Trip Report on Magic Mirror's Chicago Wedding!

Ella Mae

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After getting off the carriage ride we try to wander by Macy's and look at all the famous, animated christmas displays in the windows, but there were so many people it was really impossible to get close enough to see anything. I did get to see one and grab a picture and there was an amazingly talented group of young men playing drums on plastic buckets who I enjoyed listening to immensely.

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So then we went into Macy's.. to the magical 7th floor in the Walnut Room and the lovely Macy's Christmas Tree.

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After gazing at the Macy's tree we made our way to the Kriskringle German Market...this market features authentic German beer, wine, food, ornaments, cuckoo clocks, and more.

The carriage driver had warned us to be careful of pick pocket pro's .. and once we got to the market, it was easy to see why. People were jammed into the square, shoulder to shoulder, most of them very drunk, the lines to the stores too long to even think about getting in line...we pretty much just pushed our way thru from one end to the exit at the other end.

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After exiting the market, my hopes of apple strudel and gluhwein were gone... I did notice a single row of market booths which had very few people around them. I remembered reading about the one in an article so I walked up to take a better look.

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We bought the Almond Tortillons- oh my gosh! They were awesome!
Soft, flaky yet crispy, buttery, with almond... I wish I would have bought more.

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We started back towards our hotel..taking our time and enjoying the unique store front displays along the way.

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We also came across a group of musicians playing on a street corner... they sounded really good but now that I listen to the recording I made, they don't sound quite as good as they did in "the moment" ! I guess the ambiance and the
"moment" really do have something to do with how you interpret music

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We went back to the hotel, warmed up the leftovers (the boys wanted more ribs!) and munched on food.
Then we took up our positions at the window to admire the views and hold our first official meeting of the
"HRPC" (high rise peepers club).

I had brought several large gallon and quart size ziploc bags with as I figured we would have extra food from Weber's.
I was able to take the left over chicken, ribs and cornbread and make up three packages complete with dishes, silverware,
napkins.

We had noticed a large amount of homeless people on Michigan Ave. It used to be if you saw one or two with a sign asking for food it was a lot. This trip there was easily ten. I am a bit cynical of these people, only because our local "homeless" were debunked in an undercover operation to be far from homeless and certainly "not in need". So its always hard to know-are they truly homeless or are they ripping people off? Besides from the cardboard signs with the homeless on the street..I saw something I have never seen before in my trips to Chicago. I saw people sleeping in the shadow and corners of buildings. No signs, not asking for help, but obviously homeless and in need.

So we took the three bags of food and I sent the boys down to the street to find those we had seen curled up in the darkness and offer them food. Brian said he had been told once that there is a certain 'code' amongst the homeless that if you offer them help or food, they will want to trade you something for it. I don't know how true this is- but they were able to pass out the food and all of those who took it did offer a trade (which of course, was refused).

It certainly was a better solution than throwing out all that food.

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We eventually turned in and I was feeling pretty sick.. I had another sleepless night and the next morning we checked out and took the train home. I went back to the doctor Tuesday and have officially graduated up to bronchitis and laryngitis so I'm off the rest of this week sick. I still have a few other random photo's and videos to post. Thank you ! for all your support and encouragement for our wedding - it warms my heart

I debated on contacting our vendors about the issues we had experienced. I don't like being the bridezilla or the complainer-but after thinking about it I decided to email the positives as well as the negatives about our experience with them.

Weber Grill-(food cold, had to return to get our drinks) They have responded kindly and also have indicated they are sending us a gift card so we may have dinner on them next time we are in town.

Comfort Suites-(problems with Sales Director/needs for our wedding) I have emailed the General Manager with no response-tomorrow if I haven't heard from them I will forward it to the parent company.

Molly's Cupcakes-(wrong cupcake)- I emailed them and received a 'thanks we will make sure to do better next time' - I responded letting them know I didn't think that was sufficient considering the situation.

Carriage Ride-(carriage obviously too small for 6 people) I emailed them, no reply, no other place to take complaint other than Better Business Bureau

Ambulances run constant in Chicago- I'd hate to navigate that traffic

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Going on my third week of being sick....ended up with stomach virus too... started a third set of meds today.....I officially cancelled Christmas...called my family today and bowed out......too worn down and dont want to chance getting anyone else sick.....I have more pictures of what we got at the Disney Store ....hoping to post tomorrow!