Bright Lights in Chicago

Hello from Chicago! I am staying at Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel, 166 East Superior Street Ill 60611 which is centrally located a halfblock east of Michigan Avenue, Chicago's Magnificent Mile. Named such for its world-class retail collection, Michigan Avenue offers some of the best shopping in North America.

The list is just a snap shot of all you will find on the Magnificient Mile namely; Water Tower Place which has an eight story atrium that houses over 100 premier shops and restaurants including Marshall Field's and Lord and Taylor. Abercrombie & Fitch one of my favourite shop, Express and Gap are located on the 6th & 5th floor respectively of the Water Tower Place. I visited these stores today and concluded that brown is the new black now based on the stocks I have seen on display this afternoon.

The other favourite haunt for me is the basement of the Water Tower Place which has a really nice coffee shop and an array of international restaurants and Health Food Shops. Oh, by the way, as you enter the Water Tower Place, there is a kiosk called Wow Bao which serves good oriental cuisine for snacking or a light meal of Rice & Chicken Cashew or Bao which is a bun stuffed with chicken. I would also recommend my favourite drink, the Freshly Made Ginger Ale to guzzle and their Hot and Sour broth which I had today with my lunch - I must have been really hungry!

Chicago Place, which is anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue is also home to 45 other specialty stores and restaurants and Michigan's largest food court;

900 North Michigan which is home to Bloomingdale's Williams-Sonoma and 70 other luxury retail offerings;

Westfield North Bridge Shops is an addition to Michigan Avenue and brings with it Nordstrom, Hugo Boss, Armani Exchange and much more.

If you are tight on budget, you can still shop for your favourite last season brands like the Victorinox Swiss Army apparel, DKNY, Hugo Boss to name the few at the Filene's Basement. I bought myself a pair of luxurious leather gloves today and a Columbia Cirrus Plus Parka which was 40% off original price - a bargain! Also, if you are a coffee addict which I am, Chicago is littered with Starbucks so a patron like me is a happy bunny.

Oh, not forgetting the Apple Store, another favourite place of mine. I always get lost in that store browsing for the latest gadget - (BTW, I'm also a fan of Ipod) updating myself on the latest software on offer; though sometimes pretending to be checking stuff but really checking my e-mails! Naughty me!

I must say, I'm so lucky to visit the most beautiful places in the world owing to my job which is not a bad one. Also, it gives me the chance to practice writing and most importantly able to share my experiences with you first hand; that you might find helpful when you plan to come and visit the places I have been to. If anybody of you want to know about the places I have been to or will be going to - please e-mail me about your queries and I might just be able to help you. My next future trips will be to Dubai; Nairobi, Kenya; Northern Virginia & Washington; London; Toronto; New Jersey and Hong Kong. I will update you on my future travels!

On this visit to Chicago, I would like to thank my very long time, school days best friend; Jerome. For sharing with me his time whilst on my visit to this wonderful town. Thank you for sharing with me your favourite Japanese Restaurant, the guided tour of your house, for sharing your horse named Marco a thorough-bred which was very unexpected last night. I must say, you kept me awake longer than I anticipated at the stables watching those gorgeous creatures, the cats and his friends Pauline and her daughter!

I will try and write a blog at least once a week if time permitting so please visit my site once in a while if not regularly. You might just find some of my travels interesting!

Look after yourselves and God Bless,

Alan

P.S. The Magnificent Mile is beautifully lit at night like a clear sky that's full of a thousand twinkling stars . Only, the Avenue sparkles - truly a gem! A beautiful find!