Category Archives: Back in US
It’s not New York. But Chicago…
Yes, Chicago comes in a close second. Chicago in the summer, that is.
I came for business and stayed for a fun-filled weekend with friends in the city.
The weather was perfect – the kind that Southern California is always crowing about (and Chicago is not). And when it’s like that, Chicago comes out to play. In droves.
Chicago actually becomes unbeatable.
When you think about it, this is such an underrated city. Like the Midwest, in general. Taking on the solid, down-to-earth, unassuming qualities of a typical Midwesterner.
Yet it has everything. In droves. Chicago really deserves more respect!
It has fabulous architecture. Surrounded equally by land and water. Fantastic shopping. Super dining. Awesome music. Not to mention lots of opportunities to walk and to play. And did I say, warm and friendly people?
Now, if this visit had been in winter, I just might be singing a different song. But in the summer. ..
Why, I would rate Chicago in summer right up there as one of the best, must-see places in the world to visit before you die. No question!
Of course, you might need friends like mine – Jan and Tom – to really show you a great time. Thanks guys for going all out to show me the city that you so obviously love – my visit was wonderfully, absolutely memorable!*
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* Even the six mile Sunday walk in the sun; I know I needed the exercise! Come to think of it, I walked more this weekend than I have in a long, long while. About time!
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And here are the pictures to prove everything I said above:
[Click on one to see a slide show]
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- Beautiful Chicago – captured from my friend’s balcony
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- Live Concert on Friday night at Millennium Park. Wine, cheese, friends and live music – wonderful!
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- Captivating view of Chicago’s skyline with Lake Michigan in the foreground
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- Chicago is ready to sail!
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- Shopping down the magnificent mile; Michigan Avenue. Any time spent here is too little!
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- Lunch at a “Pour House” on Michigan Avenue…Draft beer anyone?
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- The Boat Tour by Chicago’s Architectural Foundation – what a great experience!
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- So much to see and admire on the tour!
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- Kayaking down the river…in the city center
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- Famous Soldier Field
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- More than just buildings in this beautiful city…how about a walk in the park?
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- An architect’s dream city…
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- And now for a walk along the pier
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- Time to try another place for dinner
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- Yep, we found it!
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- Downtown Chicago…fun weddings are not limited to NYC!
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- Saturday night, dinner at The Boarding House; “the place to see and be seen” – Light fixture made of hanging wine bottles in the dining room
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- And a hanging crush of wine glasses over the bar; food and drink is secondary to the ambience
New York On My Mind
Three years ago when I first moved to Mumbai for my two year stay there, I remember writing a post that compared that city to the big apple. Today, I can call it my highly romanticized post. I was looking at Mumbai with rose colored glasses (because I needed to). Definitely.
I also recall the period in my life a few years before that when I was thinking about the distant future quite seriously and after a couple of decades of living in small town, USA (in the south no less), I decided that I was going to retire in New York City. I was going to live right there in the middle of Manhattan in my twilight years so I could feel its energy and have a completely contrasting life experience.
After that brief period of craziness (in other words, every one I knew told me I was crazy), I abandoned that dream.
Now, well I am not so sure it was that crazy of an idea.
Last week, I spent a bit of time in “the city” after a long, long while. Granted it was for a very special occasion, but now I still have New York on my mind.
I can tell you with complete confidence that there is not a single, other city in the world anything like it. Nothing compares. Nothing.
Its energy is pulsating, palpable. It’s a living, breathing, dancing being. That’s what it is.
There is so much to do, people to watch, lots to see, loads to experience!
My time in New York on this recent trip was all too brief.
But it has me thinking. I do believe that I need to revisit my period of craziness after all.
(Anthony Weiner notwithstanding,) New York, New York – you simply rock!
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Photo Credit –
Statue of Liberty: By Kadellar (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons
The Yin and Yang of Life Anywhere 