Thursday, March 24, 2005
Sweet Home Chicago
This past weekend I ran into a guy who claims to have worked with the Mexican Consulate. I find that hard to believe because he was selling pots and pans outside of a Mexican supermarket. (if he was with the mexican consulate, he must have messed up big time to end up in a Santa Ana supermarket). He was a nice guy, friendly and even helped us distribute the product every now and then...even though he also took some for himself. Near the end of our event, this guy asked me where we were from, I said Chicago. To which he said, "Ah, Al Capone. Do you know of him?". Come on people, Al Capone was an early part of Chicago History. But that's not what bugged me. He then goes on to say that he has heard nothing but bad things about Chicago. He said it was windy, it has no rivers and here is the kicker, he said there are no lakes around Chicago (hmmm, I guess Lake Michigan does not count). So, not only does this guy not know what he's talking about, he also does not know his USA geography. He went on to say it has to be one of the worst cities in the world. This is where I started getting mad. I'm not one to usually start an argument. But there are certain topics that I will fight for, one of them is Chicago. (the other topic I'll fight over is Family). So I go on to tell the guy that of all the cities I have visited, which include Paris, London, Amsterdam, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Venice, Milan, Florence, Munich, Osaka, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Guadalajara, Mexico City and Las Vegas. [I actually named each city I've been too. This produced a face of shock on his. I guess he wasn't expecting me to name off so many cities] Of all the cities I've been to, Chicago, Illinois ranks as one of the best, if not THE best. I made sure to let him know that he was misinformed and that we do have various rivers, one of them being the Chicago River. And I let him know that we do have a lake and that it is located right next to our city. Finally, I said that Chicago is my kind of town and it can very well be his kind of town too if he actually makes his way out there and told him to not speak bad of a city until you actually visit it. Like me: I have not spoken bad of Los Angeles until I visited it (and now that I have experienced all that is Los Angeles, man, L.A. is not worth it). So Mister, you and any Chicago haters out there come to the best city in the world first before you diss it. Only after you experienced Michigan Ave, Wrigleyville, Millenium Park, Navy Pier, Gino's East, Portillo's, Taco Burrito Palace 2, China Town (TONY's CHICKEN!!), the Field Museum and the rest of what our great city has to offer, then and only then, can you diss Chicago. Thank you. Go Bulls: Da Bulls, da bulls, da bulls da bulls.
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I agree, Chicago is one of the best cities in the world, at least so far as I know. From what I have heard of Southern and Southwestern cities like L.A., Phoenix, and Houston, the lack of pedestrian activity, rampant sprawl and traffic detract from the character of the city. On the other hand, an older city like a Boston, Chicago, or New York has many vibrant neighborhoods with interesting architecture, mixed-uses (houses, stores, businesses), and pedestrian acitivity. In my opinion, these characteristics define a city, for better or worse. My biggest fear for Chicago is that it will succumb to being another generic city, as represented by the River North area just west of Michigan Avenue. This neighborhood is filled with huge, boring chain restaurants like Big Bowl, Weber Grill, and ESPN Zone that caters to the unimaginative tourist. These big chains also detract from Chicago's unique character.
Still, I'm glad Chicago has an eager supporter like you out in the West, especially since so many people out there consider our city to be part of "Flyover Country." (As much as I like Chicago, I could do without the Chicago Winter).
Still, I'm glad Chicago has an eager supporter like you out in the West, especially since so many people out there consider our city to be part of "Flyover Country." (As much as I like Chicago, I could do without the Chicago Winter).
Keep spreading The Good Word brother! Good to know we've got a fine yout (joe pesci voice) bringing the gospel that is chicago to the unwashed and uninformed.
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