Day 45 - Chicago

Halfway point! Only 45 days to go...

Today was... long. I went all the way downtown to the Art Institute and to go up the Sears Tower. Guess how I got there? (Hint: this is what I wore)

It was a beautiful cycle (just over 18 miles altogether!) but it was pretty painful and terrifying the whole way there and back. I was riding Stacey’s bike and it’s one of those where you lean forward and have not a lot to sit on - they’re just scary. This trip is making me realise what a total scaredy-cat I am...

Anyway, I am pretty sure that there were points where I was cycling at oh, at leeeeast 100mph. Pretty fast. (Maybe not that fast.) My hands started to hurt really badly from leaning on them so much so I tried to teach myself to ride with no hands. Allow me to paint a picture: me, looking rather sore-bottomed and puffed out, chanting to myself “one, two, three – let go!” then letting go of the handlebars for the briefest of seconds only to grab on again for dear life and start again “one, two, three – let go!” I did not learn but it did help to pass the time. In any case I made it to the Art Institute having only fallen off the bike once which I thought was not bad at all.

This is what I saw at the Art Institute

I'm not a Dali fan but his Venus de Milo with drawers is pretty cool

Lots of kids learning, very good

Holy mackerel! I was not expecting to see this!

Then I wandered over to the Bean (Cloud Gate) a huge very heavy sculpture by Anish Kapoor. It is made of stainless steel and is designed to last a thousand years. I love anything shiny and this was no exception. It’s so simple and yet so entertaining! Even on a Monday morning it was drawing tourists to itself like a honeypot (or a good postcard sale)

Count how many Natalies you see! (hint: I'm wearing the fluo orange)

After the Bean I tried to find the Sears Tower (officially the Willis Tower) which is the tallest building in the USA. The problem with trying to find huge skyscrapers is that they tend to be surrounded by other skyscrapers (or skyscratchers, in Spanish) which obscure your view as you get close.

In the end though I found it, I conquered it, I got in the little glass box that protrudes over the edge of the 103^rd floor. 

Other bits and pieces

I saw this machine which made small plastci toys while you waited:

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