Halloweek(end), autumn in Illinois, and a cheering bus

Did you know that some chimpanzees experience menopause? They are the first non-human primates to be documented experiencing it. These remarkable results emerged from a study that followed chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, Uganda from 1995 to 2016. A day after the study was published, I shared an elevator with a gorilla. Where? At the Field Museum. How come? It’s a Halloweek(end)! Chicago’s very own Halloweek not only takes place on the streets of Chicago but also spills into the workplace.

Meanwhile, my new office has been furnished with a name tag and a brief description of my new project, X-KIN. I have also tidied up the bookshelf to make room for my new collection. Besides setting up new library accounts, website profiles, and applying for social security number, I was able to revise a journal article, prepare for the upcoming AAA (American Association of Anthropologists) Annual Meeting, and savor some autumn colors in and outside the city.

I took my new (second-hand) Electra bicycle for a train ride to Palatine, a small town outside Chicago. There, I attended a Women Who Explore meeting, which involved enjoying nature and hiking. Having spent most of my life close to the Alps, labeling a long walk on the plains of Chicago as hiking feels somewhat unusual. Call it what you will, hiking in Deer Grove Forest Preserve provided a great get away from the urban hustle and bustle.

I also acquired a new pair of running shoes. I put them to the test on the promenade alongside Lake Michigan, which offers stunning early morning views. I am glad I seized the opportunity to run before winter sets in. For instance, in just five days, the temperature will drop from 21 degrees Celsius to freezing conditions. Apparently, this isn’t unusual for Chicago. And clearly, I still have not adapted to Fahrenheit.

On Sunday, on my way home from the run, I passed fans walking towards Soldier Field for the Bears game. On game day, the surrounding area becomes filled with fans, many of whom drive miles to support the team. For many, it’s an all-day event. Fans host tailgating parties in parking lots around the stadium, complete with grilling, loud music, and plenty of enthusiasm for the Bears. The spirit even extends to public transport. Check out this cheering bus:

Last week, I also (virtually) celebrated with my Peers4Careers pod. Alongside Julia and Jakob out for 24 participants, we completed a 6-month accountability program organized by the LBG Careers Center. While pursuing our personal goals and supporting each other on our journeys, I had the unique opportunity to learn some fun facts from Julia and Jakob. For instance, Julia works in a radiology lab without any natural light, entitling her to one additional day off per month, aptly named the “light day”. In contrast, Jakob has only just started his PhD but has already secured a permanent position at the AIT – Austrian Institute of Technology. With the help of AI, we also coined a SNICKER – Symposium for Novel Ideas, Creativity, Knowledge, Exploration, and Research. The acronym, suggested by ChatGPT, represents a hypothetical conference for papers that were rejected elsewhere. We agreed that this would be a welcome addition to existing scientific symposia.

Back at the museum, I had the privilege of receiving a tour of the First Kings of Europe exhibition from Professor William Parkinson, who is also the exhibition co-curator. This exhibition is unique in its scope, bringing together the work and stories of 26 museums and 11 countries throughout southeastern Europe. Among its treasures are the oldest human-made gold objects, known as the Varna treasure, created over 6,000 years ago. Additionally, multimedia elements, including video, audio, and soundscapes, immerse visitors in ceremonial rituals associated with death and metalworking.

This weekend, I visited the First Kings together with Iride, a doctoral candidate in anthropology at the University of Michigan and my first guest in Chicago. We enjoyed the enthusiasm about the exhibition, attended the museum’s Halloween party, and marveled at the beauty of Starved Rock National Park. The park is often called the Grand Canyon of Illinois, and for good reason. We explored it with Meta, another anthropologist from Slovenia. Considering Slovenia’s population of 2,1 million, the probability of three female Slovenian anthropologists meeting in Chicago is quite astonishing. Nevertheless, we had a wonderful day filled with autumn colors, fresh air, and lots of anthropological insights and food for thought in the park.

The Halloweek(end) continues. For me, it was marked by a gorilla, a taco, and Halloween-themed festivities at the museum.