South Side Chicago

This photo is from the Art Institute of Chicago, found on the southern side of the loop. Destination: South Side Chicago In this episode: FAQ is: Is it wrong for me to hate airports? . Today’s Destination is: South Side Chicago Today’s Mistake- Stranded in Dallas 3 days Travel Advice: Go with public transportation FAQ: Is it wrong for me to hate airports? I have to go there to pick up my grandkids but going to the airport is not fun. Answer: If you look at this as a chore, you’ll not enjoy the experience. I agree that airports can be a challenge. I think that you can shift your thinking and get that frown turned around with some attitude planning. Consider that you will be seeing your grandkids for the first time in a while and how excited they will be to see you makes this a fun trip and experience. You will change the world when you change your attitude. Today’s destination: South Side Chicago I live in the northwest suburbs of Chicago for ten years, and rarely visited the South Side, since I was not familiar with the area. In 2021, I took a few days and explored this area, the larges of the three sides of the city that radiate from downtown. The others being the North Side and the West Side. The city annexed Hyde Park which was a start to this area. The Chicago River divides the sides. The South Side has a varied ethnic composition and a great disparity of income. Some neighborhoods are very affluent, while others are middle class and poor. It boasts cultural sports teams, landmark buildings, museums, educational institutions, medical institutions, beaches and many parks. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Side,_Chicago https://www.mlb.com/whitesox https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/history/owners If you are going to Chicago, know that the city is basically split in North South. On a recent trip, I spent the day near the Museum of Science and Industry, along the lakefront Southside. This was the home of the Worlds’ Columbia Expedition of 1883) and there are still remnants of that fair. The Japanese Gardens are beautiful. https://www.architecture.org/learn/resources/architecture-dictionary/entry/worlds-columbian-exposition-of-1893/ The University of Chicago is full of ivy-walled buildings, like you would see at Harvard, and you can walk the promenade of tree lined streets and boulevards during the day and even find good street parking here for free. If you’re driving to Chicago from Indiana, you can go the skyway for a toll, or on the highway for free. Check your traffic apps to determine your best trip times. I took the skyway to Indiana, but the local highways on the return trip, which was fine without traffic in either direction. Your experience may be different. Today’s Mistake- Stranded in Dallas 3 days I was traveling from Atlanta to San Diego on Spirit Airlines in July 2021 and stranded three days. Don’t do this. Unexpected storms cut all traffic from departing the airport, which ruined some flight schedules. I was stuck. Fortunately, I was able to get a hotel about 40 minutes away and shared a few uber and taxi rides to finally get there. No compensation was given. Finally, three days later, my flight was then cancelled. So my friend helped me book a trip on Southwest from Love Field, so that’s how I finally made it home. On the way back, I gave up my aisle seat to a dad so he could sit with his son. Southwest later rewarded me with a voucher for a discount on future travel as a thank you. Unexpected but grateful. Today’s Travel Advice-Go with public transportation The price of car rentals is sky high these days. You may not need to rent a car. Check where you’re going and see if there is a public transit system available. When I was in Dallas, I was able to find and use the train service from the west part of Dallas to the airport for a fraction of the Uber fare. To get from DFW to Love Field was easy, too. I took the train and then a city bus, for a senior price of less than $2. Connect with Dr Travelbest Website Drmarytravelbest.com Mary Beth on Twitter Dr. Mary Travelbest Twitter Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group Dr. Mary Travelbest Instagram

Travel Planning: Ecuador

Ecuador: planning Listener Story Spotlight I want to tell you about a listener named Pat who loves to take 40-minute walks. She does one every day. We have traveled together to Spain and have been ski buddies for over 10 years. She's a superb figure skater and loves cats. Maybe you even know my friend. Her last name is Brown, inspiring me to go to the Galapagos Islands this year. Thanks, Pat, for that encouragement. The FAQ for today is: How do you choose your outfits for weather conditions that constantly change? The answer is more straightforward than you think: It's basic colors, basic footwear, and layers, including a layer of insulated and waterproof clothing with a hat. You can also buy things along the journey, so if you don't have one now, you can get one later. What brings you more confidence? Is it knowing where you are going to sleep tonight? Is it knowing the language? Is it knowing you don't have to worry about anything? Let me know your thought...

Seoul, South Korea and travel insurance comparisons

Seoul, Korea episode Listener Story Spotlight A friend and a listener named Lois recently went to Hawaii. She told me she spent much time getting travel insurance for herself and her partner. She had to pay more than she expected as her partner was having a birthday between the day she bought the service and the day of the trip. But she said it was well worth it for her peace of mind. The FAQ for today is: Where to find the best travel insurance for a long trip abroad. 1. Start with a neutral comparison engine; you can see this in the show notes. Why use it first? Where to click Smart filters to enable It lets you price 30-day single-trip plans from dozens of underwriters side-by-side, then click through to the policy certificate in one step. Squaremouth (toggle "Comprehensive" or "Medical-only" to see apples-to-apples pricing). Squaremouth Travel Insurance Medical ≥ $100k, Evac≥ $250k, "Cancel for Any Reason" if you want ma...

Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan

Episode: Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan FAQ Should I use public transportation abroad? Episode: Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan Lesson Learned: Don’t schedule everything Day 1 Travel Tip: Trust your gut instincts, if unsure, pivot fast. FAQ Response: Should I use public transportation abroad? Yes, you should try it at the least, but not in rush hour with all of your luggage. One way to test it out is to try it early in the morning, before rush-hour workers arrive, but while it’s still light outside. Most of the time, you only need a card to swipe, and you can add money to the card when you need to. Your first care purchase is often at a self-service kiosk, and usually there is English translations here. Go for it and try. Episode: Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan This scenic region reminded me of Lake Tahoe, California. If you are coming you will Arrive in Taoyuan airport and take the train to the Taipei Main Station and take the HSR t...

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