Chicago - Day One

Months before I got on the plane leaving to Chicago, I researched and planned activities for Maria and I to do while there. We weren't able to do half of everything we wanted but here are the highlights of our first day (you can click on pictures to enlarge):

Navy Pier. What can I say? It was crowded… But Maria found the most gorgeous bag there.

Lunch at Harry Carey's. When visiting the restaurant, it's mandatory to take a picture with The Bust (going by all the photos they have lining the wall with famous people). It's also mandatory that Hawaii girls shaka.

The Water Tower. There's also the Water Tower Mall. I was confused because I thought the mall was supposed to be inside this structure. Wrong. It's the huge mall right across the street.

The view from the Signature Lounge at the John Hancock Bldg from 93/94/95 (?) stories up. Sorry I couldn't keep straight how far up we were.

Looking out at the view from the women's restroom at the Signature Lounge. Can you imagine sitting on the loo with this view contemplating what the world is coming to?

Art Institute of Chicago. This is taken from the book shop looking out towards the back entryway. Isn't this a gorgeous shot? So artsy-fartsy. Im so proud of myself!

This painting just struck a chord in me. Very dramatic. Don't mind Maria smiling in the picture. Turn a camera on her and she just does that automatically. I wanted her to look somber and serious. You know studious. Contemplating the subject matter. I wanted emotion and depth. How does this painting make you FEEL? I should have directed her better. I guess I'll never make it in Hollywood.

A courtyard of statues inside the museum. It's a miracle that this shot doesn't have anyone in it. It was free admission night and the place was packed.

The Bean at Millennium Park. Awesome. Would have been even more awesome if there weren't so much fingerprints all over it. Showed up in all the hundred's of pics we took except for this one.

Being goofy. It's mandatary when visiting the Bean that you take a goofy pic…

I forgot what this was called but it's on the lawn at the Millennium Park. There was an evening concert going on at the stage and the lawn was full of families enjoying themselves.

Buckingham Fountain at night. It was beautiful but by this time we were so exhausted and footsore that we collapsed on the bench to take in the beautiful-ness. I wouldn't have moved until the next morning but we still hadn't eaten dinner, so Maria made me get up. My feet are still mad at her. 

Dinner finally! The nice bellhop, Steven,  from Palmer's House Hilton told us that this was THE place to go for deep dish pizza. I tried to tell him that TripAdvisor said we should go to Pizzeria Uno but he just scoffed at us.  When a local scoffs at you, you better take his advice and go to Gino's East. 

An hour later of waiting, Maria taking a pic of me, taking a pic of the pizza. We're such tourists. BTW, the pizza was divine. Thank you Steven!



Whew, this was just day one of our time in Chicago! Stay tuned for more. ;o)