New York:- Chicago

After the non-stop partying of New Orleans, it was off to the much more respectable climes of Chicago. By now, I had learnt that most big cities in the US has areas that you just don't go into. And that these aren't always readily apparent, and that the areas change street by street. So it's best to ask at the hostel first.

> From: Geoffrey Campey
> To: Almost_evri1
> Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2001 3:30 PM
> Subject: That Windy City
>
> Well, I made it to Chicago, and shock! horror! so did
> my bag. Here is the amazing thing - we arrived at the
> same time! :)
>
> Chicago is a buys place, everyone seems to have a
> mission and they are on it, no matter if you are
> standing in their way. Saying that, I like the place,
> although there is one thing that really gets me, and
> it is something that is not just this town. I will get
> to that in a moment, but first...
>
> I went to the Art Institute of Chicago today, and was
> so totally blown away I don't think I have gotten over
> it yet. They had an exhibition of Van Gogh and Guigan
> on, so I paid the $10 to go and see that, and it was
> really amazing. Very well presented, and is such an
> experience to see the actual paintings that you
> normally only see in books. There is just so much more
> in seeing the brush strokes and the texture of the
> material it is painted on (and some of Van Gogh's most
> famous works are not on canvas - boring trivia).
> Anyway, I was really impressed by that, and a few of
> the paintings were actually owned by the Art
> Institute, so I was kinda impressed by that.
>
> I then went exploring, and discovered all the really
> cool suits of armour and weapons, very much a boys
> toys kind of exhibit. Then I discovered the European
> Art section. First there was the room filled with
> Monet, and then the room filled with Renoir, then the
> room filled with Cezanne, then the room filled with
> Matisse, then the room filled with Picasso, then the
> room filled with Degas, then the room.... it just went
> on. Hundreds of millions of dollars worth of
> paintings, I was so incredibly amazed that one gallery
> could own such an extensive collection. It wasn't even
> like they were the crappy ones that the Australian
> galleries get just to say they have a name painting,
> these were the ones that you see in all the books. I
> could spend another couple of days wandering through
> there, but the show must go on.
>
> I must say it was an interesting experience to walk
> out of this building that houses priceless works of
> art, to find 3 homeless guys on the steps asking for
> money. Then to see another 5 on the two block walk
> back to the hostel, each one standing in 5 degree
> temperatures. I must say, I am not a massive fan on
> the Welfare Society, but at least you aren't made to
> feel guilty about having some money every 5 minutes.
> Don't take what you have for granted people!
>
> <Stepping off soap box now>
> Other than that, things have been really good. I met a
> lovely woman on the plane, who gave me the full
> rundown of where to go and what to see in Chicago
> which was really great. I am already missing the cajun
> food in New Orleans, but I think I am somewhat glad
> that I got out of the place. I know that I wrote that
> I could live there, but on reflection, I think I would
> end up drinking lots and not really acheiving
> anything. It's like New Zealand, great to visit,
> wouldn't want to live there.
>
> I have a few more days here in Chicago before I head
> off to visit my relatives in Madison, WI. There hasn't
> been much snow up here, so I may not get my white
> Christmas, but I am still hopefull. I hope you all
> have the best of Christmas's, and get very drunk on
> NYE. Most of you will be celebrating it about 11 hrs
> before me, so here's hoping you hangover has cleared
> by the time mine starts to kick in.
>
> Talk to you all soon,
> Regards,
> Geoffrey
>

Will you just get on with the show already! ->