The Westin Hotel by Chipka
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Description
It is cold in Chicago now, but I remember the warmth. Summer was a brief spell of warmth, an interruption, a meteorological hiccup rather than a season. It was my first summer in Chicago since my departure for the wilds of Prague. My intention was to never return, to be in Moscow by now. Moscow awaits. Patiently. Perhaps a bit sullenly, while I remain in Chicago. I have received word that Prague misses me. My friend Pavl has moved from Prague to Brno, and in a sense, I suspect that Brno misses me, though I was only there once, and not for very long. If Prague is an elegant, half-mad lady, then Brno is her tomboy sister: the kind of girl who could play hockey in high-heeled shoes, or get down and dirty on a farm with the rest of the workers, and never once comment on how dirty her fingernails have become. Prague paints her fingernails; Brno often forgets such niceties. She is beautiful, and just a little bit rough around the edges.
Chicago is a different city all together; a bit of a floozie. She’s garish in her love of the eternal cliché, but she attains a strange sort of beauty at times. She puts on a good show for visitors, which is just a friendly way of saying that she hides her corruption, her potholes, her half-hearted efforts to be something that is not in her nature. There are stretches of the city not worth mentioning, and other stretches of the same city are alive with a spirit born far in the depths of some “foreign” country. But when visitors come, they bring something with them, and the city accommodates that wonder. It happened during the fading days of Chicago’s most recent summer.
When Tara and Marilyn visited, the city was on her best behavior; there was actually sunlight and warmth. As I ambled the nocturnal streets with Tara, with Marilyn, with Mark, and with Corey, we were spared the sight of rats the size of Volkswagens. There were no enormous and intimidating Asian cockroaches in sight. We enjoyed Persian food without reference to the violence that had yet to overcome the heart of what once was Persia: a single sniper’s shot that caught an innocent woman in the chest. The world saw her bleed. She died on camera. But during that brief wondrous period in Chicago’s own biography, such horrors had yet to happen. Things were in balance. On Saturday, when the Oshkosh Contingent arrived, the weather remained temperate and sunny, and later that day (over coffee at Artists’ Café, we discovered a deliciously spooky route to a rather garish set of restrooms.)
Now, I look back at those few days and nights in September, when a number of Renderosity’s artists met. There were photographers in that group, and fine artists of other pedigrees. There were non-artists in the group as well, but genre, medium, and artistic inclination didn’t matter. We were all together, gorging ourselves on great food and even better company, taking countless pictures and talking about whatever subjects sprang to mind. Kafka even made an appearance, quietly so. He vanished for a short time, content to spend time alone in brooding contemplation, but he returned to say good night.
The Westin Hotel is where so much of Renderosity’s action took place; where everyone converged at the beginning of each day or evening. As a result of that, Chicago’s Westin Hotel will always recall fond memories, and conjure the taste of chicken smothered in pomegranate and walnut sauce.
As always, thank you for viewing and reading and commenting, and hopefully everyone is having a great weekend. A special thank you for those who have marked previous posts as favorites. It always means a lot.
Comments (23)
tamburro
Fantastic photo!!!!
Sea_Dog
Wonderful words, Chip. Your descriptions of Prague and Brno as so vivid I feel like I've been there. I like how you tie those to your feelings about Chicago and her unique character. The image is wonderful as well and goes along with your stories of the RR Ninja artist enclave.
MagikUnicorn
Yes cold my friend the wind city ;-)
bmac62
So, that's the Westin. Love the flare of the lights on the edge of nightfall. But, phooey...that's where I had a room reserved too:-( However, good things have come from me not being there so, all is well that ends well ref that trip. Have read and enjoyed the four city tour with you in your narrative above. I suspect all big cities do what Chicago does so well...get a visitor, show them a grand time for 3-4 days and send them home happy before they see too much. New York is fully capable of the same little bit of trickery:)
myrrhluz
I find seeing the world through your words, an enriching experience. Chicago was a good host to me. The weather was a little fickle and flying out on the first day of the marathon was interesting, but I left with very fond memories and a desire to return someday. Seeing her through your work, and that of the other Renderosity artists, adds complex patterns and colors to my first hand memories. Wonderful image and words!
auntietk
Ahhhh ... I can see the window of our room, and the lights are off. Perhaps they are awaiting our return. It WAS beautiful while we were there, and your city showed us her best face, indeed. This image brings back wonderful memories, and I can feel the warm night air, hear the sounds ... thank you!
bimm3d
wonderful photo!!!
koosievantutte
very fine photo. from all your enthousiam i read here over time it almost make me long to go there. i so much enjoy seeing chicago through your eyes, everybody a little bit different, yet all the same. all in friendship. thanks for sharing that feeling.
beachzz
sigh I just want to come back and see more. I especially want to go to the Redhead, hear the blues, see MORE and MORE and MORE.
helanker
It is amazing how you can make me long for going to Chicago. By viewing your Photos but also to read your own experiences while wandering around in the city. I love this beautiful Capture and I love to read your stories about Chicago and the people and creatures of the city. Awesome :)
durleybeachbum
Once again your skilful words make me almost feel I was there! Marvellous, Chip!
claude19
I am a little disappointed about Chicago, as if this city had the devil in her womb. Your realistic text reminds me of other texts that I read about this city ... it seems that despite your 'itchy feet', you always homesick for your country ... like me during the war in Algeria ... Your text very realistic fiat we re-discover a city still marked by its internal history for 100 years ... Thanks for this set, cliche and appropriate text!
danob
Wonderful shot! And such eloquent prose! One day I hope to read one of your novels!!
blondeblurr
It's green lights...for 'GO' and you all went along... but still dreaming of more, more, more...that's human nature. Bertrand Russell said it so well "The main things, which seem to me important on their own account, and not merely as means to other things, are >Knowledge >Art >Instictive happiness and >Relations of friendship or affection." Cheers BB
faroutsider
It's very mean to deliberately foment jealousy... from those of us who missed the magical Renderosity gathering.
MrsRatbag
You make her look beautiful, as only someone who knows her well can do!
flora-crassella
wonderful building and picture!
romanceworks
A grand sparkling photo and fascinating writing. I have been to Chicago many times, from early childhood to now, as my Greek relatives live there. There have been precious moments to remember, endless kisses from aunts, uncles, grandmas, brownstone steps to climb, chicken with oregano and New Year's bread cooking in my yia yia's apartment, a wild time on the roller coaster and freak show at Riverview Park, but I have never see or felt Chicago as you have. Perhaps when I visit again I will look closer.CC
elfin14doaks
The meeting up in Chicago was the highlight of my year so far. I say so far because it is not over yet. This is a great shot Chip.
kgb224
Thank you for sharing all your pictures and story s my friend.Outstanding capture my friend.
ladyraven23452
love it,
mariogiannecchini
Fantastic photo!!!!
gypsyflame
I have visited Chicago many times in my past, my father and my step mom once lived there for many years. I was intriqued by her beauty...I'm not much of a city person, I love the rural area of the world but Chicago will always hold some wonderful memories for me!