11 Comments
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The Bard of Tysoe's avatar

I used to travel fairly regularly to Chicago from the UK (staying in the Swissotel) around the turn of the century: so I enjoyed this greatly… – especially as it sounds like something one of my then colleagues could have told!

If you raise enough money to go back, please let me know, and I’ll carry your bags (as long as you carry mine, of course)!

Lauri Novak's avatar

And be sure to let me know!!!

Allison Wright's avatar

What's the trick in Substack to choose which photo (not simply the first one you import) is the feature photo when you post? Love the last misty buildings photo. Really good!

Paul Appleyard's avatar

Thanks very much. You can choose which photo you want to use somewhere down at the bottom, just before posting. I don’t know if it’s relevant, but I always post these on my computer - if you’re using something else it might be somewhere else.

If you can’t find it, drop me a line and I’ll send you a screenshot next time I do one.

Allison Wright's avatar

I’ll have a look, thank you.

Nick Nasev's avatar

Losing FF status is a bit of a blow (talking from experience here), so good move you quit, Paul.

Great piece! It brought back memories of when I was in Chicago, which seemed not that long ago... (*checks notes*)... what? 26 years ago! Good heavens! I do remember that it was very sunny but barely over 0 degrees Celsius, and that I bought two items from Old Navy – the perfect jumper... until the colour ran, and a blue windcheater, that would go on to be my second skin for a decade.

Paul Appleyard's avatar

Resignation was an easy decision and, like everything else, was just a step on the journey to where I am today!

Lauri Novak's avatar

Fantastic! I forgot about the Nikko, a friend of mine used to work banquets there. Thank you for sharing your Chicago story. I love seeing the images, it's changed so much!

🐝 Buzzy Johnson's avatar

Can’t wait to show these pics to my hubby … he grew up on the South Side 🐝

Paul Appleyard's avatar

Thanks. I hope he enjoys them.