CHICAGO: Why Do I #LoveThisCity? #MC

Do you live in the big city? Do you wake up to the roar of the streets and live in a high-rise? Or maybe you come out on your porch in sleepers to get the paper and enjoy the peace and quiet of the suburbs? I live 40 miles outside of downtown Chicago, which doesn’t seem like a huge distance, but the life here is so different, it might as well be a different country. In the suburbs I live in the world of high-speed roads and cars. I recognize cars better than I do people. As funny as it sounds, I often know the cars that I share the road with on my way to work. However, if we have friends coming from out-of-town, suburbs is not what they want to see. They want to see the big city! And if you want to see people, you have to step onto the streets of Chicago. Indeed, it is amazing how many characters you will see in just a few minutes while standing still observing the city life rushing around you.

The Quiet Storm

Do you know how quiet it gets before the storm? That is what pre-rush hour time looks like in the city. You know it is coming, but I just want to enjoy the quiet city before it gets taken over by the busy everyday life.

I love watching Chicago waking up with still empty streets and only a few cars disturbing the peace. That is the moment I #LoveThisCity and feel incredibly lucky to witness awakening of this beautiful giant.

Rushing Through the Streets

Leaving the Metra station I move with the rush hour crowd to the surface where the river of people joins the ocean of so many more hurrying to beat the clock. This is not the suburbs where we don’t know anyone – this is the big city. This is the time of fast pace walks and not looking around much.

This is the moment when I love paying attention to the people who are not moving with the crowd. These people move with their own speed or maybe standing still.

Postcard Chicago

Photo credit: Ashley Poe

How often do you get to do touristy things in your own city? I honestly don’t get to do it too often, but who doesn’t love the magnificent city of Chicago?

Photo credit: Ashley Poe

All these great Chicago things are a great attraction for out-of-town guests. The first time I took my daughter to the city, she was amazed about all the cool things the city has to offer.

Photo credit: Ashley Poe

The Light Nite City Lights

On the rare occasions when I get to spend an evening in the city, I just love wandering the streets of Chicago. The well-lit streets and the night life is mesmerizing. Bars, restaurants, and clubs keep the nightlife going. There is also something about the city lights that gives me a whole new appreciation of the memorable  moment. This is the moment I #LoveThisCity and want to take a picture of this scene in my mind and save it there forever.

Love this city and I am not the only  one – visit Love This City to learn more about Chicago.