Unless you've been living under a rock on Mars, it's no surprise that Chicago has had quite the weekend. On Thursday night, after a 108-year drought, the Chicago Cubs won the world series, giving Northsiders something to brag about. Even if you're a Sox fan, the energy of your die-hard peers was inescapable.
It was a bittersweet night when they won, I was ecstatic and relieved, after spending over an hour feeling nauseous. On the other hand, I wanted nothing more than to be in the city I was born and raised in during this (literal) once in a lifetime event. Being six hours away from civilization has its perks in the sense that you have no other choice than to focus on your education, but it also has its downsides. Here's 6 things you miss being away from Chicago.
1. The Food
Being on a campus that is ranked as having one of the top cafeterias in the nation has its perks, but no matter how good the food is, there are still late night cravings for variety in the gastric sense. Portillo's, Harold's, Nando's, and newly opened Jollibee restaurants are calling my name once I step back into a 312 or 773 area code.
2. Diversity
Culture shock is one thing that exacerbates homesickness. Growing up in a culturally diverse neighborhood, and spending the last four years in one of America's most diverse high schools makes going from a city where people are both aware and unaffected by their differences to Minnesota a leap, mentally. Minnesota isn't a diverse state any way you slice it, and we don't have to pretend like it is. Northfield, a small town less than an hour from the Twin Cities, compounds this lack of diversity with flat land and vacant lots outside of its quaint downtown area. It's both humbling and inspiring to see the spectrum of human archetypes on a large scale, something I noticed I subconsciously seek out in my interactions and relationships.
3. The Ease of Transportation
Northfield has a free bus route that students can use that stops at convenient places. The thing about Chicago is, no matter how much you dislike the CTA, once you get off at a stop, the city is pedestrian-friendly. The cornfields where most colleges and universities are built aren't exactly designed with pedestrians in mind outside of campus. It's almost necessary to have a car, especially in winter months. As much as I hate the smell of the red line, you can't go wrong with having that freedom.
4. The Aesthetic
This may seem a bit superficial, but on a small campus in a small town in Minnesota, you can tell who is from a larger metropolitan area like Chicago and who isn't. While they're literally everywhere in Chicago, you'd be hard-pressed to find a Chrome bag in Northfield. What you will find are a majority of Patagonia (AKA Patagucci) jackets and name brands I've never heard of (Vinyard Vines isn't nearly as popular in Chicago). I see middle-of-the-road clothing, makeup and hair trends you'd be hard-pressed to find in Chicago, much to do with the cultural differences and the prevalence of unintentional street style in Chicago.
5. The History
Imagine a city founded by a Black Frenchman, nearly wiped completely out by a fire, and rebuilding itself to be the country's transportation hub within a single century. I love Chicago's abundance of refurbished buildings and its quirks and things that seem out of place that can only be explained through a history lesson. I can guarantee the above office building is no longer the regional office of Union Carbide and Carbon Company.
6. It's Home
Being born and raised in a tourist hub instills a sense of (over)protectiveness of your home. There are tons of small things that build up a city kid, and even though it's a midwestern town, Chicago is no different. People always ask me if I'll move back to Chicago or stay in Minnesota after graduation. I have no idea at this point, but I have a feeling the city will keep pulling me back.
