Majestic Chicago

I am not sure why I like Chicago so much. I am usually more at home in ancient cities where the ghosts of yesterday mingle peacefully with people from the present. But Chicago draws me in – perhaps it’s the bright shops on Michigan Avenue; or the majestic skyscrapers looking down from their dizzying height; or perhaps it’s the breeze that blows in off of Lake Michigan …

I am not sure what it is. I do not know if I want to know what draws me to this vibrant city - except that it feels like I am being embraced by a gentle giant.

There is so much to do in this city that the three days we spent there this time did not even come close to us having enough time to see all the things we wanted to see. But we sure enjoyed every minute of it.

I was last in Chicago 8 years ago and it was nice to see that not much has changed. However, there were some additions to the city’s majestic skyline - like the new Trump Tower which was exactly opposite our hotel.

It felt nice to see, and recognize, some old landmarks like the Wrigley Building, Marina City and the Chicago Tribune Tower which were within walking distance of where we were staying.

 
An open-top double-decker bus tour around the city also took us close to such other landmarks as the Chicago Board of Trade, the Chicago Theatre and the John Hancock Building.

 

Then, towards the end of our tour, we got to see the oldest building in the city: the Water Tower, once the highest building in Chicago, nowadays it is dwarfed by the gigantic modern structures around it.

And when the day is done and the sun goes down, it is time to explore the enchantment of the thousands of lights that beckon and flicker, till dawn once again bathes Chicago in sunlight.