September 10, 2025

San Carlos, CA > Chicago, IL

It begins early this morning with a 07:00 flight from SFO to Chicago. Normally an alarm doesn’t need to be set, but last night one was – just in case. Turns out that was a good thing. The watch started vibrating at 04:15, the time of the alarm.

The suitcase was all packed, it was just a matter of getting dressed and getting on the move. Just before 05:00 the Uber app was opened and a ride to SFO was ordered. Unfortunately, while tracking the car and driver it turns out he was headed away from San Carlos not towards it. Cancel that request and put in a new one.

The second request worked better. The driver was just four minutes away, and they were headed the right direction. The driver pulled into the Comfort Inn parking lot just after it has gone 05:05. A few minutes later and we were headed the the right direction towards SFO.

This is a short two-night trip, so no checked bag. Boarding pass on the phone, TSA approved, and facial recognition engaged. Straight thru to security. A minute later bag on conveyor and through the scanner. Grab bag and head to the Gate. It hadn’t even gone 06:00 and the gate is within sight.

Stopped for a cappuccino at one of the local shops. It wasn’t even half bad. Heading towards the gate when oops, left the cane behind. Back and get the cane and head to the gate. Still fifteen minutes before pre-boarding. Plopped down and did a little people watching.

Looks like it is going to be a full flight. Hope that the mother and several month-old crying and fussy child is further back in the plane. Most the people are young, but then at this point who isn’t young? Finally, they call for pre-boarding and it is off to stand in line.

A few minutes later and it is down the ramp and onto the plane. Row 4 Seat F at the window. Bag in the over-head compartment, purse under the seat and it is good night. Yes, before the plane pulled away from the gate the sheep were being counted.

It was almost an hour into the flight when the flight attendant decided it was time to tell me what was pre-ordered for breakfast. Then it took him a half hour to bring it. Cheese omelette and sausages. Left the hash browns behind. Did chow down on the yogurt. Returned the tray and returned to counting sheep.

Welcome to O’Hare international airport outside of Chicago. We’re thirty minutes early. We’re going to sit here on the tarmac and wait because there is a plane at our gate and thus there is nowhere to go. Ok, the gates ready, let’s taxi for twenty minutes towards the terminal and see if we can find our gate.

Oh yes, there is major construction happening at O’Hare. It started three weeks ago with the construction of a 1.5-mile-long tunnel to redirect stormwater. Once that is completed, they will start on the construction of a new $1.3 billion Concourse D. IT is all part of a major capital plan to modernize the airport. Either that or a major way to get people to fly to some other airport. One can see the construction everywhere.

Blacklane sends a message that the ride into the city is ready. Through the airport with a quick pit stop, then out the door and to the waiting area. Text the driver the terminal and door number. A few minutes later we are on our way into the city. The driver says it will be about forty-five minutes before we get to the hotel. The traffic in the other direction looks really bad.

However, we do arrive just about forty-five minutes after leaving the airport. Check-in time is 16:00. It has just gone 15:00. Go through the check in procedure, after a bit of hassle because of the use of Mary’s Bonvoy number, and there being two rooms for Harry Falk. Gotta get the Bonvoy number thing fixed so it shows both our names.

Once that is all straightened out, it is into the lobby to find a comfortable seat. Text Harry V and let him know that I have arrived at the hotel. No sooner than that communication was made, that a text from the hotel was received that the room was ready.

Ok, but which room? Mine for two nights or V’s for one night? Now they can’t find either reservation. Look under Mary! Oh, here it is. Well, the room for one night is available. Take the key and head up to Room 3616. An easterly facing room, towards the lake and over looking Michigan Ave.

Just as V shows up, it turns 16:00. I head down to the front desk to see if my room is ready. Oh yes, it is. Then it is back up to V’s room, grab the bags and head down to the 30th floor and Room 3033, a westerly facing room looking down West Ohio Street. Not the prettiest vein, but it is a city so not too bad.

We go over V’s Italian Passport application all seems in order. We meet at 17:30 to walk to Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse. It is literally across the street and in the next block down. The Resturant is really nice. Of course no one is there at this hour of the day but that is ok. V orders steak tar tar and a bone in rib eye with a side of shrimp. I order the New York Strip and Brussels sprouts. Harry wants to hold off on the wine, not wanting to tempt fait a week before his birthday.

Dinner was very good. After dinner we walk back to the hotel to get our rest in preparation for the interview tomorrow. V has some homework to do, and I am still catching up on my blog.

Buonanotte e Ciao,

Enrico