Image courtesy of www.paultownend.com/
For more pictures of Chicago, visit http://www.paultownend.com/html/photos-chicago.htm
Chicago, a restless and fascinating city that has so much to offer its citizens and the rest of the world. But what exactly makes this city so special? Most chicagoland residents have experienced everything from the fun of countless sporting events to the painful reality of city traffic. But in order to fully appreciate this unique city, one must dig deeper. As a person who has lived all my life 30 minutes from the hustle and bustle of the city, I must admit I never realized that this city truly is a pearl resting on the shores of Lake Michigan. On our trip to Chicago, I felt I was given the opportunity to explore this jewel with fresh eyes and from a completely new perspective.
Our group was lucky enough to get the chance to explore the only building that survived the infamous Chicago fire, The Water Tower and its surrounding area. To the surprise of many classmates (most of whom were females), I had never been to Water Tower Place, but soon found out that it was an ideal location to do some serious shopping. The distance to this historic landmark from the train station was quite a walk, but well worth the trip. In the area directly surrounding the original Water Tower, we observed the types of people and activities that ultimately created the atmosphere. Although the park was mostly occupied by elderly folks that had come by to relax and enjoy their day, there were also a few businessmen and women busy chattering away on their cell phones. One could not help but overhear conversations taking place in both Spanish and Chinese, adding to the overall richness of the atmosphere. Although one could hear the sounds of the city, the park was quite calm and tranquil, making it a great spot to take a nap or read a newspaper.
The shopping malls and department stores comprising Water Tower Place gave the area a modern look that contrasted that of the actual Water Tower, whose castle-like structure and central pillar were no match for Macy's. However, the differences in architecture and the boom of commercialization were clear signs of just how far this city has come. After witnessing how a n intimidating, business-oriented city can still be welcoming to the common man, it's no wonder that Chicago continues to be a marvel for all who visit.
3 comments:
Your article was interesting and quite entertaining...I really like that picture too.
I'm so pleased to hear that you learned something new about the city you have lived so close to! Looking at Chicago through the observer's eye can be a completely new experience, even for the long-time resident.
Yay for good photo credits!
Very informationally ethical. :)
Peg
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