[Recycled Web Page 4/25/13]
Why waste a good page?
CHICAGO CALLING!
THERE IS NO QUESTION CHICAGO, also known as Chi-Town to both local folks and strangers is the "Jewel of Lake Michigan." Chicago (Checagou) is an Indian word with many confusing meaning - Wild Onion, Skunk, Strong, Powerful, Mighty or Great. Once the city of the "untouchables" in the long bygone days of Al Capone it has become the magnet to many different nationalities - the result of the big come on here of the late 60s, 70s and 80s. Nationals from Europe, Southeast Asia, South America, Middle East and from all four corners of the world are welcomed with open arms once they have touched down at O'Hare, it's busiest airport and still far more superior in technological beauty and size. I myself feel good every time I pass through the United Airlines arrival concourse with its colorful blinking lights. I have landed and I'm home. It was renamed in 1949 after Lt. Comdr. Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a WW II flying ace-hero. The original name was Orchard Field and if travelers check their luggage tag they'll see the letters ORD. Well, there will come a time in the future that the airport name might change to O'Bama International Airport in honor of the 44th US President. Founded in 1833, it has now a population of 2.7 millions. There were only 350 persons in 1833. By 1850 a mix caboodle of Irish, Germans and Poles came from Europe and staked their claimed to the city. Chicago rose from the ashes of the great fire of 1871 with the aftermath of $196 million of properties gone, 250 killed and 90,000 people left homeless. Only the water tower was left standing. The whole conflagration was blamed on poor Mrs. O'Leary when a lantern was kicked over by her cow. It was pure legend and proven wrong later on by historians. By 1950 came the Russians, Ukrainians, Lithuanians, Jews, Italians and Swedes. By 1960 and 40 years later the Chinese, Filipinos, Koreans, Indians and Vietnamese kind of took over the neighborhood of the previous occupants. The Village of Skokie used to have Jewish majority but the neighborhood drastically changed in the 80's. No other town is so convenient, so right here and there and everywhere: no long drive, two world-class airports, 5-star hotels, many theaters with fantastic shows and other amenities. Visitors are at home once they arrive with friendly multicultural groups welcoming them. The cornucopia of yummy dishes from ethnic restaurant kitchens are always burning hot and ready to feed the hungry hordes. It's the most beautiful city in the United States especially during winter. So cool , so blue and so neat, no graffiti. Modern skyscrapers designed by world famous architects first originated in this city. Chicagoans enjoy the four seasons and the happy medium it offers - not too hectic like New York and not too laid back like Los Angeles. It has a railway system that goes all the way the heart of the city forming a rectangle or a "loop." Let's go loop the loop. If there's a must-see place in the whole of America - it's Chicago. The town's nickname of 'Windy City" proved to be true in my case: I had to hold to a pole whenever the wind blows heavily into the city. Some say it got its name because of its politicians, mostly Democrats, who are pompous and bombastic. The current mayor is Rahm Emanuel.
Michigan Avenue Landmark
Many tired travelers, conventioners and tourists choose the 5-star hotels in Michigan Avenue, the Magnificent Mile. There are 460 designer stores (2007?), yummy restaurants and deep/thin pizza places.
Wrigley Building
Marina Towers
Trump Tower - The penthouse is for sale with a down payment of $35 million
Lake Point Tower
Willis Tower (Sears)
Soldier Field
McCormick Place
Just south and down the road of the Field Museum is McCormick Place. Big conventions and popular shows are held all-year round but the Chicago Auto Show is the biggest and tops them all every first or second week of February. It's a Chicago a-go-go all the time with the zoom-zoom and hot wheels. I love the Lotus.
Field Museum
The museum features artifacts from antiquities, a few mummies, and the most complete pictorial history of Filipinos in Chicago. Sue the T-Rex - original of what was left is prominently displayed outside and inside the museum. The museum needs urgent funding in order to survive. I haven't been there since 1989.
Shedd Aquarium
The sea and sky of Chicago has the Shedd Aquarium (you don't have to go to the Amazon River to see piranhas or baby beluga whales and the new $45 million wild Philippines Coral Reef featuring 500 species of fish
Statue of Copernicus
Adler Planetarium
Enjoy the elegant universe and milky way
Museum of Science and Industry
It's the architectural wonder of the Columbian Exposition. My old apartment was just across the street when I was living on the south side and was a regular visitor when it was still free. It's wonderful to see the NASA Space Module, U2 German Submarine (got as far from Germany to Chicago) and the Christmas Tree from Around the World during the holiday season.
Art Institute of Chicago
It has the collections of modern and impressionist painters and previous exhibits of The Vatican Collection and King Tut Treasures.
Chicago Skyline
My most awesome sight as a long-time resident of this city was driving one morning to work. I take different routes to my job and that day the morning sun rays were shining on the downtown skyline giving that golden splendor and it was a real sight to behold. It can only be seen and captured photographically if you're driving to the top of the ramp from the south side of Chicago.
Chicago is really and truly a cool city. A few years ago, I was traveling with a tour group and we stopped for a mid-day lunch in the wine region of Beaune, France. An elegantly-dressed lady at the next table asked me where I was from. There was a short pause for I usually don't know what to answer - shall I say from the Philippines or USA? I finally said Chicago. She told me she was just in Chicago a few months earlier and saw the Al Capone exhibit. I knew then she was in Chicago!
Lake Shore Drive
Chicago has 20 miles of Lake Michigan front called LSD from north to south
Navy Pier
Located east of Michigan Avenue, it has a permanent 150-foot-high Ferris Wheel, a musical carousel, Chicago Children's Museum, IMAX theatre, indoor botanical garden, Shakespeare Theatre, Skyline Outdoor Performance Pavilion (popular venue of Filipino pop singers). Board one of the boat cruises if you have time to spare and enjoy the short ride to see the panoramic view of the city.
Previous Publication 3/7/08
This is Chicago chic-a-go-go for you to see. I just created the video
and I'm sharing it with you because you're special. The skyline
sublime. The weather so cool. The people, most especially the LAB
TECHS, so dedicated and divine! No doubt in my mind, Chicago will be the
home of the Summer Olympic Games in 2016. As a longtime residence of the
windy city, I've seen the beautiful change, thanks to its longtime Mayor -
Richard M. Daley. Happy St. Patrick's
Day!
CLICK;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQJnJzb7qpY
Forwarded by World Traveler Josie PL: She plans to visit Victoria Falls in 2011...and swim!
