Chicago Downtown

Monday 13 August 2012 – Chicago Downtown

Day 123 and 35 to go

Urggh go away cold. I woke not feeling 100%. I thought yesterday’s sneezing was just hay fever but not so. It had continued raining through the night and was quite windy at one stage it was still raining when we woke at 815. We sat in bed reading some of the Chicago brochures and then Paul was out having a shower and urging me to follow. I was feeling very slow but got out anyway having a welcoming massage shower.

Once dressed, we were out of our room at 10am and amongst the grey day. We walked along our street making it to Lake Michigan where we could see the grey caps rolling. We walked back towards Michigan Avenue or the Magnificent Mile as it is known. We stood under the imposing John Hancock building before going for breakfast in one of the cafes.

We then continued our wander down the Mile stopping in at the Chicago famed popcorn store Garret and buying a small bag. You can buy buckets of popcorn here for around $50! We enjoyed the Chicago mix – cheese and caramel. It was yummy.

Our walk down the Mile took us passed many interesting art pieces as well as, buildings that looked like they belonged in Europe. The Tribune building was one that fit in this category. It houses the Chicago Tribune paper along with a radio station and probably other media outlets.

From here we could see a building with a large clock in front of a very tall glass and steel building I assumed was the Sears building now rebadged as the Willis building.

We walked over the Michigan Ave Bridge, crossing the Chicago River. We walked to the hotel we are staying in when we return to Chicago in a week so we know where it is and then we followed the river away from the lake checking out the interesting buildings, including twin cylinder ones that look like salt and pepper shakers. They were obviously apartments on top with parking for cars below. The buildings sat on the river with a marina to park boats under the building.

We continued to wander back towards our hotel stopping for a brief drink at the Rock Bottom brewpub. By now my tablets were wearing off and I was in need of a rest. We were back on the paving and it was now raining more steadily. We stopped in at a grocery store for some lunch and drinks before we finished the walk back to the hotel.

When we arrived there were two police forensic cars out front and a TV crew near the hotel entrance and as we entered the elevator 2 police officers wearing blue booties over their shoes. ODD.

We returned to the room and I collapsed on the bed. We watched TV and ate our lunch before I went to sleep for a while. When I woke Paul told me more TV camera vans were outside the hotel. Hmm. We channel surfed finding one of the channels that was represented outside to find out what was going on. Turns out a 22 year old girl was murdered on the floor above us and was found at 10am this morning. She was shot in the head. Now we have had the great American experience!

We continued to watch the TV