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tiny_dancer April 4 2007, 05:10:55 UTC
A million and one bajillion points to you for referring to the winter as bipolar ;)

My first impression, when looking at the first few photos, was that Chicago seems a hell of a lot like Montreal--I think on a more grandeur scale, though. When you say skyscraper, by golly you wasn't kiddin'. But just the lamp-posts and the tribute statues struck me a lot like St Joseph's Oratory and other parts, maybe toward the West Island. It's absolutely lovely.

I love how Chicago is just dripping with history--it smacks you full on in the face when you see pictures. whether it's just the way the sidewalks are fashioned or the layout of the parks, you can tell that Chicago just drips culture and hsitory.

But then it started to differ from Montreal when you got to all the parks and green spaces. Even your PARKS seem to have this amazing, gothic-like architecture that just smacks you full on. And I was looking at the red "Stop" signs, and I was trying to figure out why they looked so terribly, horrendously awkward to me, then I realized.

They're in english. how bizarre!

Totally saved these pictures, and put the one of your car in capital letters with tons of exclamation marks along the lines of "MUST IDENTIFY THIS OBJECT UPON LAND!111!!!111!!!!ELEVENTY!!111!"

Love this post, love the pretty lady :)

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warmsound April 4 2007, 05:54:50 UTC
It totally is bipolar. It's been back and forth constantly lately, it's insane. O_o

I can see why you'd see similarities between Chicago and Montreal. There are aspects that I remember seeing in Montreal, too. And haha, yes, our skyscrapers are huge. The pictures here actually aren't even showing some of the REALLY huge ones, like the Sears Tower and such.

You're right - you can see a lot of history with things like you mentioned. It's neat, too, because there's such a mix, overall - old architecture right next to new, Gothic next to modern, etc.

And the parks. Oh yes. Chicago is full of parks and green spaces. That's something the city has always been really committed to preserving. There are so, so many parks, all throughout the city.

And haha, yes, our stop signs are in English. ;D

LMAO about my car. hahahaha! :D

Love this comment, love the pretty Canadian lady.

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jehscribbler April 5 2007, 03:33:26 UTC
When we first saw Montreal, my impression was that Montreal was a 'real' city, like Chicago. One with a history and with a sense of itself that is individual, and one that has grown organically and is not all one of a kind.

But, yes, our skyscrapers are bigger!! This is where the skyscraper got its start, actually. Chicago is known for its architecture, and if you want a fight in this town, declare that you're going to tear down a building or remuddle one of our architectural gems!

And our park system, which was laid out purposely, not just haphazardly, is one of the best in the world. Every neighborhood area has a park, like Kenwood Park, some bigger, some smaller. There are at least 10 parks in the Hyde Park-Kenwood neighborhood alone. And then there are the larger parks, Jackson Park along the South lake shore; Grant Park downtown; Lincoln Park along the North lake shore, with public beaches all along the Lake. And inland, West of Hyde Park there is a huge park, with a small lake, and large playing fields where softball and soccer and cricket are played in the summer, called Washington Park. There are several other large parks inland like that one. And the larger streets have boulevard areas in the middle, planted with grass and plantings. Mayor Daley keeps a good portion of the Midwest's gardening, tree and plant growers in business practically singlehandedly with the plantings, trees, bushes, flowers, in all the parks, along all the streets, and in planters downtown.

You'll be here at the best time to see the city in full bloom!

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