than made up for it. Richie’s margarita came served in half a pineapple, and we settled in to enjoy the sunny 80-degree weather overlooking Lake Michigan. The rolling hills teemed with frisbee players, dogs chasing balls, and families soaking in the spring sun. Parking was free, another lucky break.
Our last stop was Willis Tower, formerly the Sears Tower. Hoping for a sunset view from the Skydeck, we found the time slot sold out. Once you are granted entry, you walk through a series of rooms that explain Chicago’s diverse history. One room is in the shape of a subway car, another – the story of the damn breaking, and yet another – the iconic photo of Jordan slamming from midcourt. Still, nighttime Chicago was stunning—city lights twinkling just like on TV. The elevator shot us up 103 stories in 60 seconds, a fitting finale for our whirlwind weekend.
Finally, we hit the road and made the two-and-a-half-hour drive home, hearts full and stories ready to share. Until next time, Chicago.