Toe-to-Toe

So, I went toe-to-toe with Chicago yesterday.  I'm not a big fan of Chicago... not saying it's a bad place, I just am not a big fan.  I'm sorry to say that the word "hate" has even come out of my mouth when having family discussions about possibly making the trip.  I guess I can't really pin-point what it is, but I'm sort of a country boy, and I don't like the stresses of the "big city"; I don't like driving in it (even my GPS has gotten lost in the Windy City), I don't like the prices (especially to park), and ... well, it's just too big and takes too long to get from point A to B!  :-)  Well, anyow, as I said, I decided to enter the ring once again and go toe-to-toe.... mostly because we needed to get some of our Adoption Dossier papers Apostilled.
I decided to ease some of the stress, so I took the Metra train from Joliet to LaSalle St Station (end of the line), which also happened to be about 5 blocks or so from the IL Dept of States Indexing office.  The ride, although somewhat long, was uneventful, but interesting.  It's strange to go from rolling a golf course and new condos in one stretch to a polluted creek and collapsing, boarded-up (and sometimes burnt-out) 2-story homes in the next.  I took it all in... to the point that I have a slightly stiff neck today from having my head turned for much of the 2 hour trip.
So, I disembarked the train and started my walk with Google map (and building address) in hand.  I got lost only once (well, maybe twice), but give the size of every building in the city, it was amazing how small a building I was really looking for... I expected to see flags, signage, etc.  In fact, at first I mistook the Macy's!  The Macy's has more flags (both US and IL) than the "hunted" building.  Nonetheless, I reached my destination and, within 30 minutes, had all 10 documents Apostilled without incident.
By this time, I had about 20 minutes to work my way back to the train station to be assured of catching the 12:30p back to Joliet.  Luckily, there was a McDs on the way so I grabbed a quick to-go and headed back on my way.  Although, must be a city thing, but you had to show a receipt to a security guard to have him let you in to use the bathroom?!  Yes, folks, you must buy a #1 through #8 in order to facilitate a #1 or #2 in this place!  :-)
Well, when it was all said and done, I made it back to Joliet with really no rise in my blood pressure.  So, I conceded the bout to Chicago... this time.  Chicago 1, Me 0.