To me, coming back home from uni feels like pressing resume on the TV remote. Not much changes in my neighborhood while I’m away (except that they have probably built another Starbucks, that makes five in a two-mile stretch) and my room is all just as I left it. Falling asleep in my childhood bedroom to the incessant sound of cicadas, it’s easy to believe that life far away in Norwich was just a dream. And while I am always glad to be back home in this beautiful noisy city, summer days here slip away easily in the comfort of buzzing air conditioning slumped in front of the television.  

However, this visit back home had to be different. I met my partner at uni and now he was coming to visit me 4,000 miles (about 6437.38 km) away. Before his visit I researched, surveyed, and itinerised the entire month stay. To prepare, he kept on a steady diet of Chicago-themed movies. It was going to be a Ferris Buller summer; no slouching allowed! 

Traveling with a tourist meant I finally got a chance to do all the things you never normally pay to do in your own city. I saw the city looking down from the Sears Tower, our tallest skyscraper. I learned more about its world-class architecture on a river cruise. I even spent a day at Navy Pier, a massive complex of rides, shops and restaurants on the lakefront. Although I long dismissed it as too-touristy, I couldn’t help but enjoy a turn in its iconic Ferris wheel.  

My partner also had his own ideas! He took me outside of my own interests. I went to my first baseball game (Go Cubs!) We toured the failed industrial community at Pullman National Historical Park. The prohibition era reawakened while listening to jazz at the famous Green Mill Cocktail Lounge.  

After finishing all this and other must-dos, completed by sharing a Portillo’s chocolate shake, we still had time to fill! We soon looked outside of the city center for more activities. Some of the most fun we had together was spent just wandering through the little neighborhoods with their own unique culture and communities. We spent hours popping in and out of thrift stores and bookshops down the city’s main avenues.  

While I had been to many of these places before, they took on a new glow with my partner at my side. And it wasn’t just the flashy attractions that changed in this way. In his way of seeing Chicago, everything suddenly became interesting. Souped up cars, zealous billboard messages, and the tidy grid pattern of our streets were all to be noted and made special. Going on the highway became a destination and even a Wal-Mart visit was a special occasion!  

Let’s be honest, I was never in doubt that Chicago was a wonderful city, especially in the summertime. Its skyscrapers and lakefront shimmer under the sun. Its neighborhoods come alive with people enjoying music, food, and cultural fests. Getting to re-explore the city with my partner filled me with great pride but also a bit of embarrassment. As a tourist, my partner was excited for every place we visited, each new experience. And it was contagious, even a trip to the grocery store had become a wonder! The monotony of everyday life had shielded me from what could happen when I turned off the TV and stepped outside my front door.  

When we travel, we approach the world with a more open mindset. We are sensitive to and enjoy the slightest new experiences. Getting to see my hometown transformed this way through my partner’s eyes was a lesson in appreciating the little things that I will never forget.  

Feature photo credits: Wikimedia Commons. Photo 2 Credit: Juliana Gisler