Postcards from Chicago

For years, I’ve been searching for a Chicago flag patch for Kike. The white bar in the middle, flanked by two celestial bars and four crimson stars, flies everywhere in the Windy City (so, literally). Every souvenir shop, Etsy boutiques – nowhere – has this token that he collects from the far-flung African countries he works in or the other soldiers he encounters.

So, when he asked me to find one for the fourth summer running, I tried again, hopeful that I’d get lucky. My bags are packed and his birthday gift wrapped up – it’s just not the patch he asked for. Still, Chicago’s most prominent colors are always the Cubbie Blue up in Wrigleyville, the white caps on Lake Michgan and the red of traffic lights lit up all over downtown. Here’s my attempt to get Chicago framed using those colors.

The Way to Really Fly.

The L

Reaching new heights in the Loop.

A rare traffic lull.

Chicago’s two seasons: Winter and Construction.

Architectural gems.

Cruising.

Unbeatable view.

Field of {broken} dreams

Under the Loop

The mark of a Chicago summer day.

Hey Chicago, whaddya say? Where’s your favorite place in the city? What constitutes Chicago for you?

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About Cat Gaa

As a beef-loving Chicago girl living amongst pigs, bullfighters, and a whole lotta canis, Cat Gaa writes about expat life in Seville, Spain. When not cavorting with adorable Spanish grandpas or struggling with Spanish prepositions, she works in higher education at an American university in Madrid and freelances with other publications, like Rough Guides and The Spain Scoop.

Comments

  1. Awesome pictures as always. I’m glad you were able to catch the condensation on the PBR can (PBR won it’s titular blue ribbon at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago; fun fact). Man, it was hot that day (assuming that’s me based upon the shirt, and holding a PBR can myself, as I’m oft wont to do).

    • Sunshine and Siestas says:

      You know far too much about Chicago, and yes that was your four PBR afternoon! Speaking of Chicago trivia, there were some interesting questions on a trivia card at Lou Mitchell’s, in case you’re interested! Thanks for walking around with me while I took most of these shots!

  2. Great shots! Looks like a great visit :) Is this what you are looking for? http://www.thealleychicago.com/servlet/the-1380/City-of-Chicago-Flag/Detail

    • Sunshine and Siestas says:

      Yes!!!! Will need to get two, but they won’t come in time with the holiday, sadly. Thanks, and sorry it never worked out for seeing one another. Getting downtown is like the bane of my existence, such a pain!!

  3. I’ve only really done the touristy parts, I suppose, so I’m not sure. I mean, I did love sitting along the river watching the water taxis go by. It was a nice spot to sit back and be refreshed.

    I just love the Midwestern vibe. I mean, people think of the Midwest as all cornfields and flat plains. But Chicago is a really fun, unpretentious city.

    • Sunshine and Siestas says:

      I am a Midwest girl, through and though. While I could see myself living in Boston or Colorado, I don’t think I’ll ever feel as comfortable as I do in Chicago! Are you coming up at all before settling back into Spain?

  4. Great photos! I love that last one :)

  5. Wow, superb blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is wonderful, as well as the content!. Thanks For Your article about Postcards from Chicago .

    • Sunshine and Siestas says:

      Hi, thanks for stopping by! I’ve been blogging for five years about life in Spain after uprooting from Chicago. sign up for updates, and you won’t miss a single post!

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  1. […] I was home visiting Chicago, I won a book contest put on by Books4Spain. The book was sent to my house, but no one was home to […]

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