Not Shy in Chi-town

One thing that NOT loves about December is how the world dresses up for Christmas, especially the cities. So he found himself along the Miracle Mile in Chicago amidst the whole holiday rush.

Boy was that a problem for NOT. Being a small duck he quickly became overwhelmed by the crowds, the lights, the noise. He was fascinated with the animals dressing up the FAO Shwartz window, full of large exotic stuffed animals. Too bad the store clerk didn't enjoy the joke when Russ enquired about the price of one of the stuffed animals by asking "How much is that Emu in the Window?"

Near Shwartz is one of the shopping meccas of Chicago - the Watertower. The mall full of trendy shops, expensive baubles and a crush of Christmas shoppers. 

(Crush of Christmas Shoppers - that's a great collective noun, like a Murder of Crows)

Near the mall is the original water tower control station that lends the mall it's name.

NOT liked the architecture a lot more than the soulless mall. He wanted to fly and hide amongst the turrets, but it was a bit nippy for him at the time so he stayed in warm hands. 

Fort Dearborn was the original part of Chicago. Maybe they changed the name to Chicago so as to not be confused with Dearborn, Michigan. NOT didn't know. He just liked that he found where to be, and enjoyed the irony that the site of the fort in the 19th century now housed a .com in the 21st century. 

 Being in downtown Chicago, NOT happily went in search of the Billy Goat Tavern.  

A Chicago institution, it is well known in the city for it's colorful owner, who once tried to bring his billy goat to a Cubs game, only to be turned away. 

To those outside of Chicago it is well known also, though not by the name. For the fans of Saturday Night Live, it's the inspiration for the diner serving up "Cheezeburgers, Cheezeburgers"

Though then there were "No fries, chips,"  NOT found some fries now. 

Funny as the skit might be, NOT found the food to be quite good and he ate his cheeseburger with gusto. 

Photos by J.J. Kwashnak

Last Updated November 2002