You must be numb to the fact that that single building epitomizes the greatest era of your city. Visit it, if not to take a train, to witness and learn what was built to grace cities before the curse of modernism.
I'm well aware of Chicago's architectural history, and I have marvaled at Union station both before and after recent renovations. But, at some point it becomes a place to catch the train. BTW, for any architecture buffs out there there are a variety of street and even river tours in the city that visit exceptional sites.
Someone once said it has all the disadvantages of New York with none of the advantages.
I have spent quite a bit of time in NYC, and my opinion is the opposite. If you just consider odor, downtown Chicago has NYC beat. NYC is a great city, and Manhattan an exciting place, but to me it's just too crowded, gray, dirty, expensive, rude and impersonal for my tastes. All cities have some of this, but for its size Chicago seems to feel more "Toronto" like. Daley may be a tool, but he does keep the city polished up nicely.
... and drinking Old Style
Beetle, for the love of god man, why Old Style? You come from a country that actually produces good beer. I loved Old Style in High School because the bottle was shaped like a little hand grenade at the time and you could toss them far and listen to the empty "explode." Plus, I loved any cheap form of alcohol that I could get my hands on.
Charon
