USA

Well, the flippers and masks have been returned to the summer cupboard and the backpacks have been emptied and dusted with baking soda and so I now set about to put together the pictures and video with this years' story. The following pages, listed below, will take you on our 5 week journey through Costa Rica. Love to hear from you!

- Costa Rica Itinerary - January 2010
http://webweaver.travellerspoint.com/28/ - Afraid to go - December 01, 2009
http://webweaver.travellerspoint.com/29/ - Chicago - December 4 - 7, 2009
http://webweaver.travellerspoint.com/30/ - Alajuela - Volcan Poas - December 9, 2009
http://webweaver.travellerspoint.com/31/ - Cahuita - Cahuita NP - December 17, 2009
http://webweaver.travellerspoint.com/32/ - Guapiles - Arial Tram - December 29, 2009

So much of this city is in shadow.

The highest and most architecturally stunning structures spiral from every nook and corner to what seems a mile in the sky. Standing on almost every square foot of the downtown area are glass and steel monuments to Americas' greatest companies like the original spiked Sears building, now the Willis Building, The classical AT&T Corporate center, Prudential Plaza and the Wrigley building.

"Numerous architects have constructed landmark buildings of varying styles in Chicago. Some of these are the so-called "Chicago seven": James Ingo Freed, Tom Beeby, Larry Booth, Stuart Cohen, James Nagle, Stanley Tigerman, and Ben Weese." - Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_of_ChicagoArchitecture of Chicago - Wikipedia

"Since most buildings within the downtown area were destroyed (the most famous exception being the Water Tower) by the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, Chicago buildings are noted for their originality rather than their antiquity." - Wikipedia

Here is some video that takes you through some of what I saw during our 4 days in Chicago

Bodies lay twisted and distorted as their reflections are caught with their digital cameras.

A parade of more than 100 Santas Clause came to dance around the gleaming mercury blob.

A spherical contrast to the perpendicular masses of steel and glass. A myriad of form and textures.

This is the immensely popular Cloud Gate Sculpture

This Huge structure is Cloud Gate, a three-story, 110-ton steel sculpture is called "The Bean". The sculpture is the work of world-renowned artist Anish Kapoor and was privately funded and the total cost was $23 million.

Cloud Gate is a highly polished reflective steel sculpture that is meant to resemble a drop of mercury hovering at the point of landing on a plaza of the park. When Millennium Park opened in 2004, the grid of welds around each metal panel was still visible. In early 2005, workers polished out the seams. The curved, mirror-like surface of the sculpture provides striking reflections of visitors, the city skyline (particularly the historic Michigan Avenue "Streetwall") and the sky. Since its installation, Cloud Gate has probably become the most popular sculpture in the city. - Wikipedia

Taking leave for a moment from the fixed assets of Chicago I was equally impressed with the friendly, easy going nature of the folks on the street. Understanding that we tourists have the immediate identifiable factor of gaping mouths and crooked necks we were treated with courteous responses to our questions and an eagerness to make us feel at home. Common to the streets are performer of all types, in all weather, and Chicago had some cold days while we were there. Here is an excerpt from the video above of the Chicago Street Drummers.

Chicagos' Street Drummers

Personal Plea for Peace

Our trolley Tour guide was absolutely hilarious with her references to wealthy and upscale neighbourhoods, not shying away from some of the truths that give this place such a prosperous image.
And did I mention how cozy it was inside the trolley while the cold winds off Lake Michigan funnel through the maze of buildings outside.
I have found that in most large cities you are best to choose the most interesting general tour of the main attractions and it will give you reference to your places of most interest. $35 may seem steep for the backpacker but it will save you an enormous amount of walking.

Dr. Carolyn Campbell presenting a social justice paper.

Engineering excellence allows for these huge structures to co-exist with tiny footprints on the street.

The "Union Station", the orginal hub of train travel in the mid west shows its' glorious past in the massive columns at the entrance to the time worn marble steps at the entrance.

A variety of character in the people as well