In beginning this post I realized how narrow my definition of American was that night. For justifiable reasons, my mind free associated race/ethnicity (and denim, but that's irrefutable) when I heard the word "American". I suppose it's natural when you continually hear that "America is a melting pot" but end up being ridiculed because of your skin colour. The chances of this happening in Chicago isn't nonexistent, but I'm sure it happens a whole lot less considering the city produced our first black president.
From afar I noticed a Turkish flag billowing next to an American one. I was downtown, so I figured it must be the Turkish embassy. I was consulting my map when the smell of kebabs billowed around me. Turkish food?? What and why?! I skipped (what can I say, food makes me giddy) along in haste to find out. I entered into what seemed like an impromptu block party rather than an official Turkish festival. The embassy wasn't anywhere in sight. It was clear the flag was raised because of the celebration, and I fell in love with Chicago right then and there.
