Discover Chicago, Day 1

So, we are well-rested and excited to explore Chicago, or better known as Chi as the insiders say.

Before we start, let's grab a cup of coffee for us, lovingly referred to as 'Insta-Bitches' by a close relative :-)). We gladly accept the title and find it funny!

The weather forecasts on TV are similar to ours in Germany. They say one thing, but the reality is different. It was supposed to be cloudy and warm all day. We were worried that our visit to the '360-degree observation deck' of the Hancock Center, which we booked for 10 am, would not be successful because we wouldn't be able to see much due to the clouds ... But we were lucky, the weather didn't follow the forecast and provided us with beautiful sunshine. (Just like the saying goes: "Angels bring good weather ...")

The Hancock Center has a unique feature - a wide glass front that tilts forward a few degrees on the 94th floor. Up to five people can stand in front of the glass and lean forward to look outside. It's an adrenaline rush, especially for Thorsten, but not for me. But Thorsten didn't want to experience it alone, so we just watched in awe... and enjoyed the view over the city and Lake Michigan.

Back on ground level, we continued exploring the city on foot. We noticed that the streets here are less crowded and hectic compared to cities like New York, LA, or San Francisco. Although the city has about 2.5 million inhabitants, everything seems to be very calm and no one is rushing through the streets. Additionally, everything is pretty clean. No dirt, no cigarette butts, or any other daily life trash can be found. There are some beggars here and there, but no homeless people with all their belongings on the streets or under the bridges, of which there are plenty here. Well, we did see some "crazy" people, who seemed to be mentally unstable, writing to themselves, talking to themselves, or dancing and jumping on the sidewalks. It seems to be the result of years of alcohol and drug abuse, however one may interpret it.

While there are many glass and metal skyscrapers, the true gems are not very noticeable. One must get closer to the Chicago River to find the many sandstone buildings with abundant and elaborate decorations. They are the true architectural highlights of the city.

We really liked the design of the Riverwalk. Along a long stretch of the river, there are beautiful and inviting stairs, green spaces, and opportunities to take a break, not only for tourists but also for the locals. The great weather created a lively atmosphere without overcrowding.

The weather is also quite unique. Due to the open gateway over the huge Lake Michigan, the cold wind from Canada easily enters the city without being hindered by geographic obstacles. It's no wonder Chicago is called the 'Windy City'. Temperatures can quickly change within a few hours. Warmth at noon, and in the afternoon, the thermometer can drop several degrees ...

But we are lucky, it's nice and warm and we can enjoy everything, even in shorts and without a jacket. Perfect!

We stocked up on everything we needed for a dinner in our room at Target, our trusted grocery store around the corner. And this time, we didn't have to empty our bank account ...