Fatten up before visiting the Windy City, Chicago

After completing my first draft of my manuscript on Oct 21, a deadline which I gave myself, I went for a vacation in Chicago, Illinois. As I had been working on it for months, I needed a break so I could revise it after this trip with comments from my supervisors.

On Oct 22 (Wed), I nearly missed my flight as I had forgotten to check the schedule for the MARC train. My flight was to depart at 9.21 am and I was still not check-in at 8.30 am. It did not helped that the train was traveling slower than usual because of a delay ahead!

Upon reaching the Baltimore-Washington International Airport Station, there were only two cabs in sight. I intended to hail the first cab but the money-minded driver said he would not take me and told me to wait for the free shuttle to the terminal. Shortly, another passenger came and he took off, earning $55. How I knew he earned $55 was because I had to listen to the second cab driver complaining that I should have sat in the first cab, without telling him where I was going. Initially, he also said that he was not going to take me. I told him I would pay him $20 for the short trip to the terminal and he relented. After he had cooled down, we chatted about the weather and where I came from. He seemed to be a nice guy; he was just irritated by the work ethics of the first cab driver.

Due to security rule concerning fluids on flights, I had wanted to check-in my haversack but was told that the gate was closed. After getting my boarding pass, I ran quickly towards security, inquiring a Transportation Security Administration officer if I could bring my tubes of moisturizers and a used bottle of Cepacol spray for relief of sore throat. She said they were fine after checking them but I did not zip up the side pocket containing the fluids and passed my haversack through the x-ray machine. There was a fluid alert after my haversack went through and the officers checked that they were less than 3 ounces (100 ml).

After security clearance, I 'flew' to my departure gate and arrived in the nick of time. It was boarding my section. During the 2-hour flight, I read up a Chicago 2000 travel guidebook on places-of-interest and transportation maps, hoping nothing big had changed.

On arrival at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, I gained 1 hour because Chicago is in the central time zone. The airport had five terminals and I had to navigate through the big maze to take the blue line subway. Thinking I would hop on and off the public transportation a lot, so I bought a 3-day visitor pass ($12). It took about 50 minutes to Downtown.

I headed towards Chicago Cultural Center which was a former public library but is now a cultural center and has a visitor information center. The interior design is beaux-arts style and the 38-foot dome in the Preston Bradley Hall is the world's largest Tiffany stained-glass dome, worth an estimated $35 million. Music lovers can attend free concerts during weekdays at 12.15pm.

From the visitor center, I chose a river architecture cruise along Chicago River where a certified guide gave anecdotes of tall skyscrapers along the river. The wind was chilly. Behind me in the background is Sears Tower (with two poles).

While walking along the street, I noticed staircases leading down. I decided to investigate and saw it was a separate 'world' of streets and garages, lit by lamps. There was a bum who saw me taking pictures and headed toward me. I fled up the stairs before he came near to me.

I also saw Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate at the Millennium Park. I liked his work after seeing them at Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art. People were amazed at the visual effects standing under the Cloud Gate. Other interesting features include the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, BP Bridge, The Crown Fountain and The Lurie Garden.

At dusk, I had intended to go up Sears Tower to take pictures of sunset. My plan was upset when I was held up, having to go through Sears Tower presentation. It is the tallest building in the Northern Hemisphere and the third tallest building in the world. The sun had set when I was at the Skydeck. I tried my best to capture the twilight with Chicago lit up while holding my breath to prevent blurring.

I checked in to my hotel around 9.30 pm and was exhausted. My cough was worse after a grueling day of sight-seeing and the cold air. I had caught a cold in the freezing water after my intermediate white water kayaking trip on Oct 19.

Early next morning, I had complimentary breakfast at my hotel. I set out around 8 am which was too early for any attraction to be opened. I decided to walk from Diversey Parkway towards Downtown.

First in the list was Lincoln Park where I visited The Notebaert Nature Museum which had a free admission for that day. It had environmental exhibits catered toward children. However, I enjoyed taking pictures of butterflies in the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven.

Next, I visited the Lincoln Park Zoo which is free and opens 365 days. The animal exhibits are good, considering it is free. I managed to see wolves up close since I did not see any during my Yellowstone trip. Bald eagles were within camera shot. I detoured to the Lincoln Park Conservatory which houses tropical palms and ferns before finishing the 35-acres zoo.

Some of Chicago’s most expensive real estate and and most historic architecture can be found in the neighborhoods of State Parkway, Lake Shore Drive, and Astor Street, nicknamed The Gold Coast. Residents living along Lake Shore Drive could have a good view of the stupendous Lake Michigan.

There were actually choppy waves in the lake which resembled those at sea. The water was cold and wind was strong.

Thereafter, I walked along the Magnificent Mile, akin to New York's Fifth Avenue. I also visited John Hancock Observatory since I did not take pictures of Chicago at daylight. Visitors could also drop by the Old Water Tower and Pumping Station to inquire at another visitor information center.


As the weather forecast for Thursday night would be raining, I did not want to wander in the rain or stayed at my hotel. So, I thought of catching the musical, Wicked in the evening. I traveled to Ford Oriental Theater three times. First, when I wanted to buy the ticket; but at $90, I was not keen. The cashier told me I could enter for a lucky draw at 5.30 pm where a pair of tickets at $25 could be won. Second time, I turned up for the lucky draw after completing my Magnificent Mile tour. I was the second winner and this was my second win in 32 years. Between then and the show, I wanted to try the deep-dish pizza for dinner. I walked towards Pizzeria Uno where I had to wait 1 hour for the pizza to be cooked because of its thickness. I had to settle for McDonald's.

I was impressed by the elaborate interior design of Ford Theater and was taken aback when I entered the hall. It had long drapes of velvet curtains and richly ornamented walls, chairs, etc. Forty winners of the lucky draw got to sit on the two front middle rows of the theater where I could even see the mole on an actress. I enjoyed the story of how the Wicked Witch became 'wicked' with reference to the Wizard of Oz story. It was raining when the musical ended.

On Friday Oct 24, I went to Navy Pier which is a great place for kids to hang out. With plenty of time to spare, I tried to have the famous deep dish pizza. There was no long line like the previous night and I sat at the bar counter. I was recommended the express personal pizza which took 25 minutes. The depth measured about 1.5 inches.

Thereafter, I visited Grant Park where the Buckingham Fountain was under renovation. The rest of the afternoon was spent at the Art Institute of Chicago which houses a good collection of famous works like Van Gogh's. The paperweight collection was colorful and intricately designed.

I had wanted to taste home food when I saw the Penang Restaurant in Chinatown. However, it ran out of business and I ate at a Chinese restaurant.

Overall, I was impressed by the architecture of Chicago and the good transportation system. The weather was chilly. It is best to fatten up so as not be blown away by wind and to insulate against the cold in the Windy City.

Butterflies pictures.

Chicago pictures.