Looking Back: An October Day in Chicago

 

I took the L down to Jackson and walked east to Buckingham Fountain. Such a great fountain and a familiar sight. Next I walked to Marshall Field to see the Tiffany ceiling. Beautiful, and from a different era. Then I continued on to the public buildings and their associated sculptures; Dubuffet, Miro, Picasso. I was standing by the Picasso (now a favorite slide and skateboard ramp) when a tour group gathered next to me. I decided to listen in, and then I mingled with the group and joined their walking tour. I gathered the theme of the tour was Chicago's famous crooks; mobsters, crooked politicians, serial killers. The guide put on a pretty good show and projected his banter over the din of the city. He used a nasally Chicago accent - Chi-cah-go, cah-fee shop. Whether this was his own or an actor's portrayal, I don't know. But it was effective. The stories were sometimes engaging and pointed. At other times they only vaguely applied to the walking stops. But it was an entertainment. I've included a photo of the tour guide. In lieu of purchasing a ticket I gave him a generous tip.