Chicago First and last impressions: July 20th -30th 2014

Chicago First and last impressions:  July 20th -30th 2014

This is a draft version and more details will be completed.

First impressions:

Our first impression to Chicago airport (O'Hare) was it is so clean and organised.

Our taxi driver was the worst we have had in the world!  People said we should report him.  Sadly we did not get his number as his taxi was dirty, old and smelly.  He barely assisted with the luggage and asked for my help.  I assisted but he was just plain lazy.  The only part of service was he asked if the A/C was ok.  We had been travelling for about 27 hours and were tired and could not understand his accent.  He translated and said air conditioner.  You call a wide tube from central heating unit an air conditioner! We were fine and did not want to talk to him.  We just wanted to get to the hotel as quickly and safely as possible. If we have travelled in Bali, Thailand and other nations with mad drivers - we had now met the Hannibal Lector of them all!  He swerved and jolted through traffic at ridiculous pace for such heavy traffic. 

Now this guy was angry and  on for a fight.  He turned the radio up very loud to a political station with ranting and the occasional english translation.  We assertively chose to not bite at his bid to stir us up.  We could have asked for him to turn it off but giving him only a $5.00 tip gave him the message.  No tip would have given a bigger message but it was time to just be rid of him for ever.  Good bye and go find some inner peace mate!

Final Impressions:

We cannot express our gratitude to  Hampton Inn and Suites staff enough.  The rooms are large and very comfortable and situated in a great neighbourhood for easy access to banks, stations, buses, supermarkets and restaurants

 Huge compliments to Damien, John and Nicole at the front desk of the Hampton Inn and Suites. 

Also in the Breakfast area huge compliments to the staff: Alex, Ralph, Stephanie and others.  Forgive me as I did not have a pen to write down all of your names.  You worked as well oiled machine and did not get fazed by some very demanding and rude people.  You are so welcoming and so friendly.  What a shame more people do not thank you or give you a smile.  You are not their slaves.  I was so impressed with how you carried on your duties in such a consistent manner for ten days.  Your manners and service is much appreciated and you made us feel like we were in your home.

Thank you to Chicago for providing an incredibly safe experience with the most wonderful public transport system CTA and PACE.  

The air is so fresh and the space is so Australian as you do not feel hemmed in.  The streets are wide and orderly.  The architecture is magical and the history is superb.

Immersion travel experience:

Do your research and read about the history of Chicago and see the PBS 4 part video "City of the Century" .  You will get so much out of this city.

It is incredible to be able to talk to someone about "The Shrine Temple" (now Bloomingdales opposite  Pizzeria Due).

The "Metrowalk Z" (insert TM logo here) Walking Book is the best in the world that I have ever used.  I used it in conjunction with my Eye Witness Guide which is visually easy to follow and uses the same colour coding system with every one of their travel publication.  The only thing that it needs is a to really show how Walk 8 the Gold Coast Tour and Walk 9 the Old Town Tour can be combined quite easily if you get off at North/Clydebourne station and walk past Steppenwolf and see the Ranch Triangle neighbourhood as well.

Make sure that you do anything to do with architecture:  Take the time to go out to Oak Park and see at least 35 brilliantly historic homes.  Especially the Frank Lloyd Wright homes.

The other essential thing to do is the Architectural Cruise.  It is one of the best cruise I have ever done and the tour guide was brilliant. 

My quote for this city:

CHICAGO BREATHS!