Night of 217
The night ended with a a great display of fireworks at Navy Pier.
It was the first fireworks in October for the countdown to Halloween!
We ran all the way from the internet cafe to get there by the time it started at 9pm and we weren't disappointed! Fireworks is always something i think..nah, what's that all about! But Greg loves them!!!! And this was fun.
We thought it'd be really crowded (which is why i usuallys stay away from them because the crowds send me nuts!) but this was really quite beautiful as they were sent up in time to music which rocked and rolled and the water looked peaceful and beautiful. The ferris wheel was all lit up, the stalls and Halloween acts were all quite magical, the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre was in progress, the cruises were in full force on the Lake and the atmoshere was quite magical.
I took a pic of Greg with a ghost bride dressed in black holding a baby in a hangman's noose! (!) (?) Halloween at it's best!
I love Navy Pier! It's a fun place to be. Never be at a loss of visuals there!
We finally arrived home after missing our train and it's not much fun being in Chicao at night i tell you..it's actually a bit confronting. All the beggars come out and we even had a guy hiss, 'Alien, Alien, Alien' as we walked by. At another stage a guy said, "I'm not a robberrrrrr...." when we didn't acknowledge him..and his rattling tin!
We were meant to be at the Airport before midnight to catch the shuttle (the only downfall of this motel, it's not a 24 hour shuttle service!) but the guy came and got us as 6 young girls had already booked him to come. Thank goodness.
Walking the streets to where we're staying wouldn't have been an option..and there didn't seem to be any cabs about...everyone must go home after midnight!
The driver of the free shuttle sang to us all the way home.............
And then announced his tip price!
These bloody tips...where do they begin and end?
I guess American's get used to it..and it's their custom. But i'm wondering if everyone is on the bandwagon! Tour guides, free hotel shuttle drivers (isn't the shuttle free?) Everyone who thinks they can get away with it, will, and do...and they don't mind asking for it either.
I think the locals have their rules. Tip before tax, not tour guides because they get paid well, not at fast food outlets because they aren't waiting at a table etc
Waiters and waitresses are definitely deserving and it's 'their' customary earning, because they do earn low wages and are tipped to make it up. It's accepted.
Weird custom for other's to accept.
But we soon get told how to address it!!!!
And, after a while, it's OK.
I wonder if we're getting Americanised! haha
