We were 'Shameless' - visiting the Gallagher-House

Today we set off on a very special excursion. We wanted to visit the location, at least the exterior location, of the Amazon Prime series 'Shameless'. For many years we have followed the series and been amused by Frank Gallagher and his many countless children who tried to get their lives in order. Some did better than others ... but Frank himself had the biggest problem with drugs, alcohol, and scams.

From the series, we knew that the South Side was not a 'pilgrimage site', so we prepared ourselves well and left out anything that might identify us as tourists. No camera bags and dressed inconspicuously (although we could never dress in a way that wouldn't attract attention in the vicinity of the Gallaghers). So we dared to embark on this 'adventure'. 'Shameless' showed us how people live there. Always on the lookout for violent fellow citizens (Fiona to Liam, who wanted to go to primary school: 'leave the baseball bat here')...

On the way to the South Side of Chicago where the Gallaghers lived, we learned in the half-hour train ride what characteristics the people have. At first, the young man on the train made us a little nervous because he spoke constantly and in quite a loud volume in rapper style. At first, we thought he would eventually start talking to us and ask for three dollars ... but as the journey progressed, we realized that he was just talking on his phone. That reassured us a bit, although later someone played with his cell phone and then played a loud rap song on it, singing along for everyone to hear...

The 'Kedzie' station was our stop. A short walk to 2119 South Homan Avenue and we stood outside the Gallagher house. There were a few neighbors outside, but no one was interested in us. So we had some time to look around.

The current residents of the Gallagher house allow a photo on the stairs only if you insert a 5 dollar bill (10 dollars for two people) into the mailbox. You don't have to make contact with the 'new Gallaghers'.

So we took a few photos from the outside without any royalties and of the neighboring houses where the Milkoviches lived, and of V and Kev's house, the Gallagher's close friends and owners of the 'Alibi' bar. It was still there, although very run down.

A quick look down the side streets and then back to the train station. The houses there are very dilapidated and do not provide a nice environment. The poorest people live here, those who can barely afford to rent a house. And somehow, probably, they live similar lives to the Gallaghers, except that 'Shameless' was just a fictional series and not real.

To those who are unfamiliar with 'Shameless', our excursion today doesn't mean much. But for others and especially for us, it was cool to have been there.