Yolanda

Greeter since 2011, lives in Downtown Chicago.

What is your current profession or your previous profession?

Cross-Cultural Global Communicator & Television Producer/Reporter

What neighborhood do you live in?

Downtown Chicago

What is your favorite thing about Chicago? That this is a global city

What is your favorite neighborhood and why? Downtown because of its art, diverse architectural styles and ethnic restaurants

Favorite summertime activity?

Enjoying the art festivals and music performances in downtown

Where can you find the best view of the Chicago skyline?

By the Museum Campus

What are your favorite places to show visitors?

Loop architecture & art, and the Fine Arts Building with its art colony

What is your favorite restaurant?

Café Iberico with Spanish food (Chicago & La Salle)

Favorite pizza place?

Exchequers on Jackson & Wabash

Deep Dish or Thin Crust?

Thin Crust Pizza

Favorite Chicago tradition?

Summer Fests

Favorite place in Chicago?

Walk by the Lake

Favorite hidden spot?

I cannot say it because it will not be hidden anymore

Where do you like to go for fun?

Various ethnic restaurants with good food and music

Why did you become a Chicago Greeter?

For multiple reasons, mainly the following five: (1) The Greeters are a friendly and fun group; (2) we Greeters tailor the visits to the visitors’ interest, and they love it; (3) we showcase all aspects of Chicago including its architecture, art, music, food, shopping places and so on; (4) we have the flexibility to design “our own” tours and acquire new knowledge in the process; (5) the interactive nature of our “greeting,” which provides a warm environment, which allows us to become “friends”.

What was your most memorable Chicago Greeter experience?

The truth is that I have enjoyed all of them for various reasons, but the three that moved me the most are: (1) When some Canadian visitors called me back to thank me, and ask if I was willing to join them next day for a concert and dinner, which I did and had fun; (2) when a group of five Spanish ladies e-mailed me so many pictures they took of me during the tour; and (3) when an Argentinean architect decided that she was going to join the Argentinean Greeter group because she could feel the passion we have for the city.