We made it! To Chicago! After several (maybe 8) sleepless hours on the train, we rolled into Union Station this morning. Fortunately, Doug is directionally gifted so, minutes after our arrival, we threw our packs in a locker and were on our way to Millenium Park where we took goofy pictures with the bean (the goofiest) and started to get a feel for this city. This is my first time in Chicago, so I spent most of the day absorbing Chicago's energy, while Doug plowed through, asking for directions, finding our way, researching all the free must-sees etc. to afford us some pretty wonderful first time experiences. We found out (thanks to Siobhan's and her suggestions!) that the Museum of Contemporary Art is free on Tuesdays, so we headed there first and enjoyed the morning perusing an exhibit by Luc Tuymans. Afterward, we caught the red line downtown to Buddy Guy's Legends to hear some free live blue grass music, where we caught a bite of lunch and listened to Harmonica Hinds put on a great show (video below). Then the best surprise of the day: we connected with a friend of mine from Fresno (who went to Thailand with me three years ago!) and we were able to meet up at a little cafe called Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea for some steamed chai. It was SO wonderful to catch up with Staci and learn about her home here in Chicago! The three of us went back to the MCA where Doug participated in a Flash Mob* -- I'll let him tell you about that -- and I met a fellow traveler named Antonia from New Zealand.
A little bit ago, we caught a commuter train out to Algonquin to meet one of Doug's good friend's Justin, who we are staying with for the next several days/nights while we're in Chicago--thanks, Justin!
All in all, we are keeping a pretty quick pace and my body is revolting, probably because of little sleep and a lot of traveling lately, but also probably because of the tickle in my throat that has matured into a lame cold. Lots of Vitamin C for this girl. And some sleep in a bed! Grateful. More thoughts, less detail in my next post. Til then--shalom!
us
*Flash Mob (or Mash Flob, as they called it) was a chance to participate in somewhat of a performance, which included about 50 of us walking through the Luc Tuyman's exhibit and viewing the pieces by lying horizontally on the ground with our feet facing the pieces. We were also told to ask anyone else standing up to lay down with us. The artist who "choreographed" it, Carla Duarte, talked about looking at everyday things in a completely different way. Needless to say, it was HILARIOUS and quite an experience. Check out some of the pictures from the performance below.
*Flash Mob (or Mash Flob, as they called it) was a chance to participate in somewhat of a performance, which included about 50 of us walking through the Luc Tuyman's exhibit and viewing the pieces by lying horizontally on the ground with our feet facing the pieces. We were also told to ask anyone else standing up to lay down with us. The artist who "choreographed" it, Carla Duarte, talked about looking at everyday things in a completely different way. Needless to say, it was HILARIOUS and quite an experience. Check out some of the pictures from the performance below.
Sounds like a great time in Chicago! I remember taking goofy pictures with Becky Owen in Millenium Park and that amazing bean! so good. praying that a real bed and a few days in one place will help you feel better :)
ReplyDeletei like this flash mob business! without it I don't have a good excuse to look at art while laying down. :(
ReplyDeletechicago sounds fun! it's a great place.