NCTE 2011-- The Chicago Adventure!!

This past November, NCTE had its 100th annual meeting, and it was in the same place NCTE met for its 1st meeting: Chicago! Here's me on a writing marathon (clearly not writing), meeting a representative of its name (Cowtown):

The journey to Chicago was NOT without hardship, however. Because Chicago's nearby (relatively), a group of UNI students and I took the Megabus from Iowa City. Three and a half hours on a bus, only $27 one way-- not bad! We got to Iowa City, all ready with our snacks to board the bus. When it finally arrived, this is what it looked like:

Somewhere between Des Moines and Iowa City, a deer jumped in front of the bus, tore off the driver's side mirror, and damaged the windshield (shown here). We had to wait two more hours for a new bus, and THEN we could start our trip. Once we got there, we jumped in a cab, only to be told by the cab driver: "I hope I can get you through the Occupy Chicago protesters." Yep. They were all over the place, but fortunately enough had been arrested already that they were no longer physically in the street. (Sorry, don't have a picture of this moment.)

Okay, the conference was fine. But I REALLY wanted to blog about was my very first taste of Chicago-style pizza! Here I am, getting ready for my first bite:

Now, that piece was good. But it wasn't the best Chicago pizza, apparently. It was mainly an excuse for about a pound worth of cheese. Our UNI group went to Giordano's the night the Christmas tree was lit downtown (too many crowds, so we gave up and went to eat while the parade was happening), and we had THIS deep dish pizza:

I don't even know how to describe the yumminess of this crust. Kind of like eating a savory mille feuille. Wow! And lots of cheese and great sauce.

What a great town!