Angelika There aren't many American cities that really blow you away, as many get lost in the monotony of suburbs and skyscrapers (San Francisco and New York are, of course, not included here). Since many people have repeatedly told us how amazing Chicago is and I had never set foot in this city, we thought, why not just fly there for New Year's Eve?

Michael had actually been there once before, 20 years ago, but he could only vaguely remember that he and his friend Christian had wanted to visit the zoo in Chicago. However, upon exiting the subway, they walked in the wrong direction and ended up in a rough neighborhood that shocked them so much that they never made it to the zoo.

Now you must know that Chicago is colloquially known as the "windy city," which didn't initially impress me much as a true North German. However, in winter, the temperatures there are similar to those in Germany, and there's snow as well. So, we reconsidered and stocked up on winter jackets and boots. A wise decision, because on New Year's Eve it promptly snowed, and it was cold in Chicago.

Nonetheless, we really liked the city. Not only is there a great subway system (not a given in America), but it even has the romantic variant where the trains partially run as elevated trains through downtown and other neighborhoods. And that in the truest sense of the word, because the system is quite old in some parts. The mix of the most modern architecture alongside old, still ornate skyscrapers and historic brownstone buildings gives the city a special touch. You can also find charming little neighborhoods like in San Francisco, without chain stores but with interesting, independent shops and good restaurants in Chicago. The Wicker Park neighborhood, for example, reminded us of Valencia Street in San Francisco. Rundbrief 08/2007 By the way, Chicago has a lake ("Lake Michigan") right in the middle of the city (hence the wind), which is surely wonderful in the summer, but not suitable for delicate Californian plants in the winter. We spent hours in the heated "Art Institute," an impressive, enormous museum that offers everything from European and American paintings to photography and contemporary modern art, delighting the heart of any art lover. So if you're planning your next trip to America, don't hesitate to put Chicago on your list.

Good evening, everyone!

The translation of "Angelika & Michael" to English is "Angelika & Michael," as these are proper names and typically do not change when translated between languages.

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• More topics you might be interested in:

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  	San Francisco Views: Hunters Point
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