Chicago, a city we learned to love :-)

Hey there,

As you can see, or read ;), we are back !!

But before I tell you about our Chicago trip, here`s a visitor we`ve had ourselves in Etowah :)
@Nancy: I do not know if your mosquito net fancies him so much...

the `I like to be upside down-squirrel` :)

So then, the next morning, we were on the road again! We were so excited! Chicago was next! A city I had never been to and of which Davy didn't have any memories whatsoever :)

As you know us, we booked ourselves a private room, over airbnb, in Cincinati, mid-way to the windy city. Dean and his wife welcomed us to their home and we had the nicest chat in their living room right upon our arrival. Sadly enough we only stayed one night and left for Chicago the next morning, because Cincinati is a lovely city!

So what else to expect than seing davy and me in our own apartment, in Chicago, right on Oakdale street, near the Belmont train station. So we booked that apartment over airbn..., obviously :) ... But the thing we had not thought about was that, despite the great location, we were living right next to the `EL` (the elevated train). Now those of you who have lived in Barcelona or Paris, or even London or Milano will tell us that this is rather a good thing!

Hmmm... not if the train is pretty old and ratters loudly over the worn off tracks at rather high speed :) The only time those trains do not run on a ten minute basis is between midnight and 4 o`clock in the morning...

Right, the first night I got a good 3 and a half hour sleep. :) But you know, that's ok! That's Chicago!
Next morning, 1. getting up, 2. buying ear plugs, 3. get coffee and a bagel :)

We're all set, good to go, exploring the city!

Now, obviously, first day had to include the Loop walk, with the bean, the fountain, Millenium Park , and some shopping. :) We immediately fell in love with the windy city. It's not too big, people are very friendly, the city is so clean, they have running tracks and beaches right along side the lake shore... I do not want to say too much too soon, but if I had to go, Chicago would definitely be a place I could see us live :) (One always needs projects in life... :) )

Next day, Navy Pier, Gold cost and the Planetarium were on our list, and lots more shopping too :) On our way we added the Buckingham fountain by night and lots of bars in between. It was so much fun running around, visiting and most of all, living the city! Having our own apartment made us feel independent and free, just like being part of the city's community for a few days :) Awfully tired, we fell into our bed as soon as we had closed the door behind us!

So after lots of shopping (Victoria's secret, Timberland, Clarks, Hollister, AnF, etc), we took the elevator up to the Hancock tower's 96th floor's Signature Lounge (a bar, where the fee for going up is free if you have a drink) :) Beautiful views and a perfect strawberry shake!

A last drink at a bar near Oak and Rush street (place to be, as we could tell by all the nice cars driving by during after work hours...), a good night's sleep and we were good to go and continue our trip to Davy's family in Whitefish Bay. On the way, we took time to stop at the Art's museum, just to grab a bite at their restaurant (chick food as Davy's cousins would say :) ) and have a look at the amazing architecture of the building.

We arrived at 2pm, just in time for a glass of wine to toast to... hmmm... I guess holiday :) A stroll to the beach ended this fabulous afternoon, before everybody arrived.
Who is every body are you asking ? :) hey that was my question! 'No worries', did I tell myself... 'you've been studying names all along... you'll know who is who real quick' :)

And that was exactly how it was! All of Davy's aunts, uncles and cousins are so nice and welcoming, that you just have to like them as soon as you get to know them :) I guess you know now that it has been a wonderful evening, with lots of laughter and the warm, nice feeling of family... all around you :)

Even Chicago cannot top that :-)

So tomorrow, new schedule... but I'll tell you all about that on a new post in a few days!

XOXO

 A visit to the Lincoln Park Zoo :)

 

 

 

The rabbit, our friend, always somewhere to find, in Chicago :) 

The 'EL' 

The Bean :)

Millenium Park 

The Fountain we all know from the movies :)

North Avenue beach

The skyline at 8:30pm

 

The Buckingham fountain at 9:30pm

a drink at the 96th floor of the Hancock Tower 

Oak street beach 

Milwaukee Museum of Arts 

Walk on the Lake shore this afternoon :)