Midwest Roadtrip - Chicago

Chicago is . . . awesome. After the sweltering heat of central Illinois we got into the big city for the weekend. Every time I come to this place, it seems as if it has grown. There are new buildings with impressive modern architecture on the skyline, new sculptures in the park, and several of the neighborhoods that were once ghetto are now being gentrified. I have to admit, I always feel lost here. I have to hand it to anyone who has lived here - they have to deal with the harsh winters and have to develop a certain urban chic to survive. 

On Michigan Ave is the Intercontinental hotel - my step father used to work here and we actually lived here for a few months. As Helmut drove up to meet up with us we went for a walk along the avenue and toured the hotel - I couldn't remember a thing about living here other than the video game room which is now gone. 

We nearly gate crashed a wedding in the hotel - but from fear of getting arrested and the fact that I was wearing flip flops and obviously not a wedding member we left to get some food at the Purple Pig on Michigan Ave. Food was alright and certainly not worth the hype and long line we had to wait in to get a seat - but the company was good.

As I said before, the city is huge and the place we stayed - near Millennium Park is really touristy. You have to really know someone who has lived here to really experience what's out there and not end up in a slum. We walked about the city after my step-dad left and got in some good pics along the water front. I've had a lot of fun times up here, and now I have memories of being up here w/ Maria.

Ok, this was my first time to the Art Institute! I've been wanting to come here for years and as luck would have it - got sick, museum closed, not enough time etc. . . I never seemed to make it. The museum reminds me of the Louve - where you walk along and every three seconds you have to rubber neck as you spot yet another famous and priceless painting or exhibit. What really impressed me was the Van Gogh above of the "Drinkers." I've never seen this one before and it is in such contrast to the usually more serious nature of Van Gogh's work. Loved it - and  could also relate to it.

Our last night in town we hit "The Terrace" in Trump Towers - the view was amazing. The food nasty and the drinks overpriced. But, I figured for our last night it was worth it. For anyone out there who is planning a trip to Chi-town - do yourself a favor, get a hotel away from touristy Michigan Ave, make sure parking is included, and realize that Chicago prides itself on serve massive portions with each meal. Also give yourself plenty of time to check out the city and limit the activities you do to one or two a day or you will find yourself exhausted. While I love to visit this place - I'm not sure I could live here - perhaps I was just missing home and that view of the Golden Gate.