My 2 Day Chicago Weekend
Since I was already in the US for a company trip, I decided to spend the weekend at Illinois to visit my sister. The last time I was there was summer 2009 so this is another first time for me to experience winter there. Since my sister just came in from a Caribbean cruise and since I'm unable to get a good Friday night flight to Chicago, I just decided to take an early Saturday flight and a late Sunday night flight to maximize my time there. I woke up early Saturday morning to catch my 7AM flight via American Airlines.
I arrived around 11 AM, ready to do some sight seeing. It was a quick pick-up, my sister just called me that they were already there, I stepped out and we were on our way already. Once we got to downtown, we just parked at the Water Tower Place, just changed my jacket to a ticker one and we were on our way. first on our agenda was to look for a place to eat since it was already lunch time. We walked around for a few minutes and decided to get some Japanese food at Sushi Taiyo.
First on our agenda was Millennium Park. It was a few blocks away so we stopped by some places to take pictures. It was a very cold day (which is normal for Chicago) so we had to stop by Starbucks to warm up and drink something hot.
Despite the freezing weather, there were a lot of people out and about Millennium Park. First thing I did was to take pictures at Cloud Gate (The Bean). My sister and I had fun with the jump shots since she just discovered how to use the burst option on her camera. We walked around and took pictures at the Crown fountain. Unlike the last time that I was there which was summer, there were a lot a children frolicking and playing at the fountain to beat the hot summer weather. Now, people instead had fun at the nearby skating rink.
It was about 8PM already and we were feeling tired already so we decided to go home since it was also a little bit of a drive from downtown to my sister's house. The city was beautifully lit at night so I decided to take this picture.
Apparently, it was more exciting than it looks and downhill was quite a thrill. My sister paid for 2 hours however after an hour, we already had enough. Plus, a lot of people were coming in already so there was a line going uphill already.
After all the excitement, to end my trip, we went to Aurora Outlet mall to do some shopping since there was a President's day sale. It did not disappoint since despite the very cold weather, a lot of people were out spending some $$$ and I was one of them. Since I had restraints in my luggage already, I had to be very selective in my purchases. Even with the restraint, I ended up buying 6 shirts and 2 pairs of jeans at A|X , and a belt and sunglasses at CK.
Although it was a short trip (and very expensive airfare), I was very happy to have spent time with my sister and her family. Bonding time with her and her family, expecially the kids are really happy and good times. Til' next time.
I arrived around 11 AM, ready to do some sight seeing. It was a quick pick-up, my sister just called me that they were already there, I stepped out and we were on our way already. Once we got to downtown, we just parked at the Water Tower Place, just changed my jacket to a ticker one and we were on our way. first on our agenda was to look for a place to eat since it was already lunch time. We walked around for a few minutes and decided to get some Japanese food at Sushi Taiyo.
First on our agenda was Millennium Park. It was a few blocks away so we stopped by some places to take pictures. It was a very cold day (which is normal for Chicago) so we had to stop by Starbucks to warm up and drink something hot.
Despite the freezing weather, there were a lot of people out and about Millennium Park. First thing I did was to take pictures at Cloud Gate (The Bean). My sister and I had fun with the jump shots since she just discovered how to use the burst option on her camera. We walked around and took pictures at the Crown fountain. Unlike the last time that I was there which was summer, there were a lot a children frolicking and playing at the fountain to beat the hot summer weather. Now, people instead had fun at the nearby skating rink.
After Millennium Park, it was time to head back and take some more pictures at Michigan Avenue and to shop ofcourse. All my favorite brands were there and their stores were big. We went to Zara, Topman and H&M where I was able to get some very good deals on shoes. The only hassle about shopping during winter is that you have to remove a lot of articles of clothing before you can try on something,then afterwards, you have to put them back on again. The problems of shopping, hahaha.
It was about 8PM already and we were feeling tired already so we decided to go home since it was also a little bit of a drive from downtown to my sister's house. The city was beautifully lit at night so I decided to take this picture.
Once we got to the house, first on the agenda was to give my pasalubongs to my niece and nephew as well as my sister. After unloading all of those things, that's the time that my sister gave me all of the things I needed to bring back home.
The next day, we woke up early and on our agenda was to go to Villa Olivia and have fun in the snow. Villa Olivia was within an hour away from Algonquin so we were able to go there early before the crowds came in. There, you can go skiing, snowboarding or just go tubing. We opted for tubing since it was the easiest. What's so hard about sitting on your butt and being pushed downhill, right?
Apparently, it was more exciting than it looks and downhill was quite a thrill. My sister paid for 2 hours however after an hour, we already had enough. Plus, a lot of people were coming in already so there was a line going uphill already.
After all the excitement, to end my trip, we went to Aurora Outlet mall to do some shopping since there was a President's day sale. It did not disappoint since despite the very cold weather, a lot of people were out spending some $$$ and I was one of them. Since I had restraints in my luggage already, I had to be very selective in my purchases. Even with the restraint, I ended up buying 6 shirts and 2 pairs of jeans at A|X , and a belt and sunglasses at CK.
Although it was a short trip (and very expensive airfare), I was very happy to have spent time with my sister and her family. Bonding time with her and her family, expecially the kids are really happy and good times. Til' next time.
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