I was not exactly happy when my boss told me that I had to go to Chicago to give a talk at a conference, because in my opinion the USA treat their guests like criminals at the moment and I don’t want to be treated like a criminal. But, as I found out, the whole process of taking finger prints and pictures is just one more - and little – nuisance in the whole flying pain in the proverbial behind procedure; boy, I get cranky again while writing about it! Another thing I have in common with Newro: I hate airports!

Anyway, Chicago proved worth the trouble. I really liked that city. Being stationed in the Hilton, in a room about as big as our apartment here in Cork, did not hurt either. I had two double beds and two (!) bathrooms all for myself. Total overkill! I nearly got lost in there! (No, just kidding)

And they had tea and coffee making facilities in the room (mind, only one cup per day complimentary, the rest you pay for). I wanted a cup of coffee badly enough to go for the instant Lavazza (it’s Lavazza, so how bad could it be), but when I opened it it was worse: a coffee bag - for crying out loud!

It held only traces of coffein, so I went down for a double espresso later.
But the weather was gorgeous and really warm already and since the conference started in the afternoon, I took a long walk and loads of pictures

I also found the famous elevated railway. Blues Brothers here I come!

One morning it was a bit foggy, so I can show you the difference a little sunshine makes

I took another long stroll in the evening and found the millennium park – nice!

And of course the skyscrapers – is there a European who can resist, who is not impressed by their sheer size and the artificial gorges they create?

And in Chicago you can find both old and new skyscrapers right next to each other, which gives a nice contrast.

I think I might go back for a solely recreational visit with Newro. Yeah, I would definitely like that.