We arrived in The City of Broad Shoulders on Wednesday night to see Kaberi’s mom, see Kaberi’s cousin Shanku and his family, get our Chinese visas, and drop off a small armada of Kaberi’s personal effects. Vik was charged with the task of securing the visas during the day while Kaberi got to have breakfast with her childhood friend Susie and lunch with one of her closest confidantes Ann. Someone definitely got the better end of the deal, although Chinese efficiency made getting the visa a much less painful experience than originally envisioned (if the Chinese consulate in Chicago is any indication, China will easily rule the world by 2012).Through Vik’s nagging and Shanku’s patient guidance, Kaberi was begrudgingly dragged into the 21st century after switching from an old, heavy Nikon FM3 film camera (circa 1971) to a spiffy new digital Nikon D80. She’s not entirely convinced that she can be a “real” photographer without the use of film and F-stops but we’re hoping that she’ll rise to the challenge.
After 48 hours of frenzied, last-gasp trip-related errand-running in the Windy City’s bone-chilling cold, we met up with some longtime Chicago friends on Friday night for the second stop on our farewell tour. Our friend Jason graciously hosted the night’s festivities, which included whipping up an amazing formal dinner for 16 with a menu that included cedar-grilled salmon and flourless chocolate cake. Talk about going out in style. We enjoyed another night of great food, drink and revelry with close friends and then plotted potential meeting-up points in Asia. The night passed by all too quickly and soon it was time to head home for a few, precious hours of sleep before leaving for O’Hare the next morning at 5:30 am.
