It has a funny look, that word. Big and round at one end, with a foot trailing in the mud at the other. One of those words that makes no sense if you say it enough. Chicago
shicago sh'kaago. What the hell is that? A city? A state of mind? Something unpleasant done to someone who's asked for it? I've never been within a thousand miles of it. The sound makes me think of great buildings steady against the wind, heavy woolen overcoats, an attitude of fearlessness; trains rumbling on the El, sleet chasing couples into blues bars, impossibly bright sunshine fading to blue over a freshwater inland sea.
No one goes to the Chicago of my mind but to work, or to enjoy working class pleasures: food, music, baseball, football. Maybe now there is windsurfing too. Chicago is at the top center of the country, the pushpin that holds America to the bulletin board.
I've never been there. My first time will be right after Thanksgiving. I will not quite be attending a
conference, doing things for my job, about which details are superfluous. How much of the weekend is spent working and how much getting to know The Loop will be determined by events. I'm taking the
Mz. We're looking forward to it.
No one goes to the Chicago of my mind but to work, or to enjoy working class pleasures: food, music, baseball, football. Maybe now there is windsurfing too. Chicago is at the top center of the country, the pushpin that holds America to the bulletin board.
10 comments:
You're going to have so much fun. Chicago is a fantastic city in pretty much every way, and most especially for the food. Where are you staying? Hm. You probably don't want to announce it to the world. :) If it's a work trip, I hope you're staying someplace expensive. The Rennaissance in Chicago is my favorite hotel in the country. The Westin there is very nice too. I spent a lot of time in Chicago hotels during my consulting days, since it was the center of my region and I had to travel there twice a month or so.
Oh, and take the El from the airport. Seriously. Take you half the time of a cab.
[edit that one ... heh.]
Friend who lives here says San Francisco ain't no city. Chicago, now, ... THAT'S A CITY. He talks of moving ... but he stays.
One of my fondest memories of Chicago (I was there for a conference, setting up computers, running demos, tip-tap, softshoe menny, menny years ago) is sitting at the dining counter at the Palmer House Hotel, eating breakfast -- lox (lots and LOTS of lox they gave you) and bagels and cream cheese -- whilst watching a cockroach walk up the wall behind the guy who was running the counter.
The roaches in my bathroom were probably twenty-fifth generation.
That said, my beloved step-daughter lives in one of the 'burbs and we visit when we can. Chicago is a toddling town.
Good god. Bring warm clothes. A LOT OF WARM CLOTHES. Especially the Mz. Have stuffed pizza at Giordano's. Visit the Museum of Science and Industry. Check out Water Tower Place. Used to be a good seafood restaurant on the lower level and a wonderful deli at the top. Sears Tower. Live dangerously and go a-drinkin' on Rush Street one night. Check out the windiest corner of the city: Lake Shore Drive and Sheridan Road. That's where I used to live!
Never been to Chicago?? Well, it's high time, sir! One of my favorite places here is Millennium Park right in the Loop - which admittedly is more pleasant in the summer - but still super cool in winter (free ice skating rink and all).
Museums are great - absolutely agree with Museum of Science & Industry, as well as Shedd Aquarium, King Tut is at the Field Museum right now, Museum of Contemporary Art, Art Institute of Chicago... should I just be quiet now?
Hope you have a great time!
You will LOVE Chicago. It's one of my favorite, favorite cities. Definitely listen to Paula's advice on some things to do, and I'll add a few: dinner at Shaw's Crab House on Hubbard Street. I absolutely love that place. And, of course, the Art Institute on Michigan Avenue, which has a stunning collection. And if you like blues music (you CAN'T go to Chicago if you don't like the blues), by all means visit Kingston Mines on Halsted.I don't know if she still owns it, but it used to be BB King's daughter's place. The music is incredible and the ambience is nicely shabby. Have a great time!
P.S. You'll only be 3 hours away from me. :-)
Nobody: My company is tight with its billions and only approves one downtown hotel, and it's booked. So we'll be staying out by O'Hare. I completely missed out on the days of large expense accounts. :(
Sal: I can imagine that SF suffers by comparison except I cannot imagine ever leaving, if I lived there.
Paula: Isn't a windbreaker over my t-shirt enough?
Jenny: Neat-o pictures! Will definitely look for the silver jelly bean. Accdg to this googlemap, that park is 2mi from where I'll be working (McCormick), so I don't know exactly how things'll shake out.
PJ: We've always been big on the blues. Is that three hours by car, or 1200 baud modem? :)
We've always been big on the blues.
"I was born in Chicago in nineteen and forty-one.
Well, my father told me, "Son, you had better get a gun"..."
-R
shi-KAH-go is certainly a very interesting city...i was there in september for the annual out and equal conference, and only had a limited amount of time to see the city, but the highlight of the trip, which was the day we left ;-), was the Millenium Park.
This place was just really quite awesome - check out the pics.
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