The Big Apple and the Big Bean Dip, part 4

The Big Apple and the Big Bean Dip, part 4

After a bit of housekeeping, I started out at a new coffee shop, Asado Coffee Roasters, on West Erie Street across from UNAM.   Today, it was a one-woman show as one person was playing both roles of barista and cashier.   The non-fat mocha came out well, with the right balance of espresso and cocoa.   I’ll recommend it as an alternative to the chains, if you happen to be in these parts.  

I used my Ventra card (these come in handy - I recommend looking into them!) to take the 66 bus down to Michigan Avenue, to take my downtrodden laptop to the Apple Store for what I hoped would be an inexpensive repair, which turned out to be the case (a crashed hard drive, but under warranty, and most of my documents are saved on cloud servers anyway).  While the machine was undergoing surgery, I played tourist and headed to Millennium Park.   I made witness to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, a lovely amphitheater with a large metal sculpture above the stage which, to me, is reminiscent of the sails of a large sailing ship:

   

Next, was the Cloud Gate Sculpture, otherwise known as the Big Bean:

 

Like the fountain in Grant Park, this sculpture was a tourist magnet, with people of different nationalities snapping selfies and group photos around the the reflection provided by this sculpture-serving-as-a-mind-trip.    If you really want a psychedelic effect, or a case of vertigo, walk underneath the bean and take a photo straight up:

 

The reflections are, in a word, a trip.   

I then walked a few blocks, down to the Michigan And Wacker Corner Bakery Cafe.  It turned out to be a reasonably priced place to get a quick lunch, especially consider that were were on the tony “Magnificent Mile”.  I had a spicy chicken wrap (and boy, was it spicy!), and a pineapple and mango smoothie.  I also couldn’t resist in indulging in a Blueberry Hand Pie and a Vanilla Whoopie Pie.   I knew I was going to walk it off, anyway, so why not.   I was just finishing my last bite when the Apple Store called to tell me the computer was finished.  

After a few hours of rest back at the hotel (and additional laptop setup),  I headed back out to Grant Park.   I wanted to see it, and the surrounding area, while the sun was still out.   The scene was idyllic for this city and this time of year:  bicyclists, walkers, and joggers negotiating their way around each other on Lake Shore Boulevard and the walkway next to the lake, the occasional couple or family on the lawns, the sound of the lake lapping against the retaining wall, the sailboats and powerboats in the near distance.   I continued up the walkway, which branched out in different directions that took you to the Shedd Aquarium, the Planetarium, Field Museum, and Soldier Field.   All of those attractions within a very short walking distance from each other - uncommonly wise planning for most cities I can name.   I plan on heading back here for at least one of the attractions prior to departing for New York.   

I took the 6 bus over to The Gage, a higher-end eatery and bar with what looked to be a higher-end clientele.   Prepare to spend if you go here: my fish and chips (which were quite good) and Chimay ale went for $34 without the tip.   This is one of those places where you pay as much for the atmosphere and the opportunity to rub shoulders with the well-heeled as much as for the food or drink.   Afterward, I took the “L” for the first time in 5 years back to the hotel.   

More tomorrow.