Chicago Part 1

Our good friends Nefilinda and Fernando decided to just drop by and visit us. It took them about 16 hours to drive to drop by so we decided we better make it worth their while and went to explore the grand city of Chicago! We were being extra adventurous and took the train to the  big city which did end up being a lot more relaxing for everyone than driving. Alexander got so excited to see the train. We had looked at plenty of trains in books and I had even taught him the sign for it, which he showed with great excitement when we boarded the train. It was a 5.5 hour trip up there, much of which was spent going up and down the aisles, waving at people.

This is Chicago's Union Station which I thought was beautiful. It was the craziest and busiest train station I had ever seen outside of Europe.

Outside of Union Station

Across the street from Union station, the famous Sears Tower (now Willis Tower). It is the tallest building in the Western hemisphere.

After dropping off our bags at the hotel we headed to the Contemporary art museum. I always love these museums because you never know what you are going to see. Some good, some weird, but also some that really get you to think.

My favorite was this exhibit where the artist used barrels of water in a dark room, to show reflections of what was happening in some villages in Africa. You could not see the pictures because they were hanging above the barrels pointing down. You had to move around and squat down to capture different parts of the images. Very creative!

This exhibit was called Yours and Ours.

Later that evening, the museum hosted a free jazz concert on the terrace. We could sit anywhere we wanted to in their sculpture garden and listen and relax. There was a huge turnout of young families with kids just soaking in the culture and the city at sunset. This is why I love big cities!

Nefilinda and I posing during the concert

Many of the nicer streets and boulevards were beautifully landscaped.

This was our dinner that first night: the famous Chicago deep dish pizza. One slice would do you, but that one slice was heaven!

Day 2: We enjoyed another free activity in Chicago: The Lincoln Park Zoo. Alexander loved looking at all the animals. His favorites were the monkeys and gorrillas because his favorite book right now is A day in the Jungle which showcases these primates. Dad also was enjoying the monkeys.

Gardens at the Zoo.

Waiting for our bus, I thought everyone had the look of, " We have been there, done that. 

We are experts at this now."

Alexander's first Merry Go Round ride. He picked the Cheetah all by himself.

Loving it!

On the way back to the hotel after the zoo. Fun but exhausting morning.

Part 2 to come....