Christmas in Chicago

I didn’t have any grading to do last Thursday, so Terry and I went downtown. Last year we went after the K-12 schools were out. It was a madhouse. I vowed to go earlier this year.

We took the 9:35 train and arrived at 11:23. I was ravenous by that time. We went directly to Daley Plaza to Christkindlmarket for lunch. Even though it was the least crowded we have ever seen it, we had to stand in line for some minutes to get our food an beverages. Terry went for the beer. I got the currywurst and sauerkraut. Terry won.

Christkindmarket in front of the Picasso sculpture in Daley Plaza

We were lucky enough to get two seats at a picnic table outside. It was a relatively warm day and not uncomfortable eating al fresco.

Sausage slices  in curry sauce with bread for dipping and a side of sauerkraut

We walked around the booths briefly. There wasn’t anything we hadn’t seen before. We got a sugar-coated “pretzel” from a bakery stand. It satisfied my tasted for something sweet, but I wouldn’t get one again. We noticed that the city is skimping on the Christmas tree this year. No ornaments, only lights. It didn’t look like much in the middle of the day.

The Christmas tree with lights only. The lights are on, but it's hard to tell.

Also at Daley Plaza, the Eternal Flame veteran memorial and pigeon warmer.

We walked to State St. and looked at the windows at the store formerly known as Marshall Field’s (it’s Macy’s now, but will always be Marshall Field’s in my heart). There were only a few windows decorated this year. The theme seemed to be assorted Christmas traditions through time. Lame. Were the windows really better when I was a child, or is that just false memories?

The holiday trumpets outside the store formerly known as Marshall Field's

Terry looks at the "Magic of Christmas" window

We went to the 8^th floor to see the tree in the Walnut Room. We finally saw the Tiffany ceiling this year. Once I saw it, I wondered how I had missed it all these years. Still, Terry had to ask a store employee where it was before we could find it.

The tree in the Walnut Room. The stars on the tree flash off and on.

Tiffany ceiling

We went up to Michigan Avenue and down the Magnificent Mile. The only store we went in was Crate and Barrel. They did not have any 9.5” bread pans. In fact, there was nothing there that I couldn’t live without.

A bridge over the Chicago River near the site of Fort Dearborn. The Wrigley building is on the left; Tribune Tower is on the right. When the bridge was built, it included a bas relief (front left) depicting white men slaughtering native Americans. I'm sure it seemed like a good idea at the time.

It didn’t seem very far to the Hancock building this year. I think it was because the weather was so pleasant for a walk. It can be quite a hike in a cold wind. We went to the Signature Lounge for our second beer of the afternoon. At $7.50 a pop, the drinks were not cheap, but it is essentially the same price as admission to the observation deck, and you get a beer. Also, the view from the Ladies’ Room is awesome. Terry says there is no window in the Men’s. How sad for them.

Terry gazes pensively into the distance in the Signature Lounge, 96th floor of the Hancock Building.

The north shore

View from the Ladies' room

We took a brief tour through Millennium Park. We got to the skating rink just in time to watch the Zamboni groom the ice. We visited the video faces. Terry inspected the trees.

The Zamboni grooms the ice in front of the Bean

Terry in front of the video face in Millenium Park

By pure chance, we got back to the train station at 3:50, timing for the 4:05 back to Harvard.  It was a fun day.