Once we arrived in Chicago we split up into two groups. One group visited La Villita Community Church and the other visited Lawndale Community Church. Before the groups switched they met at Lou Malnati’s for Chicago style pizza. At La Villita, pastor Victor spoke to us about the neighborhood and the area surrounding the church. La Villita is on the border of three different gangs, yet the church remains a safe ground. Victor was very honest with us, and in turn, after a few moments of hesitation, we were honest with him. Lou Malnati’s was delicious. Our server was very vivacious and it was clear that he loved what he was doing. During our tour of Lawndale, we took some extra pizzas to Hope House, which was a transition home for people who were drug addicts and coming out of jail. We also learned that our server at Lou Malnati’s was once a resident at Hope House. The groups traveled together to the Garfield Park Conservatory where we got to walk around and see all the different kinds of plants. This conservatory is largest greenhouse United States. That night we went to the Invasion of Skokie play after having dinner on our own. I went to Millennium Park and Noodles and Company with a small group of people during this free time. The play was very interesting. I had done research on the attempted Nazi march in Skokie as a time of free speech. II thought that it was a good play, but I wish that the scenery had changed throughout. They portrayed the tension of the issue so well that it seemed like they had been there when it actually happened.

Saturday was rainy and extra windy for Chicago. Our group went on the mural tour in Pilsen first. I thought a lot of the murals were very interesting and amazingly done. I’ve been impressed by the Louvre, but nothing there even compared; it was like they had their own Louvre just on the streets of their town. We had lunch at an authentic Mexican restaurant and I thought the food was decent. It wasn’t my favorite of the trip, but it was okay. On our way to the Mexican National Museum we stopped at a bakery. The aromas were wonderful and the pastries and desserts tasted even better. In the Mexican National Museum, one of the most moving galleries was the Day of the Dead gallery. There were many pieces that were dedicated to people that had died. One of the ones that moved me the most took up a lot of wall space. It was dedicated to Jeff Maldonado (J-DEF), a 19-year-old aspiring lyricist and vocalist, who was shot and killed on his way home from the barbershop. He was mistaken for someone in a case that has been called, “gang related.” The piece moved me because it was written words, filled with emotion about what it was like to have him gone. The letter that moved me to tears was as follows: “Jr. I love you and miss you so much. The tears haven’t stopped and the memories will never fade. I remember all the smiles behind the shy front and timid grins; the pride in your eyes when you hung out with your dad at the Jumping Bean and the protective, grown-up posture when you stood by mama’s side.  Anthony would tell me that he worried about you and looked our for you from a distance so he wouldn’t embarrass you… We all wanted to keep you in a bubble and safe from harm. You were so sweet, so precious. You’re presence always lifted my Spirit and reminded me how precious our children are to us. Your life here was too short. But your Spirit transcends and will always shine on all those lives that you touched and forever changed.

Shine your light so that we may always find our way on this journey. Until we meet again – I will keep you in my heart and treasure all the memories of your beautiful smile.  I honor your memory and I honor your amazing parents pure love! Always in my heart Lisa Rivera.” The emotion in this day of the dead memorial seemed so much more real than in all the other ones. After the museum was a trip to Chinatown. It was a bummer that it was really cold and rainy while we were there or I think I would have enjoyed it more. I often went into shops just to try to warm up.