As promised, we took Ninang Angela to Chicago when she arrived in Indianapolis for a business trip. We picked her up after office hours on Friday night and drove straight to Illinois for our Big City Adventure.
Our guide and guard towards Chicago.
On the way, we drove through Chick-Fil-A in Lafayette for our dinner (Ninang's first time), and then after a couple of hours arrived at our hotel, the Marriot Courtyard, at around 10pm. We decided to go to bed so we can start our pasyal bright, fresh, and early tomorrow.
The following day [after dropping off a couple of pasalubong boxes at Forex for my cousin Alyssa] we went directly to Sears Tower, the mecca of Chicago tourists. Unfortunately, the line was a bit long. Not wanting to waste time, we took the double decker bus and did the tour of the city. We got the hop-in-hop-off special so we were able to get off at the different stops and take pictures, hehe.
Btw, the Chicago White Sox won the World Series. :D
First Stop: Theater District
We got off in front of Walgreens and walked the length of the theater district. Along the way, we saw the pretty sculptures and architecture that gave the city its unique character.
For example, this sculpture donated by Pablo Picasso to Chicago has become a true landmark. Although unnamed, it has been commonly refered to as 'Chicago Picasso'. It stands (donning a Sox cap, of course) in front of the city's Daley Center.
Also, the spire of this Presbyterian church is so picturesque and interesting.
Now, onto the theaters...
The historic Chicago Theater.
Ninna reading the marker of Chicago theater. Genius di ba?
The Palace Theater.
The Oriental Theater was currently playing Wicked The Musical, which Mama and Ninang wanted so badly to watch (because Mama is a fan of the novel's writer, Gregory Maguire, and Ninang is so easy to 'invite'). But...
Oh no! Sold out! Aww. Kodakan na lang.
Malling, instead? Why not! Let's get to it before Macy's completely takes over!
It was such a nice day to walk along the city's streets. It wasn't as windy or cold (although Ninang disagrees, of course), and there weren't too many tourists (unlike when the first time Papa, Mama and I visited Chicago).
Chicago is also so pretty in the Fall.
Second Stop: Millenium Park
The bus dropped us off the side of the Millenium Park, so the first thing that greeted us was the Pritzker Pavillion, which is said to be the most sophisticated outdoor concert venue in the US. It is also probably the most stunning we've ever seen.
Diba stunning?
The Jay Pritzker Pavillion
My parents won't stop projecting. Sigh.
Free! Now this is more like it!
Maybe I'll be as great a photographer as my Papa and my Ninang.
Come on, let's move on to The Big Bean.
Oh sorry, it's supposed to be a gate. It's actually called The Cloud Gate on the SBC Plaza mainly because it mirrors the clouds moving over the city. Nice!
It also mirrors the images of picture adiks, hehe.
Downtown on the Bean.
30 North Michigan. Mama's ex-office.
Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to see the other features of the Park. At least, there will be some things to look forward to for next time.
Third Stop: Michigan Avenue
Lunch time! Where best to find a food court? Hehe. But first, pictures galore!
Across the street is the Chicago Tribune Building. Very vintage.
One of the most breathtaking buildings on the block, the Wrigley Building boasts of Spanish and Rennaissance inspired architecture. Ganda!
We had lunch at the food court of Nordstrom's Building. Ambience, dahlings. Afterwards, we didn't waste anymore time (note: no shopping) and promptly boarded the bus going to our next destination.
Fourth Stop: The Museum Campus
The Museum Campus along Lake Shore Drive houses the world-renownedField Museum, named after it's benefactor (and Chicago's richest guy) Marshall Field (yes, the mall guy). Mama thinks Sue (the giant dinosaur skeleton) will just scare me so we didn't go in. Perhaps when I'm older (but not yet fossilized, I hope!) I might just pay her a visit.
Also situated within the Campus is Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears.
This is the Adler Planetarium. Mama wanted to go in and take a look but that would take up too much of our time. Again, saved for later. :)
View of Downtown from Adler.
View of Downtown from Adler with Supermodels.
Together with the Adler Planetarium and the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium is also one of the best of its kind in the country.
Fifth Stop: Sears Tower
We arrived at the Sears Tower past sunset, so Ninang got this view from the Skydeck.
Go White Sox!
Sixth Stop: Navy Pier Park
A chilly walk in the (Navy Pier) Park for Ninang.
Btw, it was also nearing halloween so it was also a scary walk down the Pier amidst vampires, ghosts, and werewolves. Nevertheless, we scared them all off with our scary masks. (Oh, ok, we didn't have masks, hehehe)
The famous McDonald's Ferris Wheel.
Maybe we could have a formal dinner at The Odyssey (this restaurant/boat) someday.
The Shakespeare Theater.
Chicago's nightime skyline. Nice!
Last Stop for the Night: Museum Campus (Again)
Ok, we had to go back to the museum campus, because the avid photographers in our group wanted to see...
This.
The city of Sox supporters.
Pahabol Stops
The next day, our trip ends. But not without dropping by our favorite landmarks:
Here.
And here. Bulls fans still.
This inscription on Michael Jordan's statue at the United Center is a fitting end to our mini-excursion with Ninang Angela here in the US. All moments of perfection, like being with the best of our friends, must always come to an end. But it is in building priceless memories that we remember them in our hearts always.
See you again soon, Ninang! :)