As much as I love to travel, I always end up homesick for the sheer variety of people in Chicago, especially for the delightful urban melting pot of my own neighborhood. We live in multi-cultural splendor in Roger’s Park, on the North side of Chicago.  This morning HOB and I set out for a walk to the hardware store on Devon Street, knowing full well we’d be distracted.  Devon Street is bursting with wonders: cheap and tasty snacking opportunities, spice markets, dollar stores with displays worthy of a contemporary art museum, and my favorite, hand-painted signs.  My Devon Street neighbors are Pakistani, Indian, Orthodox Jewish, Mexican, Croatian and Russian.  While the American media would have you believe ethnic and religious difference almost inevitably lead to violent conflict, our own daily experience tells a different story.  The next time you’re in Chicago, take a stroll down Devon Street, munch a Samosa in front of constantly running montage of Bollywood dance numbers, browse the House of 220 Volt Electronics, and admire the jaunty way the Orthodox Jewish boys wear their black hats.  And if you’re just looking for a hardware store, I recommend Devon Hardware. 

I’m a huge fan of the meat font.

But will you pay me $50,000 if I prove it’s not halal?

How much are the nuggets?

Despite all the tempting halal meat options, we snacked on vegetarian samosas and a mango lassi at Annapurna.

The dollar stores on Devon are practically art installations.

On Devon, I always appreciate the hand painted signs.

You’ll be welcome, just walk left a bit…

The excuse for a walk: two 20 cent screws.

How we got to Devon Street: on foot.

Where we slept: at home.  Price: mortgage, assessments and utilities.  Recommended: highly.