Day 7: Chicago

Apparently named by native American's to mean "stinky onion land" Chicago was then just bogs and marshes where surely nobody would want to settle. Quite a contrast the ultra clean, modern city it is today.



Bobby's Neighborhood bike tour turned out to be a great way to explore, and learn some local history.





As was the architecture boat tour, which featured a recently graduated architecture student as our guide. As the boat moved around the lake and river his constant commentary was staggering in it's insights, impressive depth, sense of civic pride, and sheer breadth. The cityscape is a true wonder, the architectural experimentation on display fascinating and beautiful.

We learned that Chicago needed to be completely redesigned and rebuilt in the aftermath of the great fire of 1871, and with new fire safety codes insisting on non flammable construction materials, this led to the experimentation with steel and glass which went on to became synonymous with modern architecture.



There are a dizzying number of skyscrapers in Chicago, and many many more on the way as people fall over themselves to buy skyscraper condos with view of the great lake, close to the lakefront public park, and easy access to downtown (our guide said around 50 currently being built, over 100 in various stages of approval!).

We finished a very enjoyable day in Chicago with some traditional Chicago deep dish pizza, and hopped on the L train back to our hotel.