It is my favorite time of the year. Autumn! Followed
by the Winter.
While I was walking through the lovely
brightly lit streets of Chicago Downtown with one of my best friends, chit
chatting and catching up with life events in intense and interesting conversations, reminded me of my
initial days (2011) which I had spent exploring the city on my own. All the memories and good times distilling through my mind briefly flashed in
my eyes, and flowing through my face made my lips form a simple curve which has
often set things right for me!
Hence a post, briefing on why Chicago and I got involved, and our sweet love affair.
I came to Chicago in the fall of 2011. The moment I landed from the aircraft after an exhaustively 23 hour long journey all across the Atlantic, I felt like I was into a place similar to what I had been living in. The zest and flavor of the enriching city was so much similar to that of my former love, Mumbai. I have always loved Mumbai, it has a special place in my heart. It had been a magnificent teacher, a splendid place which I now call ‘Home’. But Chicago was something more, something different, something charismatic. It was a home away from home.
Getting over with my jet-lag, I planned to roam around the city before I could get ready to give myself a kick-start for the new phase of my life. There is nothing more freeing and empowering than learning to like your own company and thus I liked the idea of exploring the city on my own. I decided to go the North Side of the Chicago, which is more often called the ‘Downtown’. I was already captivated with the sensuality and magnetism of the city and was on my way to spoil myself in this mystic pleasure. I always prefer public transport (in a city) to a taxi and hence boarded the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) train line (It was the closest and cheapest mode of transport). The train was filled with people from various origins; their different facial expressions, personalities and wardrobes present added sparkle to the otherwise dull and uninteresting dimension of the public transportation system. Reaching Downtown, I felt the same joy and excitement that you see in a child in an amusement park. I got on the streets and began walking aimlessly around the city. Several vivid and sensual impressions of beautiful people all around, children laughing, lovers kissing, bands playing jazz music at one of the side walks and the sunlight wetting the city were absolutely mesmerizing. That moment made me realize one thing, boundaries don’t keep other people out, they fence ‘you’ in. The city swept me away from my feet by its marvelous architecture; the masterpieces reflected the perfect proximity of intelligent human artworks and impeccable machinery skills. The beautiful buildings and high rises were a perfect contrast of normal and extraordinary illusions. The city was truly a paradise!
Hence a post, briefing on why Chicago and I got involved, and our sweet love affair.
I came to Chicago in the fall of 2011. The moment I landed from the aircraft after an exhaustively 23 hour long journey all across the Atlantic, I felt like I was into a place similar to what I had been living in. The zest and flavor of the enriching city was so much similar to that of my former love, Mumbai. I have always loved Mumbai, it has a special place in my heart. It had been a magnificent teacher, a splendid place which I now call ‘Home’. But Chicago was something more, something different, something charismatic. It was a home away from home.
Getting over with my jet-lag, I planned to roam around the city before I could get ready to give myself a kick-start for the new phase of my life. There is nothing more freeing and empowering than learning to like your own company and thus I liked the idea of exploring the city on my own. I decided to go the North Side of the Chicago, which is more often called the ‘Downtown’. I was already captivated with the sensuality and magnetism of the city and was on my way to spoil myself in this mystic pleasure. I always prefer public transport (in a city) to a taxi and hence boarded the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) train line (It was the closest and cheapest mode of transport). The train was filled with people from various origins; their different facial expressions, personalities and wardrobes present added sparkle to the otherwise dull and uninteresting dimension of the public transportation system. Reaching Downtown, I felt the same joy and excitement that you see in a child in an amusement park. I got on the streets and began walking aimlessly around the city. Several vivid and sensual impressions of beautiful people all around, children laughing, lovers kissing, bands playing jazz music at one of the side walks and the sunlight wetting the city were absolutely mesmerizing. That moment made me realize one thing, boundaries don’t keep other people out, they fence ‘you’ in. The city swept me away from my feet by its marvelous architecture; the masterpieces reflected the perfect proximity of intelligent human artworks and impeccable machinery skills. The beautiful buildings and high rises were a perfect contrast of normal and extraordinary illusions. The city was truly a paradise!
The
day went by roaming around aimlessly from one place to another, from one street
to another and meeting new faces. While the evening was covering the sky and slowly the
black net of night was bulging, overflowing with its glittering haul of city
lights and stars, my ears began to ring with the very different sounds
of people singing and laughing in the street each with a distinct tempo.
All this while thinking and unfolding my thoughts, I realized how my pursuit of achieving my dream, the invaluable guidance from my well-wishers, the strongest friendships, the love-hate relationships and the best made decisions (then thought worst!) has landed me on the other end of the globe. It was because of these events that I could take the courage to get out of my comfort zone, trust my instincts, and fly to Chicago to pursue what I believed in. Amongst all the lessons that I have learned in life, one of the most important things which I now believe in, is, if you believe in your dreams and you are willing to take the chance without giving a damn about what anyone would think about you, then the view from the other side is absolutely spectacular!
It was late night and I decided to head home. I dint know then, what was in store for me and where I might land up. Knowing none of it, I was falling for the city and its people. I fell, truly did, before the smile faded from my lips, into a dreamless, gentle sleep in my bed. I had fallen; unaware of the fact that it was the 'love at first sight!'
It truly was.
All this while thinking and unfolding my thoughts, I realized how my pursuit of achieving my dream, the invaluable guidance from my well-wishers, the strongest friendships, the love-hate relationships and the best made decisions (then thought worst!) has landed me on the other end of the globe. It was because of these events that I could take the courage to get out of my comfort zone, trust my instincts, and fly to Chicago to pursue what I believed in. Amongst all the lessons that I have learned in life, one of the most important things which I now believe in, is, if you believe in your dreams and you are willing to take the chance without giving a damn about what anyone would think about you, then the view from the other side is absolutely spectacular!
It was late night and I decided to head home. I dint know then, what was in store for me and where I might land up. Knowing none of it, I was falling for the city and its people. I fell, truly did, before the smile faded from my lips, into a dreamless, gentle sleep in my bed. I had fallen; unaware of the fact that it was the 'love at first sight!'
It truly was.
