We met up with our Elderhostel group Monday morning. Sixteen adventurous souls around the country - one from Clovis, and two from Modesto! - most from the east coast are here to explore this fantastic city. Today, we rode an air-conditioned bus from 9 am until 4:30 listening to a native Chicagoan, Mike, who lives and breathes the city. I fell in love with the architecture, wide avenues, lake front views, distinct neighborhoods, lush, parks, very wide variety of restaurants - Chicago seems so accessible. Lots of people on the streets going somewhere running, walking, biking, rollerblading - no loitering or hanging out unless they were sitting at an outdoor cafe.
We cruised by President Obama's home near the University of Chicago, in the Hyde Park neighborhood - he wasn't home. Our hosts were raised in the neighborhood, if fact, living across the street from the Obama residence years before he moved into the neighborhood.
I took so many pictures during the first half our tour that my camera battery was depleted, so I just might have to return to Chicago to finish up my collection of photos.
We ate at Manny's Deli - Obama does, too. We enjoyed navy bean soup and cornbeef sandwiches piled too high to hold together.
I walked down Michigan Avenue, after dinner with Jenny, and it felt so good to be alive in a big city again looking up at skyscrapers, manuevering through the crowds, energized by a breezy summer night in a very special place.
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