Chicago in Black and White

 Chi-town in black and white. I hope you enjoy :-)

Chicago in Colour

Whenever I visit Wisconsin I always make a point of going to Chicago. I love that city, the architecture, the ambience and the fact that you can rent bikes and see the city at your own pace and leisure. I am also a sucker for Garrett's popcorn and a good steak - and while writing this I feel slightly crazy for suddenly craving that so much. 

But the highlight was spending time with Gabsen who was an exchange student with my family the year I was an exchange student in the US. This is many years ago now but time is a funny thing - especially when you feel nothing has changed. It was so joyful to lunch with him, laughing and chatting back and forth in English and Danish. I got a kick out of the waiters who look puzzled at Gabsen when he switched back and forth in languages and it's impressive that after 22 years he's still practically fluent in Danish. 

I took bunch of black and white photos of the city, too. They'll be up tomorrow. Enjoy!!

Lake Michigan - Hues of Blue

I took these pictures yesterday and Lake Michigan has never looked prettier (or maybe it has, I wouldn't know, ha ha)  Anyway, it was a beautiful day and although this is Lake Michigan it could have been Capri, L.A. or anywhere else. Simply stunning hues of blue.

From Van Gogh to Pollock

Tuesday I went to the Calatrava Art Museum in Milwaukee and saw the exhibit From Van Gogh to Pollock. The Calatrava is so impressive and beautiful. I liked the exhibit even if it didn't blow me away. Here's a few snippets of what caught my eye - I did enjoy the modern artists. 

Georgia O'Keefe: Green Patio Door, 1955 

Mark Rothko: Orange and Yellow, 1956

Amedeo Modigliani: La Jeune Bonne, 1918

Stuart Davis, New York Waterfront, 1938

Jackson Pollock: Convergence, 1952

Lee Krasner: Milkweed, 1955

Joseph Kosuth: Three Color Sentence, 1965

Back in the States...

I'm back in the States for a much needed vacation and to have a home away from home is a luxury. The trip here was a hassle (unfortunately) but I know it makes for funny memories later :-) Yesterday we had a little football party (the Green bay Packers won) but since I'm not that much into football (or sports in general) I made sure to excel in devouring wine, cheese, and crackers ;-)

Adventures in America

When I was 16 years old I decided to become an exchange student through Rotary. The interesting thing about making such a decision in a young age is that you're totally unaware of the gifts such an experience will bring you - and little did I know that the gift would last 20 years later.   

And so it is that I just returned from yet another wonderful vacation in Wisconsin where I stayed with my host parents from way back when (my American parents) in what I consider my second home next to Christianshavn called Stonerich. This time I came for Thanksgiving which is my favourite American holiday (the food isn't bad, either, ha ha) and I was also able to join the annual Norwegian Lefse Party held by dear friends. There is quite a bit of Scandinavian influence in the area which is great for me. I take a lot of the things we do here in Denmark/Scandinavia for granted but when presented to me the way my friends do it I see it with new eyes and is reminded of how much we love "hygge" and "aquavit" and simply to just have a good time. 

I've created some "musts" for myself every time I visit and of course shopping is one of them. I have been a loyal customer at Banana Republic since 1993 and pretty much returned with a complete wardrobe this time. Inspired by my American dad's good taste in clothes I ventured into Brooks Brothers in Chicago and shopped in the boy's department which I highly recommend :-) The ambience there is amazing and I was treated very well by the classy staff.

There is, of course, more to life than shopping and to me that's eating :-) Among many culinary pleasures, I enjoyed marvelous meals at the Wisconsin Club where I also love to spend my time. In Chicago I experienced culinary greatness in the Signature Room on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building conveniently located in walking distance from the Four Seasons Hotel where we stayed (yes, it was quiteee cold in ol' Chicagotown). Afternoon tea in the Palm Court at the Drake Hotel was a treat and a great way to say adieu Chicago. Besides that I had the most wonderful French cuisine at Lake Park Bistro and I could go on and on ..... and on and on ..... 

I enjoyed myself tremendously and while writing this I am recovering from jet lag which is always a challenge. It's also a challenge to return home to the darkness but since Christmas is around the corner I'm able to continue the "hygge" and the festivities with people I love. 

Didn't someone say that in the end everything is really just a plane ride away? In my case that means I'll be visiting again soon.

For information and inspiration the orange highlights will take you to the respective webpages. 

Postcard from Istanbul

The Blue Mosque

I just returned from Istanbul where East meets West. I had high hopes for this colourful city rich with history and culture and excited to be spending time with two of my best travel friends from Helsinki, Finland - yes, Laura and Riikka, that's you :-) It took me a little while  to get "under the skin" of Istanbul but once I did the city enchanted me and certainly delivered what I'd hoped for.   

When we visited the Spice Bazaar and the Grand Bazaar the smell of spices combined with burned coal from the street stalls selling roasted chestnuts and corn stopped me in my tracks several times as I immediately was transported back to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.* It actually moved me and made me smile because I've come such a long way since then. I highly recommend anyone to follow their dreams even if it means stepping out of their comfort zone. The rewards are tenfold, trust me :-) 

Anyway, Istanbul reminded me of this and that's what I love about traveling. You are challenged, reminded, educated and enriched at the same time. I will post pictures in random order to give you an idea of the city's diversity and total charming craziness - and honestly, the nicest people I've met in a long time. Enjoy - and oh...!**

*Part of a longer journey I embarked on three years ago as a way of leaving something old behind in the hope of building something new.

** Just a little word on food. We tried a lot but a few things especially caught my attention: 
AYRAN, a cold yogurt beverage mixed with salt. The Turks consider it their national drink - and I'm totally with them on that one :-) 
KUMPIR, a huge baked potato cut open, the white interior flesh smothered with condiments like butter, cheese and salt and then mixed with various fillings you choose yourself (olives, corn, meat, smoked aubergine etc.) 
LOKUM, maybe better known as Turkish Delight (I have a thing with the rose scented kind) and brought home kilos whereas BAKLAVA is way too sweet for me. 
CAY, Turkish tea, (pronounced Chai) 
TURKISH COFFEE, although I am a huge coffee drinker it was too strong for me and became too sweet when adding sugar so I preferred their "Cay" without sugar or a regular cup of black coffee. But it's still worth trying. If you're into coffee I highly recommend buying a bag (or three) of whole beans from MEHMET EFENDI, a veery popular coffee shop located right by the Spice Bazaar. Don't be scared off by the looong line of people waiting because the staff is so efficient that the queue moves faster than any I've ever stood in. Wish it was the same way in airports ;-)