I can’t speak for Chicagoans, but when people from my parents’ part of Minnesota say “Chicago”, that second vowel is not the “a” in “father” that it is in standard American English. It’s pronounced a little further forward in the mouth, so it’s between the “a” in “father” and the “ae” in “bat”. This gives it, to my ears, a slightly grating, sharp sound. I like it. After a few days in Minnesota around my cousins and grandparents, I’m leaning back toward that accent myself. So here I am. In Chicaaago.
We got into town yesterday after an hour-long train ride from Joliet, found and checked into our hotel, and grabbed some lunch and a quick nap. Then it was time for Frans to start the leadership institute and for me to EXPLORE. With only two hours before I would meet him again for dinner, I decided to walk east from our hotel towards the water. This took me through the Theater District, past gobs of coffee shops and restaurants, and into Millenium Park.
It is so nice to be in a big city again. I love small towns and rural areas and mountains and of course beaches, but I always feel good in big busy cities. I’ve spent time in Seattle, New York, Paris, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Athens . . . it’s hard to articulate, but there’s just so much personality in these places. It’s exciting.
A few more photos:
Cool buildings and trees. Perfect.
Millenium Park.
Our hotel is deep in the theater district.
