The conference has been good but busy. Have met new friends and business acquaintances and had some fun, like the picnic and campfire last night. More meetings today and some resort tours.

Then I have to figure out how I am going to get to Madison tomorrow for the flight home to Cancun. It is nice to travel and nice to return home.

Pics at http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/571663859wumwvP

After a nice relaxing train ride from Chicago, I arrived in the Dells around 6 p.m. Nice area, Reminds me of a less developed Gatlinburg. Hotel is quaint with a western, Native American theme. When they told me room service would take 2 hours, I went down and bought a sandwich and soup at a little sandwich bar they have. The only other options were a buffet and a super expensive Steak restaurant with obscene prices. This isn’t Paris folks!

Only a few people had already arrived. I had left 5 in Chicago and they were waiting on a shuttle. I preferred the train where you can walk, sit in the sightseeing car, go to the bathroom and get food and drink anytime you want without having to stop at a Stuckey’s. (Do they still have those?)

Some of the first I met were from South Africa and the UK–both of whom had had reservations about traveling to the States as the EU has issued the same travel alert advising against non-essential travel to Mexico AND the U.S. When we met they gave me the crossed finger sign and I showed them what the “elbow bump” is. Instead of kissing or shaking hands, you just bump elbows to avoid spreading germs. This started in Mexico and I would guess has spread to Europe where kissing and hugging are also popular.

Well enough of the virus for now. I need to get ready for the all-day Board meeting that starts at 10 a.m.

Like everyone, I am listening to all of the news–probably too much news–about the swine flu or H1N1. I think it is all overblown and will become another flash in the pan as many of these virus things have been. In the meantime, having the W.H.O. talk about “Humanity Under Threat” does nothing but promote fear and ruin lives and the world economy. But they do have to cover their ass and make their presence seem worthwhile.

As for me, I am off in a bit to Union Station to catch a train to the Wisconsin Dells for a Tourism-related conference. I have never been to the Dells before and look forward to it.

Another great day in Chicago. Went to buy the 2 Bears caps that I had to buy. Had more work than usual today.  Friends arrived and we went to visit and snack with a friend of one of those friends on the 67th floor of the Hancock Building. What a view!! Actually up in the clouds!

Then off with the friends for a walk around the Magnificent Mile area with a stop at an authentic Chicago Italian restaurant and deep-dish pizza. Left the others at a bar and came back to the hotel to rest. Another great day to be grateful for!

I actually felt like doing nothing and had to actively fight that since a cold front flew in and this is the “Windy City.”  I decided I needed to go to the Field Museum. A taxi would have been great with the cold and wind but I decided I needed the exercise and it is only about a mile and a half.

It was a cold walk but I made it. The Museum was great and you can see the pictures at the link Updated Chicago Links .

The walk back against the wind was even more envigorating! After a little nap, it was on to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s presentation of Brahms’ First Symphony after a little Mahler with a great soloist. Then back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep.

Well, there was a change of plans due mostly to the pain in my legs–legs that have not walked so much in a long time. I have got to get back on the treadmill!

So, I decided in a short jaunt of only a couple of miles from the hotel over to and around Navy Pier. It was very nice but must be nicer when it is not cold, windy and rainy. Most carnet-type activities and shops are still closed. I would have liked to try the fried dough! And maybe even ridden the ferris wheel.

Then it was back to the hotel to just relax. While relaxing, I received a Twitter invite from a Chicago event tweeter announcing a free concert at the cultural center. Since the Cultural Center is only a few blocks from the hotel inside the Chicago Library I decided to go. It started at 7 p.m. The artist was Carmen Souza, a young lady from Portugal who sings and plays Cape Verdean-style music. She was accompanied by 3 musicians on drums, guitar and piano. She sings well but I left early as it is just my kind of music and I was tired as well.

Today I will either go to the Field Museum and Planetarium or do nothing. This evening I have a ticket for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performance of Brahms #1 which starts at 7:30.

I will keep this brief since if I elaborate with everything I did and felt I will never finish. You will see why. A fantastic day!
1.- Left hotel at about 9 a.m. wandering through Millenium and Grant Park while waiting for the Art Institute to open at 10.
2.- A couple of wonderful hours with occasional involuntary gasps of pleasure visiting with the Impressionists and other European artists.
3.- A Walk along Lakeshore Dr. and up along the Magnificent mile with a disappointing encounter with chopped BEEF liver at a deli where I was expecting chopped chicken liver. You would have thought at my age I would have learned about those pesky expectations by now. So a no to the beef and then to next door to lemon chicken!
4.- By the Art Institute is the Concert Hall where I found information that led (after a small nap) to attending the 8 p.m. FREE Civic Orchestra (Symphony “trainees”–maybe second chairs would be better) concert last night with Don Juan by Strauss and Dvorzack’s #8. Bought tickets for Tuesday’s Symphony performance of Brahm’s #1.
5.- After a day of both physical (walking about 10 miles) and cultural extremes, it was back to the hotel for dinner and collapse.
6.- Link to pics for those with time: Chicago Photos
Life is good.

Due to storms in the Chicago area, the flight from Cancun to Chicago had to divert to St. Louis for fuel before continuing to circle until given clearance to land but not bad. Arrived only about 3 hours later than scheduled. On the way to the hotel, since it has been 40 years or so since I have been here and have it idealized, I had forgotten how there are areas that are not ideal. Into the Fairmont, dinner and to bed.

Today the plan is to head out walking with targets of Millenium Park, the Art Institute and maybe Teavana.

Tomorrow I leave for Chicago for a few R & R days and meeting other members of the Board of Directors of a trade association of which I am a VP. Have not been to Chicago for many years.

As a child I went many times with parents and even great grand folks to see baseball games. Our family also went to the zoo there sometimes. As a young adult I visited the Field Museum and Museum of Science and Industry many times. Drove from Ft. Wayne to Chicago with friends to watch the premier of “Yellow Submarine” a “few” years ago!

Now returning after about 40 years, I will see which of us has changed the most! Looking forward to Ashkenaz Deli, Michigan Ave., The Art Institute (Impressionist exhibit there now and Monet is one of my favorites) and of course food and evening activities as well.

Will meet friends there on Wednesday evening and we have a full agenda of activities starting with drinks at the top of the John Hancock building, and then off to Chicago pizza, some great jazz at the Green Dolphin and some Blues at the Kingston Mines. Thursday to Navy Pier, Greek food and lots of fun before heading off to The Dells in a chartered private stretch limo on Thursday for a Conference.

Well, I am heading off today for a couple of days of R & R and to see what I haven’t had time to see for years. Some options are lying on the beach and doing nothing, Aktun Chen grottoes, Cobá and Tulum ruins and a trip down to Boca Paila which was the other option many years ago when the Mexican government decided it wanted to build a tourist development in Quintana Roo. Cancun “won” the toss.

The plan is to leave and take a leisurely ride down the coast…stop somewhere for breakfast maybe in Playa or Puerto Morelos or wherever…maybe stop at the Botanical garden outside PM and just mainly wander aimlessly which prohibits exactly what I am doing now I guess!! It is like “planning” to be spontaneous.

Will be staying at the Grand Oasis Riviera Maya all inclusive in Akumal which is very “centrico” for activities and little restaurants in the area. Will post from time to time about my spontaneous trip.