Chicago – the lure of wonderful architechture and everything else.

Well, what do we have here? Another trip in the making!

Yes. That’s exactly what we have brewing in the pot right at this instance. The herbs and the main meat of the stew is in and it’s now on a slow simmer right until the pressure builds up and it starts to spill right over.

I like to call it, “A la Chicago”. The Chef’s special.

The windy city, but ooooh the architectural wonders that those soft breezes blow though. Caressing and flowing; nature’s way of dusting and caring of these wonders.

The city made famous by many appearances in the spotlight throughout history. For the younger generations the hilarious gay club/bar scene from American Pie will forever bring rollicking laughter from all.

Being somewhat of a romantic, the architecture was the first thing that caught my eye and still holds a special place in my heart. Tossed in with the genuinely friendly people, the active night life, the global gastronomical delights and the waterfront as a delicate topping, we have the perfect fine dining dish of unimaginable pleasure.

Let me re-cap my last trip to Chicago – 09/12/2003.

A vast amount of our day time was spent on Devon St. This really is amazing. Devon St. Think of one long road divided by 3 borders invisible to the naked eye. Territorial borders. What was that you said??? Territorial??? Yay, I say. You heard me right the first time. You get the Indian sector, which is store after restaurant after restaurant after store of Indian origin. As you walk past these stores, you suddenly realize that the dishes advertised is no longer Indian in origin. It’s Pakistani. Yes, you’ve crossed that invisible line. Don’t worry you don’t have to get your passport stamped or even have a visa to cross this border. You don’t even have to worry about Indo-Pakistani border violence you hear about in Kashmir. Over here these neighbors live in synergy with each other. That being said I haven’t been in the area during an India-Pakistan cricket match, and I don’t believe any treaty in Geneva or any other world power could enforce a peaceful co-relation between these two neighbors during this time. All in the friendly atmosphere of sportsmanship I’m sure. I wander. Let me get back to Devon Street or Devon Ave as its also called is so popular that it has its own site. http://www.devonavenue.com/

As you continue down this street, you cross yet another invisible border. This time into a very subtle middle eastern community and further on a small Russian community. Aromas of roasting kebab’s and flat bread mingle with the flavors of Indian and Pakistani cuisine’s that form a unity of being that goes to show that all nationalities and races can indeed live together without racial or ethnic discrimination and violence.

The next big chunk of our time was spend exploring Chicago’s architecture. We took the Wendella Boats sunset tour, which started at about 7.45 went down the river, and out into the Lake Michigan basin where we watched the sun set behind Chicago’s skyline. A very beautiful view and if you’ve never done this, it’s a must. Our guide was very well knowledgeable and we came back with a solid knowledge of the history behind not only Chicago as a city but its buildings as well. Having a friend who is an architect working in Chicago helps to. ? She was out guide to the city and enlightened us with many behind the scene facts of the more scandalous and funny histories of Chicago that historians many times tend to leave out of the history books.

This city also boast’s one of the more romantic spots that I have come across. Go to the planetarium on Lakeshore Drive where you can park and walk out onto huge steps that look out over the lake and Chicago’s skyline. If you are in time to catch the sunset, you won’t be disappointed. The soft sounds of the water lapping on the sides coupled with the sunset view. It’s absolutely breathtaking.

Well as you can surmise, my last trip was a blast and I had a great time. Lets see how this one goes.