Surprise at the Dallas Apparel Market

This was a total surprise. After the first 10 hour day at market, we packed up and headed down the elevator to the lobby. Fully expecting to just head back to the hotel, there was a full disco set up with free booze for all the exhibitors, go-go dancers everywhere and a drag dj spinning tunes and posing for the crowd! I took advantage and got as drunk as I look in the photo below. It was WILD!

Hotel and Tex Mex

Our Hotel in Dallas was very nice, but ultimately ruined by all the windows in our room that couldn't be enjoyed because of the view.

Tex Mex is all the rage in Dallas and we frequented a few of them about town.

On our second night we did 'upscale Tex Mex' (which I didn't know existed), but the restaurant was nestled among an oasis of a shopping plaza with top notch jewelery and fashion boutiques.

They all offered table side guacamole where they prepare and mash the ingredients right at your table but this restaurant had the best rooftop patio. It was so hot outside, but the Texan singer who sang the whole time we were there never took a break!

Dallas

When I arrived in Dallas I felt like I was in the middle of nowhere. Long stretches of highways and roads lead from the airport and as I approached downtown the crystal buildings slowly start popping up getting bigger and bigger. For the most part the skyline looked sparkling brand new, but amongst the towering jewels were pieces of Texan history.

The building from which JFK was shot has now been turned into a museum.

The first Neiman Marcus.. (aka Needless Markup)

There was also a lot of really great art downtown Dallas and the galleries (although closed by the time I found them) had some great works displayed.

BOYSTOWN

I got invited out for a night in BoysTown with some people I met at the market. About a 20 minute taxi ride from the heart of downtown up the beaches of Chicago. It ended up being quite a late night, but well worth it.

We checked out Sidetrack, a maze of a bar chocked full of men, unlike anything I'd ever seen. Some parts were inside others outside, but throughout musicals and showtunes blared from all the flat screen and the whole crown was into it.

House of Blues

The music was great but the food was AWFUL! Our waitress' name was 'Misty' and all the courses she brought out to us were covered in some kind of sauce. Sauce on the appetizer, sauce on the veggies, sauce on the fish... needless to say I pretty much practiced a liquid diet that night.

Chicago Round 2

I have a total different take on Chicago after my second go round. This time the city was warm. bustling with energy and I actually got the chance to see more than just the main drag.

The suite I stayed in was sensational (not all for me of course), but a total perk after a long day's work.