Cultural Immersion

Those are some mean looking clouds!

"You know what they say about Chicago. If you don't like the weather, wait fifteen minutes."

--Ralph Kiner

That was quite true. The weather was very unpredictable. We've had days where there were sudden down pours in-between sunshine, or storms in the morning so I'd put on my wellies for work but the rest of the day was sunny...I didn't feel very smart wearing rain boots in the sun..

Chicago had a record breaking hail storm when we were there. Hail as big as a baseball!

Anyway, besides the weather that was ever so busy changing scenes, so was the city of Chicago! Chicago is one of those cities that come to life when summer hits! Tourists, festivals, fairs, concerts, everything!

An outdoor food festival, held at the Grant Park was more than 2 streets long of  delicious food from 50+ restaurants, showcasing the diversity of Chicago's dining community. Undoubtedly there were lots of pizzeria luring with their deep dish pizza, but I was drawn to Eli's Cheesecake! I'm not sure know why, I'm not normally a cheesecake person, but when I saw it.... I had to get one! In the end I had 2 slices of cheese cake that day, and another one another time I went back, then another when I saw it in Chicago's airport before leaving.  Don't miss it if you like cheesecake! It had a very rich flavor and creamy texture.

Lots of concerts were held at the Grant Park

And also Gold Coast Art Fair

Last photo before escaping the rain!

Dancing and singing Hindus promoting Yoga

Ahh... big city, more crazies

Art Institute of Chicago has the 2nd world's biggest collection of Impressionism, just behind Louvre Museum of France. Impressionism is my favorite art movement, I had to paid a visit to the museum, along with Gersh and Tanya. 

Van Gogh. I had a print of this painting as the cover of my binder for a year in high school!

Monet

Tanya and Gersh. Discovered that Gersh isn't a fan of pointillism...with a legitimate reason:
colorblind people have a hard time making those colors out, thus the painting.

Mummy duck calling to her ducklings. Check out the video above!

Chicago's architecture is famous throughout the world, in which there is one style that is referred to as the Chicago School (Commercial Style). A lot of the buildings along the Chicago River are historically significant, and so is the river itself, notable for being the reason why Chicago became and important location. River guided tours were very popular, especially the Architecture Tour among our friends.

Corn cob looking building

Just so you know, the weather was absolutely beautiful earlier in the day when we did the boat tour. It's true about the weather... next time you visit, make sure you have all seasons clothes!

Exploring Chicago

The most famous landmark was of course the Cloud Gate, nicknamed "the Bean", located at the AT&T Plaza in Millennium park, which was downtown within the Loop community area (historic commercial area). Designed by a British artist Anish Kapoor (cue in Gary's "Of couuursee, it's British, it's the best!"), was a very popular attraction. 

Adjacent to the plaza, was the Great Lawn and the bandshell, known as the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, was designed by Frank Gehry (Canadian-American architect). The Pritzker Pavilion hosted the Grant Park Music Festival, US' only remaining free outdoor classical music series, during the summer. It performed in the afternoon and evening, where friends, couples and families filled the lawn and enjoyed an evening of music and outdoor with food and wine. Besides the orchestra, the pavilion also hosts a wide range of performing arts. 

The BP Bridge, also designed by Frank Gehry, a pedestrian overpass that connects the both parts of the larger Grant  Park. The structure behind is the Great Lawn and the bandshell

An attraction that was especially popular with children was the Crown Fountain, which was also located next to the Bean. The pair of glass brick towers that stood opposite of each other was an interactive work of public art and video sculpture, that intermittently display faces on the two towers and water sprouts through a nozzle where the mouth would be. The fountain was also a public play area and offers people an escape from the summer heat, and allowing children to frolic in the fountain's water.

Sometime I forget that beaches existed even when there were no seas or oceans, but a lake. Located by Lake Michigan, Chicago has plenty of beaches including some in downtown!

Restaurant on Oak Street Beach. Review? Stay. Away.

Beach by the big shopping street/area, Magnificent Mile as they called it

Food wise, Chicago is famous for their deep dish pizza...which to be honest looks more like a quiche. We had it for dinner on our second day upon arriving. TV and pizza, mom and dad immersed straight into the American culture. However, ordering delivery is not the same as going to a restaurant, so we set out to Little Italy.

Except unfortunately there wasn't much there. I guess it would be more busy at night, as there were many fine dining restaurants that were only opened in the evening. 

My parents did a lot of exploring on their own. While Gary and I were still asleep in the morning, they would go out for a walk, shopping or take a random bus and stayed on until they see some interesting neighborhoods!

Walking by the shore and yacht club. The 3rd building from the right is our apartment.

Found Little Mexico, just pass Little Italy

Snacks from Mexican shop

One of the many channels that flow through the city

And of course a visit to the circus!

A Little Gem!

Minneapolis is a little small, that's why together with St. Paul, they are referred to as the Twin Cities. However small, we managed to find quite a few activities to occupy us for the 4 week city run + 1 week off in the beginning.

But it seemed like we can never escape the bad weather...We were still on Tornado Watch.

If only you can see how fast the clouds were going

Check out that funnel!

Although where we stayed was a little far out, we had a very nice and big apartment!

Living room looking from the entrance

An extra room! I set it up as my sewing room!!

Quite a peaceful view

Drove by the site and the Big Top is in the process of raising. In the foreground is the kitchen being set up.

A visit to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden to see Claes Oldenburg's Spoonbridge and Cherry

Because I so want that cherry

We were also introduced to Brit's Pub during our week off...which had quickly became a popular spot among fellow OVOs especially with the Brits of course! 

I've also played my first lawn bowling game at Brit's Pub (Zeca was surprisingly legendary at it), which was located on the terrace. I think I might have enjoyed it more than 10-pins bowling. 

Beautiful grass... it was like carpet!

That was also where we discovered an oh so refreshing, echoing its name: Crispin Cider. A crisp, clean fresh flavor, local to Minnesota. 

This is as described by Crispin Cider's website: 

Have only tried the Classic "Blue Line" cider. Don't pass out on it!

"Crispin Super Premium Hard Apple Cider, designed to be enjoyed over ice. Inspired by the classical, refined flavor styles of continental European cider making, Crispin "Blue Line" ciders are clean on the palate, with a crisp, not sweet, taste profile. They are deliciously untraditional with a strong "apple bomb" bouquet, fresh appley mouth-feel and pure & clean lingering aftertaste. Our ciders are not styled as traditional "sweet beers", they are not old-fashioned sweeter alternatives to beer, but sophisticated and crisp not sweet, dry and not "sticky" on the palate. And totally delicious over ice."

One of the nights during the week off we also made good use of our apartment and the kitchen...roast dinner with good friends!!

Where else have we been the first week...? Mmm of course the Mall of America! Second biggest mall in North America, as it is right across from site! More on that in a bit.