Chicago: Part 3 (Wednesday Night)

Sears Tower

I realize most of the things I did this trip were the same as last trip, but the Sears (err, Willis) Tower is one of those sites where it doesn’t hurt to go a second time.  We went a half hour before sunset, and let me tell you that it was worth it.  We stayed until nightfall.  I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

Daylight

 Skydeck

 Chicago River

 Lake Michigan

 Sunset

 Chicago River

 Lake Michigan with rising moon

 Dusk

 

 

 

Saved the best for last.

Moonlight on Lake Michigan shows different parts of the lake are frozen.

 

Portillo’s

We met up with Kon at Portillo’s after the Skydeck.  We got Chicago style dog: pickle spear, spicy peppers, relish, onions, tomato, mustard (no ketchup!) on a poppy seed bun.

Best followed with their signature chocolate cake.

B.L.U.E.S.

For authentic Chicago blues, Ayk and I headed to the north side of the city.  We wanted to go to Kingston Mines, but they were closed, thanks to the Health Department.

Comforting

Instead, we went to B.L.U.E.S., which is just across the street and owned by the same people.

While sipping some local beer and chilling to the music, I ran into Colleen, my adviser from Zeta.  Small, small world.

Colleen and me

We left the bar and head back to Kon’s in need of some sleep after a busy day.  G’night, Chicago!

 

Chicago: Part 2 (Wednesday Day)

 Wrigley Field

On my first trip to Chicago, I made a point to go to every site featured in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – one of my all time favorite movies.  I made it to all of the sites except Wrigley Field.  It was too far away by subway.  With a car, it was a quick drive.

Hey, batta, batta, batta!

 

Harry Carey: the patron saint of hot dogs

Athenaeum

We wanted to see an architecture museum, and found the Athenaeum on Google.  Turns out it wasn’t an architecture museum, but an old theater.

In the end, I think this was a better than any museum.

Water Tower

The Water Tower is one of the few buildings downtown that survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

Inside this historic landmark, we got a friendly tour from Mike.  Ayk was more interested in the mechanics involved; I was more interested in the aesthetics.  Hence why I have pictures and no recollection of how the operation actually works.

Cultural Center

This building boasts the largest Tiffany window dome alongside intricate mosaic walls. 

Here we watched a classical cellist and pianist perform.  For free.  This is why Chicago rocks.

The Bean

Yes, it is as cool as it looks.

Art Institute

When I went in March, I spent 5 hours here.  I saw every exhibit.  This time, we only spent 1 to 2 hours there.  Initially, we weren’t going to go until we found out that weekdays at the Art Institute are free in January and February.  We got to see priceless works of art.  For free.  This is why Chicago rocks.

Day 2: Cleveland

Cleveland: Home to a racially insensitive baseball mascot and a jilted basketball team.

This was a very quick stop.  More of an eh-might-as-well visit.  First thing we did was walking around the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Did we go in?  No.  Were we tempted to go in?  Sure.  That is until we saw two neon signs inside that said “Moby!” and “Gwen!”  We agreed that if those two artists were its draw, we’d pass.

Not pictured: enthusiasm.

Not pictured: rocking out to Moby or Gwen Stefani.

We drove to the Sausage Shoppe that Anthony Bourdain featured on No Reservations (I know I shouldn’t mention his name on my blog, but the man does go to some good spots).  To our dismay, it was closed.  We resorted to eating trail mix for lunch.

Why does this science museum look like a Lego man with a bowl cut?

Determined to end on a high note, we ventured to the nearby Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.  It didn’t look like there were that many animals out – understandably so, considering the time of year – but if they’re going to charge us $7 a person to see a few frostbitten animals, we’d rather save that money for the sunny San Diego Zoo.

Chilly pony friends

Cleveland was a rather disappointing experience, not that I went in with high hopes.  Before residents of Cleveland jump down my throat, I want to state for the record that I went in with an open mind, since I’m also from a small city with a bad rap.  But let’s face it: with all of the other destinations we have on this trip, Cleveland was rather low on our priority list.  We figured we’d give it a shot and, well, meh.

Honestly, if an out-of-towner said, "Meh" about Baltimore, I'd consider that flattery.

If you’re from Cleveland and there’s something we should have seen while we were there that would make us want to go back, now’s your time to do your city proud in the comments.

Day 1: Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh: Home of the Raven's arch rival, a baseball team that makes the O's look good and home to mi amiga April.

Pittsburgh is the last place I wanted to visit after our upsetting loss on Saturday, but never let football come between friendship.  The City of Bridges (I lost count there are that many) is a lot like Baltimore: a small, industrial and charming -- despite the lack of tourist attractions -- city on the water.  There's a reason why we're rivals, and it's not just because our football teams are evenly matched.

We started off at Point State Park where Canada Geese outnumbered humans 25 to 1.  Must be the cold weather.  Ayk and I were the only people there, so it was rather intimidating even if you're not afraid of birds.

After mingling with the geese, we headed to the Strip where we walked around for a few minutes.  Most of the shops were closing by the time we got there at 4:45PM.  I guess they're not expecting many customers to stop by after work, but it's not like I've managed a shop before or anything.

April, who I met while studying abroad in Spain, and her boyfriend Shawn meet up with us there and took us to Mt. Washington.  It has the same food, vibe and view as the Inner Harbor.  They took us on the Incline, which I mistook as the most terrifying staircase imaginable.

 

The last staircase you'd want to take drunk.

Turns out it's a cable railway, technically the phonetically amusing funicular, that was built to help the steel workers to get to the top of the steep hill.

 Inside the Incliner.

Even though April was afraid of heights, they took us to the top to get a spectacular view of the city of steel.

Ayk, me, April and Shawn

We planned to eat at Houlihan's (See?  Same restaurants as the Inner Harbor!), and even got appetizers there until I heard about the deliciously unhealthy sandwich stuffed with slaw and fries at local favorite Primanti Brothers.  It sounded too good to pass up.  And oh man was it a good decision to leave Houlihan's.  My only regret: not adding more hot sauce.

Despite being the home of the enemy Steelers, we had a great time in this  city and I'm glad our wonderful hosts didn't hold our loyalty to the Ravens against us.