256- 267 Chicago Christmas display

While in Chicago, we went to the Museum of Science and Industry. I had never been there before, but it was actually quite fascinating. {Of course, my fascination only lasted through the big scene in the cafeteria...} Before the getaway was absolutely ruined, I managed to see the Christmas Around the World display at the MSI. The different culture groups in Chicago each decorated a tree for the display that represents their culture. Unfortunately, tripods were not allowed, so that led to shots that were less than spectacular, but I still really enjoyed the display. Here are the favorite pictures that I got at this exhibit:


 My absolute favorite tree was the Japanese tree. I must find out how to make these paper ornaments!


 

 Of course, I had to make a stop at the Mexican tree:


 I don't remember what tree the stars were on, but it was really sparkly and pretty too:


This tree was pretty with gold and purple.


Same view, two different focus points:

  I think these decorations added more to the room than anything else:

Chicago in December 250-255

I'm so happy to be out of the cornfield! I love Chicago and would move here in a heart beat except everything is so expensive and I don't think that finding a job as a Spanish teacher in Chicago would be the best move for me. I could definitely see me trying something new though, but what? I am always torn between my two loves of places to visit. I either want the biggest city with all sorts of culture and restaurants and places to go every night of the week, or...I want a beautiful beach that's sort of secluded with nothing but me, a little shack, an internet connection and a shower (or a waterfall that would serve as my shower...) If you find that place that lets me have the best of both worlds, please let me know. I also need the temp to stay between 68 and 78 degrees, year- round. Anyway, I'm in the city right now and we had quite the eventful day yesterday. First, we made it to Chicago by noon and went to Gino's East for lunch. Then, we strolled down Michigan Avenue until the kids spotted the Lego store and so we went there for a while. Then, we took a taxi over to the Briar Street Theater for the 5:00 show at Blue Man Group. We got there way too early and stopped for some hot chocolate/ coffee to take up some time, but couldn't find anywhere to sit, so we went strolling over in that area. Went to Blue Man Group, and it's such an amazing show! The kids really seemed to like it and so that was a good time. After that, we went up the Hancock tower so I could take some city shots at night. Then we went to dinner at an Irish Pub around the corner from our hotel and then we went strolling up and down Michigan Avenue again for some night shots of the Christmas lights. Here are some shots I got yesterday: The kids at the Lego Store. I asked if they wanted to go to the American Girl store, but no takers:


 Me and the kids at Blue Man--- obviously, I didn't take this one...


A shot from up in Hancock. There were so many glares on the windows it was hard to get anything too amazing.

 

Here's a wider shot.  Oh, city, how I love thee.



 An awesome {in my opinion} shot of the river. This is a bit of a long exposure, about 5 seconds, and the wind was whipping through the place, so it's not perfect, but I still like it.




Another long exposure standing in the middle of Michigan Avenue:


And one more shot of Michigan Avenue, a long exposure with a taxi that was standing still. Notice the door? A person got in the taxi, but you can't see the person because of the long exposure.


That's it for now. I still have many more pictures from today and we have a big day ahead of us!

Day 144 Chicago in Black and White

Some of my fave pictures from Chicago look the best in black and white. Here they are:






My absolute favorite from the trip:

Day 143 The best hot chocolate in the world!

So, sorry to be on the same thing yet again, but I'm still working on editing the pictures from Chicago and so I'm going to finish up with the pics for today's blog.

There were some people asking for money around the city of Chicago:


I always find them interesting.


Here is one of the little drummer boys doing his thing...


Here is another pic of the city from the drawbridge area where we spotted the homeless people and the drummer boys:


After all of that walking around, we did the Carnivale restaurant that night:





The next day, we checked out of the hotel and headed to Mindy's hot chocolate- This was the BEST hot chocolate I've ever had- in my life- I can't even explain the creamy goodness that the lady brought out. If I could only have one form of chocolate the rest of my life- it would be the hot chocolate that I had that morning:


After the special breakfast we headed over to Halstead Street to a store called the Brown Elephant. After we came out of that we started to get the picture that the area must be a popular spot for gay people. The rainbows were all over and then we ran into this store---LOVE IT!


The people inside were extremely nice and it was a fun little store with all kinds of little trinkets.
I took some pics of my friends "representing" their interests.
Joi- representing the shopping bags:


And Paige, trying to get a perfect shot:


After we left Halstead, we headed out and went to Ikea outside of Chicago. I'm officially hooked and hopefully one day I'll have my awesome lamp up and will get a picture up.
Chicago, Chicago, that toddling town, that marvelous town!

Day 142 Good food and the dirty naughty

After an absolutely amazing day doing touristy things, last night we went out for our big feast at Carnivale restaurant.  ♥Much love to JK for introducing this one to me♥- it is A*M*A*Z*I*N*G!!!
We started the night out with a raspberry mojito {delish} and then for an appetizer we had some Manchego cheese with house crackers, almonds and honey...{delish}.  Next, I had the Costilla de Res {braised short rib} with cheese polenta....O*M*G!!!!  Gosh darn it, I was in heaven!!!  Along with another mojito and wowsa! MMMMMMMM!  Joi never got to try churros y chocolate in Spain, so we ordered these and all shared some.  Pretty good.
I was so stuffed I couldn't move when we left there- it was pure craziness!

Joi managed to befriend every cabbie in Chicago that she came across.  This time, we found an Indian man who asked her what her husband called her as a nickname.  He said that his wife called him "sugar cane" when she was ready for "romance time" and come Monday morning she was calling him "dirty naughty".  This had us all cracking up in the cab, back at the hotel and several times today as we remembered it over and over.

Back at the hotel, aches and pains started setting in- the end of the 30s is quite rough on the old bod.  The neck and head and the left foot was just killing me.  We had originally planned to go out and take some night shots of Chicago and maybe hear a little music, but after all of the walking during the day, our meal that stuffed me to the brink of insanity, I was just ready to lay down and relax.  

 Hustley, bustley, Chicago:


Many more pics to come tomorrow.  I'm tired now and need to sleep!

Day 141 Chicago :)

I am having so much fun! Chicago is definitely the place for me! Just take a look at this soldier having fun with the street performer!



Or this picture in Millenium Park of a Chicago citizen- too bad the water isn't on...I wanted to see her spit!


Paige is still carrying around her moustache...miss you Mendy!


We headed to the Navy Pier-took a boat cruise up and down the riverfront and the girls got me to go up in the big, scary ferris wheel....


Love, love the Navy pier!


We kept seeing brides everywhere! This was an especially sweet shot!


Here's that goofy ferris wheel!!!




We are having so much fun! I ♥ US!


We had to take the typical touristy shot at Cloud Gate- otherwise known as the bean!


Probably one of my favorite moments of the trip- these boys pulled up their buckets and started drumming! Awesome!!!





I managed to get some motion blur on Michigan Ave- beautiful!

Days 138,139, 140 Cheating on the blog in Chicago

So I'm using Chicago to play catch up.  Here are the pics for  the last 3 days- Wed, Thur and today.  These were all taken today.



A face carved in at Gino's

Joi, Paige and I went to Chicago this weekend for a little girl time.  So far tonight, we managed to drive here, find the hotel, find Gino's, eat some pizza and get back to the hotel.  Along the way, we learned a few new words {cooky-balls}{hicking-out}, turned the wrong way down a one way street, and "lost" the city in the fog.  We also relied on "Gladys" the GPS to get us through, although she got confused and was telling us directions about 5 minutes too late.


The Poetry Garage- each floor a different poet is reading his poetry by the elevator

My girlies!


Yummy Gino's...{but I still like Pi better!}

I'm having a great time so far and I'm excited for tomorrow!  I love being a tourist!