Romy and I both had today off, and we decided to go into the Loop for a change (we usually go into Chicago once or twice a year).

As we normally do, we went to the Cultural Center – one of my favorite Chicago buildings – and to the Art Institute of Chicago. There were a couple of photography exhibits that I wanted to see before they ended their runs later in January.

They were OK – no great shakes – but I always enjoy the Art Institute.

After rubbernecking, we went to the Italian Village – a Chicago institution – for lunch. Romy’s eaten there; I don’t recall ever having a meal there, just going to the downstairs bar once or twice. It was very good – Romy had pumpkin-stuff ravioli (not to my taste), and I had the Chicken Marsala, which was excellent.

We took the train in, and there was a holiday train running when we were looking to go home that ran express from the Loop to Mt. Prospect (our stop). We didn’t even know about this, but it worked out perfectly.

Weather was sunny and above freezing (no snow on the ground); wind was minimal.

Nice day. We should do stuff like this more often.