First Look

My husband and I, packed all we can in a Toyota Camry and travelled a little more than 732 miles from little Greenville SC to Windy City Chicago. The first look took my breath away! Chicago looked as beautiful and adventurous as the road behind us. I am still anxious about the winter wind and snow that so many people have warned us about. But Chicago symbolized new beginning and a better life for both of us even before we came here. And it has been what all it promised us. One month here in Des Plaines, Il, the northwest suburb of Chicago and we have already adapted to it. We have decorated our home the best we could and our home has become the most peaceful place to be.

Sure there were things that we had to work it out, we were confused about the tolls, the roads that are constantly under construction, the car honks, the traffic lights every few minutes, the blue lines and the metras, the buses, and a new Walmart near our home. Yeh... who knew that we would be so used to the Walmart aisles and layout in our old city that it would be like groping in dark in the new city! It took us 2-3 visits to actually find things without wasting time. I am still not used to the unsually high no. of motorists honking the horns here.

After a month of shopping for all the things we need for our home, we finally started exploring Chicago and I decided to start a blog completely dedicated to Chicago.  I would also take a picture of how the day is everyday from the patio at a set time and post it under 365 days of Chicago category just to realize how ever-changing and beautiful Chicago is (also the view from our patio is really good!).

Chicago Navy Pier is a cool place to hang out if you like cool breeze in your hair, happy faces all around you, love boats and cruisers, terrified of ferris wheels, but love them anyway, love ice creams and beer. It is a place for you if you wanna spend $100 or $0, but still have fun. The art gallery there is really fun, there are art pieces with both classic elements of religion along with modern pieces infused with confusion and clarity of sexuality and beauty. Take your time and explore the art, you might learn something new or find something that just touches your heart. The interesting thing about the Navy Pier is that during World War I & II, it housed as many as 60,000 sailors and pilots for training purposes. It is good to know that something that was used for war is being used to bring joy to so many people now. The Navy Pier is said to be the No.1 tourist spot of Chicago, and everyone who visits Chicago should visit the place.

Those were my first impressions of Chicago, the Windy City for all, but a symbol of hope and new beginning for us.