Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Day 19: Chicago
June 14: Okay, so I've worked out that summers round here are just hot and humid and it doesn't change, as today it's the same!
First, I went with the group down to Navy Pier to do an architecture cruise. Learnt about the four styles - School of Chicago, Art Deco, Modernism, Post-Modernism - and saw a variety of buildings from the river, including the John Hancock Building, Wrigley Building and the Sears Tower from bottom to top. Hard to describe, but the architecture here is amazing and the diversity is one of a kind.
Said farewell to my Contiki tour (it officially ended yesterday but I was allowed to do the optional cruise)... before walking down to the Pier.
Then I headed to the Art Institute of Chicago, to get out of the heat and because it's free on a Tuesday. There, I saw miniature houses, sculptures, Egyptian/Asian/African/Greek artefacts, impressionist art, modern day American works, photography exhibitions and more. Learnt a little about Frank Lloyd Wright there too as well as other famous architects.
(By the way, even though Chicago is known as 'the windy city', the name has nothing to do with wind - it was about gaining popularity for Chicago after the great fire, and with all the amazing architecture.)
Had brief walk down to see the very large Buckingham Fountain, before enjoying a shopping experiece along Michigan Avenue (Gap, in particular).
In the evening, I managed to get tickets to the sold out Cubs match at Wrigley Field. Jason came too. Great to see the Cubs win 14-0 against the Florida Marlins. The atmosphere was electric, and this field is one of the most historic and well-known in the US. (The Contiki group went to a White Sox match at US Cellular Field as they couldn't get ticket to this one.) Had a drink at the famous 'Cubby Bear' pub afterwards before returning home.
Had a nice chat to Gila and Joe, had a moment holding the 2-month old Azriel (Adin was asleep already), showed them some photos of friends, family and Sydney, as well as our family tree. Loving Chicago.
First, I went with the group down to Navy Pier to do an architecture cruise. Learnt about the four styles - School of Chicago, Art Deco, Modernism, Post-Modernism - and saw a variety of buildings from the river, including the John Hancock Building, Wrigley Building and the Sears Tower from bottom to top. Hard to describe, but the architecture here is amazing and the diversity is one of a kind.
Said farewell to my Contiki tour (it officially ended yesterday but I was allowed to do the optional cruise)... before walking down to the Pier.
Then I headed to the Art Institute of Chicago, to get out of the heat and because it's free on a Tuesday. There, I saw miniature houses, sculptures, Egyptian/Asian/African/Greek artefacts, impressionist art, modern day American works, photography exhibitions and more. Learnt a little about Frank Lloyd Wright there too as well as other famous architects.
(By the way, even though Chicago is known as 'the windy city', the name has nothing to do with wind - it was about gaining popularity for Chicago after the great fire, and with all the amazing architecture.)
Had brief walk down to see the very large Buckingham Fountain, before enjoying a shopping experiece along Michigan Avenue (Gap, in particular).
In the evening, I managed to get tickets to the sold out Cubs match at Wrigley Field. Jason came too. Great to see the Cubs win 14-0 against the Florida Marlins. The atmosphere was electric, and this field is one of the most historic and well-known in the US. (The Contiki group went to a White Sox match at US Cellular Field as they couldn't get ticket to this one.) Had a drink at the famous 'Cubby Bear' pub afterwards before returning home.
Had a nice chat to Gila and Joe, had a moment holding the 2-month old Azriel (Adin was asleep already), showed them some photos of friends, family and Sydney, as well as our family tree. Loving Chicago.
# posted by mishij @ 7:50 AM 
