Two Views of Michigan Avenue at Night (Chicago, IL)

I took these photos towards the end of my trip, when I was walking down Michigan Avenue and soaking up the Christmas shopping energy. With their lights of red and green, both the John Hancock Center (above and below) and the Bloomingdale building (below) are decked out in seasonal glory. Growing up in Chicago, I used to love walking down Michigan Avenue during the Christmas season, with the chilled air brushing my face, sometimes bringing snow flurries to the city, and the holiday shoppers migrating from one vertical shopping mall to another.  To this day, nothing says Christmas to me like a visit to Chicago, and a walk down Michigan Avenue. After all, the holiday season is about coming home, is it not? 

Two Portraits of the Water Tower, Chicago, IL

Most of the time I spent in my hometown was characterized by cold and gray weather.  Not necessarily the weather of sun and blue skies that most people consider to be perfect for picture-taking.  Nonetheless, I carried on, camera in hand, and bravely documented what I could.  (Okay, that last bit about bravery is slightly hyperbolic.)  At any rate, one of my Chicago love affairs is with the old, historic Water Tower that graces Michigan Avenue.  Granted, it looks a little anachronistic, with its Medieval castle design, but one thing that I love about Chicago is its ability to house multiple layers of architecture representing varying time periods and sensibilities.  In a world where architecture seems to be growing more generic, and looking the part, as well, it is nice to see historic buildings and their unique character break apart the monotony of modernity.  The Water Tower is one of the few historic buildings downtown that survived the Great Chicago Fire.  Situated right in the middle of upscale Michigan Avenue, it serves as a bridge to an earlier Chicago, one less established, more restless, and eager to prove itself to the world. It symbolizes the greatness of vision that manifests itself today as a world-class American city.  Here are two glimpses of the Water Tower: above is a portrait similar in angle to a Water Tower photo I took several years ago, and below is the Water Tower better contextualized by its surroundings.

Saying Goodbye to Chicago, Part One

Chicago is my hometown. I was born and raised here, spent 30-plus years of my life here, including these past two years, having come back after living away from here for almost a decade. It seems like in every corner on the northside of the city lurks a specter from my past, a memory from my long history of living in this city. As I prepare to return to the Great American Southwest, I want to devote a series of posts to photos displaying how I wish to remember my hometown of Chicago.

City in a Garden: Buckingham Fountain, Sears ("Willis") Tower to the Left, Chicago, IL

The contemporary version of "the City in a Garden" concept came into bloom thanks to the former Mayor Daley (the son), whose love of greenery and landscaping helped to beautify the city. We are deeply indebted to him for this.

The Chicago Skyline from the Front Lawn of the Field Museum, Chicago, IL

The Chicago skyline from the Field Museum entrance is a magnificent sight. In my very biased opinion, few cities, if any, can boast of possessing such an architectural masterpiece like the Chicago skyline. Out of this architectural cacophony, a jumbled harmony. Paradoxical, but true. This photograph brings back so many memories from when I was a kid visiting the Field Museum, my favorite museum, with my parents. Coming out from a day of visiting exhibits of mummies and dinosaurs, displays of world gems, we would be greeted with the expansive sight of the city. See the Sears ("Willis") Tower on the left, and, if you look closely, in the center, on the lawn, the Vienna hot dog vendor. Vienna beef products are truly a Chicago tradition. I always order my Vienna hot dog or Polish with everything, including neon green relish and extra sport peppers. Don't forget the celery salt and you must use mustard--no ketchup!

Lake Michigan in Summer, Chicago, IL

Lake Michigan, or The Lake, is simply stunning, and that is all there is to say about it.

Buckingham Fountain, John Hancock Center and Chicago Skyline in Background, Chicago, IL

When I was a kid, my family and I would go on picnics near Buckingham Fountain on the Fourth of July. It was always packed, with families waiting throughout the day to see the fireworks display at night. I also remember Buckingham Fountain's multicolored light show at night.

Old Water Tower, with John Hancock Center and Water Tower Place in Background, Chicago, IL

The Old Water Tower, one of the few downtown buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire. Now part of a small green park just off of Michigan Avenue, this is a popular place to bring a coffee or tea and enjoy some people-watching, as the crowds move between shopping destinations. This has always provided me with a nice respite from downtown Chicago's busy comings and goings.

Check it out: Choose Chicago