8.29.2014

PART TWO TRAVELING WITH KIDS: HOSTELING









When we first considered a trip with our three girls and my pregnant self, we immediately thought hostel.  For some it is a thought that may never cross ones mind.  The papa and I hosteled extensively in the Netherlands and New Zealand.  Our experiences varied but were generally excellent.  I mean yes there was that one hostel where we slept in our sleeping bags on single beds so we wouldn't have to touch anything.  And there was that other one where our food was stolen.  But there was also the hostel that had a continental breakfast that allowed us to stock up on food and feed us for the day.  Oh yeah, and that other one where the bathroom was palatial and we slept mighty well.  Let me begin with the benefits of staying at a hostel and then some disadvantages.  I will then comprise a list of how to choose a hostel.  All of these relate to hosteling with babes remember.

Benefits of staying at a hostel:

1.  Cost effective:

When we decided to book our flights for Chicago, we failed to realize that it was Lollopalooza weekend, as I mentioned before.  Hotel costs were astronomical.  Definitely out of budget.  The Chicago Getaway Hostel, which I highly recommend, was perfect.  We received a private room as well as free wifi and continental breakfast every morning.  The breakfast alone saved us a couple hundred dollars if we were to eat out or even make our own food.

2.  Lessons of community:

As common to most hostels, we share space.  We did not have a private bathroom.  We did not have a private kitchen.  If we wanted to use the computer or eat, it was with others.  We made short term acquaintances.  The atmosphere encourages positivity amongst your neighbours.  We all respected each other.  The front desk was most helpful.  The lounge brought us together.  And each afternoon we got to hear melodies from a piano played by a traveller.  The international flavours wafted through the kitchen.

3.  Responsibility:

No one calling room service here.  If you are hungry, you must prepare food yourself.  The babes helped pick and plan several meals and were a real fixture in the communal kitchen.  They were quite proud to be hanging with the big boys making their dinner.  Our room was cozy, which meant that your bed is your space and not the entire room.  We each had to maintain order so that each of us felt comfortable.  Lastly, if you had to clean yourself or go to the washroom you had to plan it as we had to walk a bit to get to one.  This taught the babes the importance of organization and respecting our bodies.

4.  Information and Planning:

The hostel workers are knowledgable, not only of the local area, but the entire city.  At any time we as parents had questions about where the heck we were or how to get there, we were directed promptly, accurately and positively.  This reduced our time staring at maps and even deciding on when we should leave the hostel to make events or flights we had planned.  They were also great at telling us what to avoid and gave us a better bang for our buck.  Our hostel also had a great activity board highlighting their daily activities and the city's.

5.  Living Simply:

Our room was quite bare and thus Chicago became our playground.  In moments of quiet time in our room.  The girls were quite content to imagine and use their sheets to mimic Rapunzel's hair.  They drew, ran, laughed and enjoyed the company of others.  It was magical to watch.

Disadvantages of staying at a hostel

I am of the mindset that an experience is what you make it.  My expectations are never low.  I just don't have any.  Then I am pleasantly surprised.  If you are expecting the Hilton, think again.  If you are the type of person who loves the Hilton (trust me I do love hotels as well), a hostel may not be for you.  But if you are like us and have a very limited budget and three kids.  A hostel was our only option.

1.  Shared space:

No private bathrooms, television or cooking preparation areas.  You may get to the bathroom and find it full.  You may also be uncomfortable getting nearly naked near others (although you are hawt Mama!).  You may just like to take a dump in peace.  I get it.  Sometimes at the end of a traveling day you just want to put on cable and veg.  Well, at the hostel, you may be forced to watch something someone else is watching or wait for a computer. (We were lucky that there was free computer access and no timed play.)  Some people also love the advantage of having a private kitchen.  At times I would have enjoyed it as well, as certain smells were making me queazy.

Lastly: there are some dishonest people around.  Some people steal other people's food.  But nothing happened like that here and I saw Ben and Jerry's and beer in the fridge.

2.  No Living Large:

You aren't pampered at all.  You clean your own clothes, prepare food, walk to shower.  No room service.  The beds are not exceptionally comfortable.  But hey!  It is a place to sleep.  And aren't you there to explore anyways.

How to Choose a Hostel with Children

1.  Inquire about private rooms and specifically with children.  If they don't accommodate children, you obviously cannot stay there.
2.  Determine the culture of the hostel by thoroughly reading the website and reviews.  Some hostels are basically frat houses.  Ensure that there are safety measures in place and that the activities hosted don't centre around alcohol.
3.  Easy access to transportation and places that are child friendly.
4.  Shop around.
5.  Any extras are great.  Continental breakfast was awesome and saved us a lot of money.  Also the free wifi, which meant when the kids fell asleep, we could surf the web from our phones or go catch up on emails or do local research about the city.
6.  Visually, does it appeal to you based on photos you have seen.

So if you are ever in Chicago I suggest hitting up the Chicago Getaway Hostel.  You would not be let down.


8.25.2014

CHICAGO PART THREE

























This post is simply an architecture loaded post.  The papa loved Chicago because of its amazing architecture.  The massive building pictures you see, although I can hardly remember the names of them because I was just admiring the beauty, were taken while aboard an architectural boat tour.  I was hesitant, but it ended up being the best part of our trip.  Our tour guide was super knowledgeable, anecdotal and funny.

The other photos that you may notice were taken on the 150 foot high ferris wheel at Navy Pier.  This is much smaller compared to the 200 foot high wheel that held 2000 riders for the World Fair in the early 1900s (I believe).  It still frightened me nonetheless.  The picture in which the Papa is laughing and grabbing Harri Bear's head was taken directly after she poked her head out of the cabin and almost bonked it.  Geez those kids really try to freak me out!

One more part of our trip to go and then a continuation of my traveling series.

8.16.2014

PART TWO OF CHICAGO
























This was one of my favourite days as the weather started out a little yucky and quickly turned into one of the warmest days of our trips.  We also got to explore several of the it places for our family and probably other families as well.

When we booked this trip, we failed to realize that it was Lollapalooza weekend.  It is a big tourist weekend for the city and we were told to avoid Millennium Park and Grant Park like the plague, at least on the weekend.  We took this advice to heart and ventured there when it was a bit quieter.  The start of the day began with a visit to the Bean.  It was really cool and much bigger than I imagined.  The reflection and inside of the Bean was magical and reminded me of some spaceship from out of this world.  The babes loved it because they ran free.

We were drawn into Grant Park by really beautiful music.  We followed it to find the Orchestra practising for free in the park for a free show they were to put on later on in the week.  It was a lovely treat.  I got to rest (I was really feeling pregnant this day).  The girls did cartwheels on the grass.  It was so lovely to see their free spirits soar in a place that they didn't call home.  In a matter of minutes, it seemed as though the weather changed.  The clouds disappeared and the sun shone with an intensity that was blinding and a bit uncomfortable.

Needing a change and food, we found a delicious restaurant on the outside of the park.  The soup, fresh bread and lemonade hit the spot and gave us the motivation to return to the park.  It was such a good idea.  Kids were frolicking in this amazing fountain.  On either end of the park there were these tall fountains.  On them were projected the faces of people.  They would slowly awake and then "spit" water on the kids.  The girls raced around in there undies...until a security guy on a Segway told them they couldn't.  We got in a good half hour though.

From there we went to the central library to relax our minds and bodies.  It was interesting for me because my favourite place in the world is my town library.  It is where my mind is calm, free and happy.  This library gave me really weird vibes.  It was really uncomfortable, literally and figuratively.  No bean bag chairs or spots to just cozy into.  I noticed the library being very forceful and dismissive when people asked questions.  The roaming security guard packing heat was a bit frightening as well.  The babes didn't seem to notice but I wouldn't head back there again.

The day ended with a trip to the Chicago Diner.  Meat free since '83.  Everything we ate was freakin' awesome.  I got a spicy "chicken" seitan burger with waffle fries.  I am not sure which spices they use on those fries and how on earth they made their dressing but it was stellar!  The Papa ordered a soul bowl.  Gorgeous huh?  The babes got Chocolate Chip milkshakes and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip milkshakes.  Best ever.  We finished with dessert:  "cheese"cake and carrot cake (our favourite).  It was such an experience...that we returned two more times (to be explained in more detail on my Travelling with Vegan Kids Post).

Good day!  Wouldn't you say?