I’ve been putting off writing this post for a long time. My emotions are so overwhelming and there’s so much information in my head that I feel this will be one of my longest posts.

Fear has big eyes, but hands do the work.

But when my eyes are full of fear, even I can’t force myself to do anything...

Actually, I was inspired to write this by the show "Orel i Reshka". I rewatched their Chicago episode and realized how differently this city appeared to us. In general terms, it was the same, but still... no.

Let’s start with the fact that when I went to Chicago for 5 days, I only had $300 on my card, so I felt just like Zhanna from the show. I found a couch, an amazing couch. Ken gave me an entire room, not just a sofa. He spent the whole day with me, showing me the city's sights and telling me all the "rules" of Chicago.

What rules?

To be honest, the rules were just for me. He didn’t tell other couchsurfers this.

So, these were personal streets where I could walk in dresses/skirts, what times I could take the subway, which cafes I could go to and which I couldn't, and much more. Ken is a real man and a couchsurfing host from heaven; whoever visits him will be absolutely happy. What else is great about his apartment? He can host 3 "surfers" at the same time; he has 3 extra rooms. So during that time, I met people from Poland, Germany, and Brazil. An incredible experience. And all without leaving the house.

So, what was I saying...

First of all, I really wanted to visit Millennium Park and, strangely enough, see those very "air gates" (Cloud Gate). They are incredible in size, and because of the mirror surface, you see all the beauty of the skyscrapers standing around. Next, the famous fountain. Two large structures with faces (of Chicago residents) that periodically make the letter 'O' with their lips and artificially spray water. This action didn't impress me much, but it’s still unusual and quite interesting. And it’s especially interesting to watch the people waiting for it.

Walking up a small staircase, you will see several sculptures of faces, flat faces. Against their background, the world seems to distort. Now that’s what I call a master’s concept. Maybe it’s not great art, but it’s mesmerizing.

After the park, we were quite hungry, and Ken decided to take us to a very beautiful place, a cafe with such a wonderful view. I wish I remembered its name. But the view from there is stunning, especially if you get a table on the balcony. But I must say, it’s not a cheap pleasure. Of course, it depends on how much you eat. If anyone is interested in the pricing, you are welcome to send me a private message.

After a hearty meal, we went to the Art Institute of Chicago. To say how this "museum" shocked me is probably an understatement. And in a bad way. Entering the institute, you go up to the second floor... my advice: go forward, then left, and go down quickly; there is nothing interesting on the second floor. So many mediocre exhibits. In my understanding, the first impression should evoke delight, but they cluttered the first halls with some paintings by untalented artists—my apologies to the creators, but... For example, "ZERO", how can you present something like that to the public? My brain was indignant at every "work". Going downstairs, you will stumble upon a room with video art. I still don't understand this clown; why, for what purpose? Although everyone who entered laughed and came out a little happier.

And here is the climax: you go down in the elevator even lower, and there it is—the sweet prize for your suffering. First, two halls of very beautiful photographs. Second, an incredible hall with Egyptian pottery. Third, an Indian theme located in three halls. And fourth, three spans with incredible miniature rooms.

The rooms shocked me. Really. It’s just cosmic. What golden hands and eyes you must have to create something like that. Everything is thought out to the smallest detail, how a person will move from room to room, where to look. It’s incredible. This is what you need to come here for. These are the impressions the entire art museum should leave, not just a quarter of it.

The next day, we decided to take a two-hour river cruise.

God, how beautiful Chicago is. The architecture is simply indescribable. Each building is unique and has its own inimitable history. The 2 Corn-Cob towers, Willis Tower, Tribune Tower, Trump Tower, the Board of Trade (where "Batman Begins" was filmed). Seeing this whole forest of skyscrapers, you involuntarily think about how beautiful our world is, how talented people are on our earth. After all, it takes such diligence and intelligence to approach the task so that it turns out so cozy among the towering buildings. Which, for example, you absolutely cannot say about New York. A lot of people compare these two cities and assume they are similar. In my opinion, apart from the fact that each of these cities has high-rise buildings, they are not similar in anything else. Architecture, people, streets... everything, absolutely everything is different.

I’m sure someone will argue with me. But as you know, to each their own. I would gladly stay to live in Chicago, and nowhere else.

A dream city.

So, after the cruise, finding Wi-Fi, we looked for a place to land and eat. I remembered the well-known Hard Rock Cafe, and naturally, we went there. The cuisine is as always top-notch, the decor is in the "Wow, is that..." category. But the location and exterior design were disappointing. It’s much better in Orlando and New York.

Then something incomprehensible happened to our heads, and we decided to go for a boat ride again, but this time without a guide. Goooood, guuuuys. A new and truly incredible "fiery" Chicago opened up before our eyes. The beauty is indescribable. I think you can see it for yourselves. How different it is... day and night. I love you, Chicago.

Filled with emotions and impressions for a lifetime, we went home satisfied. And there, a surprise from Ken awaited us. He suggested we go to a local bar. (Between us, it was a gay bar). I probably won’t ever forget this; I’ve never had so much fun. But I’m still not destined to understand such men...

How can a charming, healthy man change so much and NOT love women?

I will probably never hear the answer to this question, an adequate answer.

Waking up with the thought that you don’t need to go anywhere, and no one demands an explanation for why you were late again or didn’t show up for work yesterday, is just a wonderful feeling. And getting out of bed without rushing, you think over a quick plan for the day. In this sunny hour, I decided to devote all my time to museums. In Chicago, there is a separate campus (a large area with museums) where every connoisseur of beauty can find something perfect for their taste. The journey began with the Adler Planetarium. Since I arrived around 2 o'clock, I missed all the shows, so I had to just enjoy the exhibits. The planetarium is not very large, and 2 hours will be enough for you to see it. I was very pleased with the room for toddlers. Everything is set up as if you are really in space. Those kids are lucky to find themselves in such a wonderful place, with their imagination. I wanted to turn into a little girl for a moment, wander on the moon, on the planets, become an astronaut, climb a rocket, and talk to aliens. By the way, the planetarium offers a very beautiful view of the ocean, sailboats, and high-rises. And if you wish, you can order breakfast/lunch/dinner within the walls of this wonderful building with a beautiful view.

Leaving the planetarium, the entire architecture of Chicago opened up before my eyes like on the palm of your hand. It’s such a breathtaking view. You will definitely spend at least 1 hour there. It’s impossible to leave.

Next on my list was the aquarium, but due to circumstances, I didn’t have time to go in, as all museums close at 5 PM.

Upset and sad, I wandered into the nearest cafe to eat away my sorrow. And then it dawned on me that I could go to the Willis Tower – the tallest building not only in Chicago but in the entire USA. (I was just planning to visit it the next day.)

If you are heading to Willis, you will have to walk through the Loop – the business district of Chicago with whimsical Picasso sculptures. This area remained so incomprehensible to me; here stands a 100-story skyscraper, and opposite it a building from the 19th-20th century... and these giant sculptures make an indelible impression. The most incredible thing about Chicago is its size. It seems so huge, but you can walk to the most famous sights and enjoy this flawless city.

So, here it is – the famous Willis Tower, Skydeck. My heart stops, a dream comes true... You enter the building, and then lightning strikes you – there are simply countless people, the line isn’t moving. God, how I hated all these Indians, Chinese, Japanese at that moment... ugh, just... I probably can’t convey all my fatigue and disappointment through writing; it was disgusting. In total, I stood for 2.5 hours. First for tickets, then the line for the elevator. I wanted to kill everyone who stepped on my foot, looked at me the wrong way, or asked me something. You should have seen my first photo at that height; I have never seen such a sad and gloomy person.

But everything changed...

I felt fear, adrenaline, and goosebumps all over my body when I found myself on the fully glass balcony on the 103rd floor. Tip: don’t go to the first balcony – there is always a huge crowd, and you just won’t be able to enjoy all the charms and the emotions that overwhelm you. The entire floor is completely glass, so you can sit quietly and enjoy the impressive 360-degree view. Or return to one of the balconies (there are 4).

Happy and inspired, I rushed home. And just like the previous day, a surprise awaited me. New couchsurfers from Germany arrived. This time we decided not to go to a bar, but just to stock up at the market. In short, don’t buy pumpkin cider. Not worth the attention.

After a noisy night, it was not easy to wake up. According to the plan, I was supposed to get up around 7-8 to go to the Skydeck by 10-11, and thereby avoid the lines. Well, ladies and gentlemen, as expected, I woke up at 12. Shower, breakfast, and here I am on the bus. Approaching Willis, I prayed that there would be no one inside. And oh yes, God had mercy on me. Quickly reaching the most delicious part of the Tower, I re-examined the territory of 4 states – Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and a piece of Indiana. My mini-tip – visit this attraction in the morning. You will get much more impressions and won’t spoil your nerves at all, as I did earlier.

Having enjoyed the American miracle, I headed to the Field Museum. Everyone probably remembers it from the movie "Night at the Museum". I was very pleased with Egypt. You enter a pyramid, wander there in dim light, go up, go down, walk in circles. Around you are ancient drawings, mummies, scary sarcophagi... Actually, for particularly impressionable people, it’s better not to go here. No, no, there are no corpses there... But just thinking about it, imagining how many people were buried in them, your soul turns inside out and you feel uneasy. In general, this part impressed me, but I ran away from there as fast as I could. The other "tours" didn’t leave any mark. But don’t think that everything is so bad there. On the contrary! You won’t forgive yourself for missing such an important and interesting museum. In any case, you will want to see little Sue (a huge dinosaur, which was called Rex in the movie), or those very Indians, commanders, a lion, a macaque.

Next, we move to the famous Navy Pier. Navy Pier is dotted with various cafes, restaurants, and attractions. From the Ferris Wheel, an extraordinary view of the cityscape will open up. And for those who love to catch adrenaline, I suggest riding the Wave Swinger, which also offers breathtaking views.