What follows is a blog post from our intern, Torio:

Up until now, all of my knowledge about Chicago came from the song “Homecoming” by Kanye West and Chris Martin.  Which, by the way, is a song about coming home to Chicago performed by dudes who were born in Atlanta (West) and England (Martin).  I think that’s a neat idea.  I can’t wait until I get home to Rio de Janeiro.

As it turns out Chicago has more to offer than Kanye’s raps and those sweet Chris Martin piano riffs.  For example, did you know that Chicago can do an amazing impression of Cleveland?  It’s true. When Chicago gets hit by a blizzard, it completely closes down.  I went for a walk yesterday and I felt like I was walking in a post-apocalyptic movie.  If we hadn’t just come from Cleveland, a city that must have forgotten to reopen after a blizzard they had forty or so years ago, I would have been pretty uncomfortable. 

My experience in Chicago has served as a very startling wake up call.  We take for granted our access to food in this country.  Most of us can walk a block or two, and be at a grocery store or restaurant, eager to fill our needs.  I’m not here to preach to you about being thankful for what we have, or more compassionate for people that go to bed hungry.  That kind of thinking is what lands you as one of those suckers going to bed with an empty stomach.  Instead, I’m urging you to prepare for a warrior culture.  Let’s face it, eventually this easy way of life will come to an end.  Maybe the religious nut jobs who preach of Rapture will be right, maybe the Mayan calendar has it correct, or maybe you live in Egypt.  The point is that when push comes to shove, will you be ready to fight for your food?  I will.  Starting today I put myself on a fierce workout regimen: I did eight sit-ups and half a pull up.  I know I’ll be sore tomorrow, but it’ll be worth it come loincloth season.

 - Torio