Rotten Too Ripe

As a chain link fence patrols fending off trespassers on the ground level, at the top, graffiti let’s out a loud tone signifying what an author picturize. Since the building, a former eight-floor hospital, is upright just about as it was in yonder way times why not at least make note of the previous. The genesis of rotten to ripe dates back over a century to 1914 and for a good part of that the future iconic symbol held its ground until December of 2002. For next two decades it was set shiftless rotten away like yellow grass from green. Prior to higher powers determining the show had ran its course there was no entanglement of an association, but exposure of the unsolicited & solicit phases from the former Windy City county hospital was observed as if in 3D.

Outside my single room occupancy (SRO) window I could easily see the building making the unlit night even darker as it loiters. For years I lived directly across the highway from the empty stock-still pasty-faced structure that occupied an entire block. At night it’s ugliness could be seen brighter than when the sun is at its shiniest moment. My consciousness had me fixed in on referring to it as an oversized haunted house—definitely ill-fitting for the contemporary times of the right now. It’s not off the beaten path neither but neighboring functional buildings showing itself like the biggest house in their neck of the woods that just so happens to be abandon.

Then there it was; me about my way, walking in the same direction as the construction workers as they show up bright and earlier fading years and years deterioration. While I was criticizing and ridiculing, without knowledge of, behind closed doors blueprints for that better were in the works. They were renovating a century old structure to a hotel with additional preparations.

Over a year of chameleon-like price checking, having the presence of mind could not be turn a deaf ear to. Setting it aside—the room with a king size bed, had to be done in a very competitive style. With my approach to the fluctuation, I must say, “I did very well”. The reservation was activated about three weeks in advance. Soon thereafter I got an invitation to explore their app. A brand that is a whale in the ocean put forward the good foot and unrolled an exhaustive experience.

Before stepping foot inside the ripe formerly known as the rotten, with animation came a desire for inquiries. For instance; was there room services available? On the site where the reservation was made, I knew there was a bar, food area, and under the roof store of “perfectly packaged grab & go items”, so they say. But what I didn’t know was what varieties of drinks did they offer. I discovered the bar menu via the app and unmasked that they serve food as well—fries & burger chased down by a low resolution effect. The cocktail section wasn’t as vast as I thought it would be, but something beats nothing. Also they serve beer (domestic & imported) and a wine list that tops them all. And the prices are very sensible.

Now on to something new and interesting, the digital key access. You might be wondering what that is if you don’t already have knowledge of it. Once I’m checked in all needs to be done is put my phone somewhere on or near the door and the door will unlock. I was forced to browse to make sure this particular property offered digital key access, which it does. Although the stay is only for the night since it’s a working assignment, I might have to step out a time or two. Who wants to backtrack to the front desk for another card key because the one you have was been left in the room.

Sunday morning, Christmas eve of 2023, I find out that I could “check-in” to my room on-line. The time was set for 7:30pm. I’m scheduled to work until 6:30 at my other gig. There might to a chance I’ll have stay late or leave early. Eight pm was the original time (11:00pm was the last choice time) But I change my mind. They said they would contact me when the room was ready. Now I see an option to text the hotel. Which I find to be great. More monies was taken off the card was well. They were not going to get all of it!

On my way to the hotel I check on the app about my room being ready. I had the room number, and it was all go. As I’m walking up to the place you couldn’t help not to discount the red and green lights shinning off the pillars in the full moon sky. The walk was a very short one as I noticed the quietness and slow-paced atmosphere. Now you must be aware that this is a medical district, so there’s hospitals up and down the block. Imagining the noise getting out of hand is an understatement. Once in, the front entrance not through the parking lot entrance, I immediately hit the stairs to the second floor. Not before eyeing the lobby area. With a first impression of, “I wasn’t buffaloed with amazement”.

On the second floor to the left, there I find the bar as two pork egg rolls; a lady of my age and a young egg roll boy put balls in a hole on a nearby pool table, and right next to it is a very large sitting area with TV. Not far down the corridor, to your right, you’ll run into the gym. From what I could I see the gym was empty as I tried to get in. After using the mobile key and unsuccessfully getting into the gym I walked back past the very large working area, big enough to hold two dozen or more, and find the bar which was right next to a pool table.

To my delight the bartender was a lovely female, which made the moment even better. Since it was Christmas Eve, the bar was closing early, and they wasn’t severing any food. I ask about the food court, on the first floor but she said, “it was closed”! There was no time to waste. With less than thirty minutes before closing I ordered a French 75 and took a seat. There was no way I wanted to polish off my drink, no telling how strong it was plus I wanted to “enjoy” it. So I ask her if I could take the drink to my room. Thats when she reached for another cup and did a smooth switcheroo. The tap was closed, and I left a heartwarming tip.

Picking up where I had left off, I boarded the stairs farther upward. The next set of stairs didn’t make it to the next level. They led me straight into a wall. Back on the second level and at the elevator, which I didn’t know how to work, I made it to the first floor. At the front desk I let the lady know I didn’t know what I was doing. That’s when she give me a key card. While down there I got two bags of chips charged to my room from the mini mart. On the way to the elevator a female was in front of me going to the same floor, so I just rode up with her. Getting off the elevator I went the only way there was to go and that was to make a right. That right led into another decision either a right or left. I took a left! In taking that left you couldn’t miss the uncommonly size of the hallway. A titanic vibe of unputdownable emotions. By far it had to be the grandest of hotel hallways I’ve ever walked. Theres a icemaker on the floor as well.

Without spilling any on the French 75 I got into my room with the hotels mobile entry within seconds. I find the room to be very dark since the lights were off, spacious, comfortable, very modern and business like I must say. I unloaded some items on the table/desk, however you want to look at it, and eventually put on some coffee. Chaos ensued when I put too much water into the coffee maker but still, a beautiful cup of coffee was created.

Right above the table/desk is a tv of befitting size to left you have the phone and next to that you have a small charging station for your mobile equipment that I find to be very convenient and once again very business minded. And to the right, all up on me, is a mini fridge cleverly tucked away in its blanket (no free drinks inside). Clean as clean could be but empty! Right behind you have a sofa that covers two walls, a piece of furniture I’ll name footrest, and a moveable stand—Something you would use if you wanted to use your laptop while lounging on the pull-out bed sofa.

No ashtray!

The bed is right next to the sofa to the right. Between the encased mini fridge and closet there is the coffee maker. Inside the closet lays: racks, iron, and ironing board. Below the closet is the safe and above is something I have no idea about but will take a guess and say it has to do with the pullout sofa. Sitting on the sofa there’s a direct hit on the tv which happens to be in high definition. When I come in contact with HD its always weird to me and my eyes (like foreign). If your bright-eyed & bushy-tailed to wind-down the evening with a relaxing movie you could be in for a surprise. Without your own personal apps in all probability you won’t get it! The app I used to get onto their network was a nonpaying one.

I could have used a shower, especially just getting off from work but I decided against it. The bathroom had a charming size of its own. There was more than enough towels—Everywhere you turned there were towels. Inside the standup shower, perfecting position, you have shower gem, shampoo, and conditioner in easy access squirt bottles. I find the toilet to be toilet paper friendly. You won’t have any difficulties keeping the toilet paper on the seat once you’ve wrapped the paper around it.

I pause the movie I was watching off the app on my phone using my phone as a remote-control and went to smoke a cigarette. Elevator key card to the kiosks and down to the first floor I was. I noticed there wasn’t a noticeable smoking area in the front entrance when arriving. From the first floor nice and quiet lobby, I exited through the parking lot entrance. There, to the right, was an ashtray with the same view as the one from the room I was staying in. No view of Lake Michigan or the Chicago’s nightline I will say that.

And the other side there’s a far more motivating view. Just across the freeway & train tracks lays two arenas and a community college (where I fortunately had the pleasure of attending when it was standing where one of the two arenas now stand). If you’re in the mood for a professional game of hockey or basketball or your favorite singer, band, or any other type of entertainment that might be on display at time of your visit you have it in walking distance. Also, there are other attractions in the downtown area which less than a ten minute train ride. So no need to be worrying about the drama of traffic.

In the heat of the moment I neglected an essential element of day to day living—water. There was only one bottle left. On the way back up I put the key card to the kiosks pushed the floor and that was it. Once inside you didn’t have to do anything but get off once you have reached your floor. A very distinctive vibe!

Up early I find myself on the second floor for a complimentary breakfast: scrambled eggs, bacon, & muffin with butter and cream cheese. The night before after seeing only one person on their laptop to seeing a transformation of a pop-up complimentary breakfast bar with individuals coming and going. My plate was as full as I could get it and I ate my breakfast in my room.

With the “all-access key card” I finally got into the gym. There were people in there getting their money on, so the equipment was functional. Right next to the gym is a laundry room. Back on the first-floor workers were moving about inside the food-court preparing for their day. They serve lunch & dinner starting at 11:00am.

Right before you reach the food-court you pass the cook county hospital museum, and the doors were widely open. Without question it brought back memories from when I was at the drawing board crafting how I was to go about with a meaningful introduction to be followed by a meaningful essay. The tour is a very insightful & entertaining experience. So much of the history that hangs on those walls is still alive today. You can’t visit less alone stay in this hotel and leave without stepping foot into a room full of such rich extraction of American history.

I never got around to knowing if room service were a part of their perks! I never asked if the bar did, to a certain extent, name it! The stairs, mini mart, and limit amount of channels on the tube were acutely unpleasant. Why use the mobile key entry when one key does it all? While lying in bed why do I turn my head to the left instead of straight forward action? Even though, this was one of those test were failure wasn’t an option, whether it was right or wrong, there were expectations. This pet friendly, among other things, is no longer an oversized haunted house but a new testament.

CITE

The Citizen Newspaper Group