Chicago July 17-2006
When you have only one day in a large City like Chicago, it's hard to descide what to do and what to see. This Monday in July the Air Temperature was 96 F (36C) and it was very Humid. The papers said it was like 110F (44C) for Human beings. For us Norwegians, it was hard. And we went out with nothing to cover our heads from the Sun. First thing to do: Buy a Chicago Cap - I bought a Wrigley Field and Anna a red Chicago cap. During this circumstances Our primary choice were a River Cruise, arranged by Chicago Architecture Foundation. It starts at the Mercury Dock just across The Wrigley Building 
at the Chicago River. During the Cruise we learned about the The Great Chicago Fire (Oct 9, 1871) which turned downtown Chicago into ashes. I recommend you to visit the website and read the history. At least city developpers did learn from the fire and Chicago grew up with new architecture and the first signs of Skyscapers.
The sightseeing lasts for 90 minutes
and 50 sites (or buildings) are described and the architecure explained. We were amazed by the guide's knowledge of each of the buildings and their respective architecs and the history behind why they choosed just that architectual expression. But pictures explaines more than thousand words.
The second place we did visit was the Millenium Park. A very modern park with a.o. Two Huge Water Towers.
What makes these watertowers so unique is the fact they display the faces of 1000 Chicago citizen - one at a time on each tower, and they are face to face. Water pouring down from the top.
In the heath, it was really
refreshing. But what happened suddenly? Out of the mouth a jet of water made us all wet. Guess the Children loved that! And they ran from the one watertower to the other in hope> of a refreshing free shower.
What more to see in the park. Lot's. In fact it was planned and build to cover old, dirty Railway tracks.
One more thing that I found creative and exciting:
The Kapoor Sculpture, a stainless beanlike sculpture that reflects the buildings, the sky and all people around and below it. See for yourself.After the sightseeing, walking in the park lakeshore to Michigan, a visit to navy Pier, where we happened to have a light dinner with wine, we were rather tired and went back to our hotel (Best Western River North) and fall soon asleep.
Chicago is a fascinating city. But do not drive on the Interstate from O'Hare Airport and downtown during the Road Work season. Take the train. Anyway, we'll come back. Next edition: Bears in South-West Michigan, Berrien County
When you have only one day in a large City like Chicago, it's hard to descide what to do and what to see. This Monday in July the Air Temperature was 96 F (36C) and it was very Humid. The papers said it was like 110F (44C) for Human beings. For us Norwegians, it was hard. And we went out with nothing to cover our heads from the Sun. First thing to do: Buy a Chicago Cap - I bought a Wrigley Field and Anna a red Chicago cap. During this circumstances Our primary choice were a River Cruise, arranged by Chicago Architecture Foundation. It starts at the Mercury Dock just across The Wrigley Building 
at the Chicago River. During the Cruise we learned about the The Great Chicago Fire (Oct 9, 1871) which turned downtown Chicago into ashes. I recommend you to visit the website and read the history. At least city developpers did learn from the fire and Chicago grew up with new architecture and the first signs of Skyscapers.The sightseeing lasts for 90 minutes
and 50 sites (or buildings) are described and the architecure explained. We were amazed by the guide's knowledge of each of the buildings and their respective architecs and the history behind why they choosed just that architectual expression. But pictures explaines more than thousand words.
The second place we did visit was the Millenium Park. A very modern park with a.o. Two Huge Water Towers.What makes these watertowers so unique is the fact they display the faces of 1000 Chicago citizen - one at a time on each tower, and they are face to face. Water pouring down from the top.
In the heath, it was really
refreshing. But what happened suddenly? Out of the mouth a jet of water made us all wet. Guess the Children loved that! And they ran from the one watertower to the other in hope> of a refreshing free shower.
What more to see in the park. Lot's. In fact it was planned and build to cover old, dirty Railway tracks.
One more thing that I found creative and exciting:The Kapoor Sculpture, a stainless beanlike sculpture that reflects the buildings, the sky and all people around and below it. See for yourself.After the sightseeing, walking in the park lakeshore to Michigan, a visit to navy Pier, where we happened to have a light dinner with wine, we were rather tired and went back to our hotel (Best Western River North) and fall soon asleep.
Chicago is a fascinating city. But do not drive on the Interstate from O'Hare Airport and downtown during the Road Work season. Take the train. Anyway, we'll come back. Next edition: Bears in South-West Michigan, Berrien County
posted by TorAa at
9/01/2006 10:14:00 am
8 Comments:
Thanks for sharing this wonderful trip with us and with great pictures too. Seams like you had a blaste over there:-)
Chicago must have been a blast to see. wonderful city to visit!
I've seen the bean in photos before and it really is a marvelous creation. I love the reflections in it!
And the faces with the mouth water.... Bring on the swimsuits.... *giggles*
Oh, TorAa, Chicago is my kind of town!!!
Loved how you spent your one day over there. Clever tip: public transportation. Once in Chicago in July we went to the Seaquarium and had a picnic with friends,there was a "Grateful Dead" Concert and a huge traffic jam. Mr Mar was supposed to take the plane back to Barcelona so our friends decided the secure way to make it on time was taking the train to the airport so we walked with him to the next station. Yes, he made it on time, it wouldn't have been possible with the car!
At this moment I don't anticipate having a day in Chicago, but you never do know. If I do, of course now I have all the information needed. Thank you for the whistle-stop tour of the Windy City!
I love Chicago. Great shots. You did a fabulous job. Very impressive!
Chicago is a wonderful city. I've been there many, many times and still haven't seen all of it.
I have been to chicago ONE time - maybe 20 years ago... however I was in a business conference all the daylight hours and then whisked immediately back to the airport and never saw a BIT of the city! (except from the window of the plane) So... I find it amazing that YOU from Norway, have a better account of Chicago than "I", from the U.S.!!! LOL! And I LIKE that silver bean!
You brought back so many souvenirs ! We have been 3 days in Chicago and for me it was the most beautiful city of all the big cities I have seen. Los Angeles (pheew) San Franciso nothing special for an European, New York OK for watching people and shopping, Boston too European but Chicago and it's architecture just wonderful ! We even saw a "Al Capone" sight seeing tour, but fortunately our son went on strike, Mr. Gattino would have jumped on the bus ! Another famous Italian, lol ! Meanwhile I recovered from being kissed and strangled of love, for a week ! I am busy with uploading photos for the Cruise, had to think of you because 5 pictures took 6 hours yesterday. Now I do it through Photobucket. There you can upload 100 in one time, it only takes 10 min and you have the html !
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