HI Staff have the Travel Bug!

Working at a hostel, everyone has the travel bug. Hostelling International Chicago's staff members often take their vacation times and put them to good use. One staff member, Kimberly Turner, just returned from vacation. Naturally we were curious to see how her trip went and we wanted to share with you!

HI: What do you do here and how long have you been working at the hostel?
I am the assistant general manager. And I have been here a little over 4 years. 4 years and 3 months.

HI: So you recently went on vacation in Italy. Where were you in Italy? 
We went to Rome, spent one night in the Cinque Terre, two nights in Siena, two in Tuscany in the countryside outside Florence. 

HI: How long were you there for?
We left of the 7th. So, 10 days.

HI: What did you do as you were traveling?
We basically saw the sights. The Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, the Coliseum and we spent time just wandering around the cities. Eating a lot of good food and good wine (laughing). That about sums it up! Nothing too exciting. 

HI: Sounds great! What was your favorite part?
My favorite part would have to be…(pauses thinking) I loved the Sistine Chapel. And the Coliseum, I loved them both. But the Sistine Chapel was my favorite. It was even more amazing than I pictured it to be. We went at night and had an audio tour. It was very helpful and so beautiful at night. It was incredible. 

HI: If you had to recommend one thing that a person had to see in Italy what would it be?
I would say the Coliseum is an absolute must. Just because there is nothing else like it. The third station of the cross is there if you are religious; or event if you are not it is still cool to see. It is also cool to look back to that point in history. There is so much history there! ½ million people died in sick and twisted games. It is disturbing but part of history. The Coliseum is also really easy to get to! Its right off of the train stop. You get off and the Coliseum is right there! 

HI: Wow! 
Yeah it was really neat. It was like watching free entertainment for them. I learned so much! There was free food and free wine. And most of the animals, tigers, giraffes, and stuff, are from Africa. But only 20% of them made the trip from Africa! 

HI: Wow, sounds like there was a lot of information there!
Yeah we had a 45 minute tour with a guide. There was so much I never even thought about. It was well worth the paid tour. I was thinking of just going in and walking around and looking at the signs, but it was so much more fascinating with the guide. 

HI: So after your travels in Italy, trying to get back to the United States in light of the Volcano, were you affected?
No we weren’t! We were so lucky! Our flight was Saturday morning and we had been watching the news a lot to make sure we were still on. But there were still people traveling in Italy and Spain. So we made it out. The airports were busy but I expected it to be more hectic. When we landed in New York, JFK is normally such an insiane place already but it wasn’t bad at all. There were cots lined up for stranded travelers, but it wasn’t bad. It was much busier in Chicago. 

HI: That is so great! I’m so glad you made it back and didn’t have problems. 
Yeah we were so lucky! It was such a blessing that our flights were on time! 

HI: Well, thank you very much for talking with me! Have a good rest of the day and welcome back!
No problem! Thanks!

Cultural Kitchen with Christopher House

Hostelling International Chicago is a wonderful place to stay, with a great staff, clean and comfy rooms, and an unmatchable location in downtown Chicago. In addition to these advantages, HIChicago offers several education programs for Chicago students. One of these programs, appropriately named "Cultural Kitchen", challenges students to explore cultures outside their own and then spend a night at the hostel.

A typical Cultural Kitchen begins outside the hostel, when one of HIChicago's education staff visits a classroom of students at the their school. After learning about the program, the students vote on one country to study. In the following weeks, they study the culture of that country, researching topics like religion, geography, food, dress, traditions, and more. Although it is very educational, this part of the program is only the beginning of the students' learning experience.

After researching, the class travel downtown to Hostelling International Chicago. While at the hostel, they cook a typical meal from the country they studied, share the meal with hostel guests, present their research, and finally stay overnight. Most students learn a ton, and their reactions demonstrate the importance of intercultural experiences. 

A Cultural Kitchen happens almost every week, but the group that came on March 31 made a unique impression. The group was not from a Chicago high school, which is the usual case, but from a community organization named Christopher House. The youth studied the country of India and then cooked a wonderful Indian meal -- Vegetable Curry, Potatoes and Spinach in Cream, Chicken Tikka Masala, and Coconut Bars (Nariyal Burfi) for dessert. The food was delicious, but it was topped by their presentation afterwards. 

After dinner, the Christopher House students presented a slide show about India. In addition to painting a beautiful picture of this country and its culture, several students shared about their own cultures and backgrounds. The hostel guests learned even more about Nigeria, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and even Chicago. The presentations were very interesting and fun, as was the game afterwards, but it was most rewarding to hear the reactions of the students. In the end, Cultural Kitchen was not just another research project for them, but an opportunity for each student to get to know world cultures more. They themselves responded by saying things like "Learning about other cultures opens our minds to new things", "Cultural understanding helps build peace in our world", and "Learning about other cultures is good practice before we travel". On top of that, they all got to explore their own heritage more and become more familiar with their own cultures.

It is very rewarding to see this kind of influence that cultures, travel, and hostels can have on the youth of today. Most Chicago youth rarely get the opportunity to leave the country, but they are able to "travel" to new places by studying them, talking to travelers, and staying at the hostel downtown. Cultural Kitchen is an excellent program that offers so much for Chicago youth. And those guests that sign up to attend get some excellent food, learn more about other countries, and may even get to learn about the heritage of students in Chicago! What a program!

Egypt: In and Out of the Bubble

Hi-
I’m Tom and a volunteer at the HI Chicago Hostel. I mostly work the Info Desk, but also occasionally lead outings to places like the Green Mill Lounge and Smoke Daddy. I just returned from a tour of Egypt with my son and daughter and we had a great time. Our itinerary started with arrivals in Cairo. My daughter overland by bus from Jerusalem and my son and I from Chicago via Istanbul. We started our sightseeing in Cairo with the Sphynx and pyramids in Giza and then headed south to Aswan via the overnight “sleeping train”. We arrived late morning in Aswan and then had four days down the Nile on a cruise boat. We went from Aswan to Luxor and visited the Temple of Isis, the Aswan Dams, the Unfinished Obelisk, the Temple at Kom Ombo, then down the river further to Edfu and the Temple of Horus. On the third day we saw the Colossi of Memnon, the tombs in the Valley of the Kings and the largely restored Temple of Hatshepsut.(the queen who became a Pharoah) on the west bank of Luxor. We left the boat and our tour guide in Luxor and checked out the Temples of Luxor and Karnak, as well as, the wonderful Luxor Museum. The next day we went by train to Alexandria for four days to check out the Alexandria Library and other sites including the National Museum, Fort Qaitbay and the Presidential Palace at Montazah. After Alexandria a 3 hour evening train ride got us back to Cairo four days and the Egyptian Museum, Coptic Cairo, Old (Islamic) Cairo.

Most of the trip we made up our itinerary as we went using Lonely Planet and other resources for guides as to what to see and how to get there. The obvious exception was the cruise which included our own guide and prescheduled and prepaid outings and tours with still a fair amount of free time. In general the cost was higher, but more time efficient compared to going on our own. The package tour also allowed us to ease into the Egyptian way instead of a sink or swim approach of doing everything on our own. It also helped that my daughter Sara has a pretty good command of Arabic and is used to negotiating with taxi drivers in the West Bank in Palestine. 

My favorite experiences there included Alexandria in general for it’s combination of Middle Eastern and European influences and great museums including the new Library which is an architectural masterpiece and the region’s great seafood. The Egyptian Museum in Cairo is a must as are at least some of the temples, tombs and pyramids in the Nile Valley. They all can be somewhat overwhelming, but taking them in manageable chunks and not trying to see them all is a good strategy. Getting around on foot can seem a little scary at first, but despite all the honking and lack of traffic control and structure that we are used to in the US, pedestrian and vehicular traffic moves fairly efficiently even in the busiest sections of Cairo. I highly recommend walking as much as you are comfortable in all of the cities. Follow the natives and keep an eye out, but drivers are highly aware of where the pedestrians are and will usually give tourists just a little more room to get through the traffic. I never saw outright road rage and in general drivers and walkers operate from a position of enlightened self-interest. When you get tired there are plenty of cheap minibuses and taxis that will get you to most places in the cities for a few cents to three or four dollars.

Food was great, inexpensive and easy to access without going near any western hotel chain dining rooms. Shammie is most like Greek or Lebanese pita, baladie is similar but darker with more whole grain and bran on the bottom. Schwarma of all kinds is available on the street and in restaurants. Egyptian pancakes tend to be fairly plain, but in some places are on the same menus with more standard Italian style thin crust pizza. The pancakes tend to have the ingredients baked totally inside the enveloping crust and are more like pizza than western style pancakes. Everywhere you go mezzes (salads and appetizers) are available. Some are served on a complimentary basis or can be ordered in combination plates. They vary from baba gannouj to green salads to pickled vegetables and various kinds of humus and tahina, as well as kibbeh and felafel. One dish unique to Egypt is kushari that contains lentils, pasta, rice, chick peas, onions and is topped with vinegar sauce and/or hot sauce made with chilies and tomatoes. Essentially vegetarian or in most cases vegan it can also be topped with schwarma, shish kabob or kibbeh. It is served in tiny street stalls and shiny, clean fast food places. One thing I did not see anywhere in Egypt is hot dogs, but there is the occasional McDonald’s and lots of KFC’s including across the street from the Sphynx in Giza. In Alexandria seafood reigns with street vendors and white table cloth fine dining. Many places you pick out what you want from either the raw catch on display or point to it as its pulled from the deep fryer and then piled on your platter. For a great selection of Egyptian fast food in Cairo or Alexandria go to GAD. The bakeries are not that plentiful, but very popular, particularly at night and many have great cheap gelato. Food and beer (when you can find it) is amazingly cheap in restaurants. Nice lunches will run to 
15-25 Egyptian Pounds ($3-5) and easily feed two. Half liter beers are usually ten poounds. Even in nicer restaurants bills were typically under 100 pounds for two for dinner. Tips are often itemized and included on the bill. 

Hotels tend to run from big city western rates for Sofitels and Hiltons to hostels for about $5 per person for a shared room to less than $25 for a private ensuite for two or three. Budget hotels in Alexandria are not plentiful, but the one we found was brand new (in an old building) and less than $50 per night for a private ensuite for three. Almost everybody includes breakfast in the rate as well as all the taxes. Our hostel/budget hotels in Alexandria and Cairo were both in the top floors of apartment/office buildings built in the late 19th century with lots of charm and floor to ceiling french doors with louvers and balconies and great views. The only downside seemed to be the lack of dependability of the elevators which were old cage style ones with slightly modernized cars. All of our hotel/hostel reservations were done through Hostelworld or Expedia and there were no problems with the reservations or the rates quoted. Hostelworld charges a small booking fee and prepaid deposit.

So if you go to Egypt, you don’t have to do the package tour. You can mix and match with cruises and side trips or even do it all ad hoc. Just one other piece of advice–take your ATM card. ATM’s are everywhere in Egypt and generally the fees are less than exchanging US$ travelers checks or cash and almost no one takes credit cards outside of the big hotels.

Chinatown

CHINATOWN

Chicago’s Chinese population originally lived in the Loop area, but relocated to a then-Italian neighborhood south of downtown around 1912. Today, Chinatown is home to more than 30% of Chicago’s Chinese population, and its crowded streets are lined with exotic restaurants and authentic Chinese vendors. Starting at the Chinatown Gate next to the Red Line Cermak-Chinatown stop, walk down Wentworth Avenue, Cermak Road, and Archer Avenue for the best shopping and treats. 

 KNOWN FOR: The bustling epicenter of Chicago’s Chinese population; authentic restaurants and bakeries; great place to purchase cookware and fun souvenirs.

 DON’T MISS: Double Li Restaurant (228 W Cermak) for a great BYOB option; Lao Sze Chuan (2172 S Archer) for a spicy menu; Giftland (2212 S Wentworth Ave), a fun store with good gifts, especially for kids; Chinatown Market (2121 S Archer Ave), the biggest grocery store in Chinatown; Chui Quon Bakery (2242 S Wentworth Ave) for Asian pork buns & egg custard tarts.

 GET THERE: Take the Red Line train (direction: 95th/Dan Ryan) to the Cermak/Chinatown stop.

Murals Make an Exciting New Addition

Hostelling International is very excited to announce the completion of two additional murals in our building! Last week a group of students and staff from Connect Force used their incredible talents to bring beauty to the hostel’s stairwells. The group had previously painted a mural on the landing between the 2nd and 3rd floors. We loved it so much we asked them to do more! Eventually all landings will have a mural done by Connect Force. The program is based out of Uptown and focuses on youth and hip-hop culture. We got a chance to talk with one of the staff members at Connect Force! Let him tell you more: 



HI: What is your name?
Jesse. My art name is Jezi

HI: So you are working on the mural between the first floor and the second floor in the stairwell. What is this mural about?
It is about culture, dreaming, and believing.



HI: How did you come up with the inspiration?
Well this is what we practice with the hip-hop program. But most of it was spontaneous; we didn’t plan ahead with the concept. But we planned the basic images and then it manifested on top of that. 

HI: Who was working on this mural?
Justin really kicked it off. Me, Oscar, Nick, Avery, Ruth, and Mike have been working on it too. Avery, Ruth, and Mike are all students. And the rest of us work for Connect Force. 



HI: How long did it take with all of you working together? 
This is day four. We will definitely finish by tomorrow. We have to do programming tonight so we have to leave early. But we will finish tomorrow. 

HI: Tell me more about Connect Force. What do you guys do?
We are a hip-hop preservation and education program. We firstly teach and support youth in their own academic and self-development in a context of teaching the element of hip-hop culture. 



HI: Where are most students from?
Most are from Uptown but we do get a lot of participants from all over the city. The other half of what we do is just to have an open space to practice hip-hop. Our hours are 6-8 Tuesdays and Thursdays and 1-4 on Saturdays. We actually have participants form all over the world come to practice with us. We have really nice dance floors so that draws in a lot of people. So it was a natural connection with the international hostel. Usually if breakers from out of town come in to Chicago, they visit us. 



HI: Wow that is sweet! Have you done other murals?
Yeah mostly outdoor murals. We have done some indoor however we are hoping this will increase our publicity. And then allow us to increase our portfolio. 

HI: Well it looks great! Thanks so much for taking a break and talking with me!
Yeah no problem. Check out the other murals too, they are all pretty sweet! 


Thanks so much Connect Force! It looks great! Stop by the hostel and check it out!

Albany Park

One of the most diverse neighborhoods in the country, Albany Park is an entry-neighborhood for many of Chicago’s newest immigrants from East Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America. A single strip mall can provide you with Latin American groceries, Jordanian breads, Korean BBQ, Lebanese music, DVDs of Japanese soap operas, and more. Lawrence Ave, nicknamed “Little Seoul Drive,” is the main street in Albany Park and hosts the Chicago Korean Festival every August. Nearby Bohemian National Cemetery, the burial place of several notable Czech-Americans, is notable for its elaborate limestone entrance and its two Albin Polasek sculptures, as well as an unusual way for Chicago Cubs fans to show their team loyalty.

 KNOWN FOR: Ethnic restaurants and groceries, especially Middle Eastern; thrift store and inexpensive shopping; vibrant community life such as the Albany Park Theater Project
 DON’T MISS: Al-Khaymeih (4748 N Kedzie Ave) for some of the best Lebanese food around; Lawrence Fish Market (3914 W Lawrence Ave) for unpretentious and excellent sushi; the many Middle Eastern bazaars for hookahs, jewelry, and more – Hookah Village Bazaar (4505 N Kedzie Ave) is a good one.
 GET THERE: Take the Brown Line to Kimball.

Traveler Interview

HI: What is your name?
Andreas, it is like the German form of Andrew 

HI: Where are you from?
Germany

HI: How long have you been in Chicago?
Since last Tuesday. So one week ago I got here (smiling)

HI: What are you doing in the city?
(shrugs) I always wanted to visit Chicago. I am interested in the history and I had never been before. I have been to New York and Boston but not Chicago. I was surprised at the rich culture and history! 

HI: What surprised you? What have you learned about Chicago?
Well it is hard to describe. It is the most open-minded city I have visited so far. There is rich culture! I am amazed at the museums. There is rich music culture too. I went to the blues bars with Chuck. 

HI: Oh the Kingston Mines? 
Yes! Also if the weather is nice, it is nice to walk the shoreline. It is fascinating to watch people! Each city differs in the US! 

HI: Yeah that is so true! So have you seen any really interesting people as you were watching?
Oh yes. I stood for an hour watching people under the jellybean. So fascinating! (laughing) People were going like this and that and making faces to get a good angle (moving arms and legs to simulate motion). 

HI: Yeah the jellybean is always fun. (laughing) 
Yes. Of course I visited the John Hancock and the Willis tower. I prefer the Hancock. The restaurant was magnificent. I sat and had a coffee just sitting looking out. 

HI: Did you go at sunset? That is beautiful I know.
No. It gets too crowded then. I try to avoid them, I don’t feel comfortable with crowds.

HI: Yeah that’s understandable. So what other things have you seen?
Been to the Botanical Gardens. Been to the Museum of Art. It was very confusing. So many floors I got lost! (laughing) Been to the planetarium. The view is great! You are able to walk to Millennium Park and walk all up it. Been to Obama’s house. 

HI: Oh my goodness! You have seen a lot then! Are you traveling all over the US? Is Chicago the only city you are visiting? 
This time yes. I also don’t like being in a city for one to two days. I want to get a feel for it. America in 48 hours is not my travel (laughing). For example, yesterday I walked the shoreline for 2 hours.

HI: Wow! Sounds like you have done a lot of walking while you were here! 
Yes! Ugh. Yesterday I walked back from Obama’s house…

HI: Oh my word! Wow! 
Yes I believe it was 9 miles. And before I spent 5 hours at Macy’s shopping (laughing). 

HI: Wow! So what was your favorite part? 
Well that is very hard to say. I really liked the two blues bars, Kingston Mines and Buddy Guy’s. They were great evenings. It is kind of hard, like comparing apples with oranges (laughing). Especially because they are so different but the blues was fantastic! 

HI: Yeah I bet. So how much longer are you here for?
Until Saturday

HI: And then you head back to Germany? 
Exactly

HI: What do you do in Germany?
I recently graduated and just started to work. That is why I can’t take off too long (laughing). 

HI: It’s a nice little break though.
From time to time I like to see some different things yes.

HI: Well thank you so much for talking with me! Enjoy the beautiful weather. Maybe you could take another nine-mile walk! 
(laughing) Yes I could! Thank you, have a nice day!