We had a wonderful day walking through downtown. Lora was a great guide, showing us the city and how to manage the rules of this new place. The kids wanted to ride the trains, and i could easily have gotten us lost, or been stressed trying to manage on my own. She made it very easy to use the system. We were able to ride the blue line into town, walk around downtown for the afternoon, meet Bill for dinner and pizza, and then go to Union Station and ride a double decker train home at night. So we were able to ride a diesel and electric train, and experienced what it is to "be" on a train, catch a train, etc. The kids and I loved it! Johnny made a friend on his first ride, and he even smiled in a picture with us. We had a great time taking in the downtown. The architecture is truly a marvel to behold, and speaks the history of the city. I love the old buildings with engravings, with incredible character and beauty. They reminded me of the beauty of Rome and Salzburg. I just love the older craftsmanship, and details. Some of the new buildings were surprisingly beautiful too (in their sleek, modern way). I have a new respect for window cleaners, just watching them on the tall buildings made me uneasy. We could feel the constant pulse of people, of honking, of fellow tourists, and being able to take it in without a schedule was really relaxing. It was overcast, and windy but comfortable, and although it threatened, it never rained. Our poor tired toddlers pushed on without a nap, and instead they had a little ice cream and played ring a round the rosy downtown in the park. Monica was a huge help, a giant walking, talking playfriend with boundless energy. I watched the kids and photographed them as they laughed and chased each other under the same blue sky as we have in Ohio, and yet surrounded by buildings, and people, and it made me pause as city life is all so very different. I realized for a moment, we could be living there as easily as we live here, and everything seemed surreal. It would be fun, but so different. I guess we're not city mice, and we're not exactly country mice, we're suburb mice, who like to visit both, but don't really know how to live in either. There's nothing like traveling to open one's eyes. My small world of my home, caring for little ones, and living quietly our little family, was reawakened by this little visit to the big city. It was our first big adventure with toddlers. They may never remember it, but Joseph sure will. He had a great time.
We had a wonderful day walking through downtown. Lora was a great guide, showing us the city and how to manage the rules of this new place. The kids wanted to ride the trains, and i could easily have gotten us lost, or been stressed trying to manage on my own. She made it very easy to use the system. We were able to ride the blue line into town, walk around downtown for the afternoon, meet Bill for dinner and pizza, and then go to Union Station and ride a double decker train home at night. So we were able to ride a diesel and electric train, and experienced what it is to "be" on a train, catch a train, etc. The kids and I loved it! Johnny made a friend on his first ride, and he even smiled in a picture with us. We had a great time taking in the downtown. The architecture is truly a marvel to behold, and speaks the history of the city. I love the old buildings with engravings, with incredible character and beauty. They reminded me of the beauty of Rome and Salzburg. I just love the older craftsmanship, and details. Some of the new buildings were surprisingly beautiful too (in their sleek, modern way). I have a new respect for window cleaners, just watching them on the tall buildings made me uneasy. We could feel the constant pulse of people, of honking, of fellow tourists, and being able to take it in without a schedule was really relaxing. It was overcast, and windy but comfortable, and although it threatened, it never rained. Our poor tired toddlers pushed on without a nap, and instead they had a little ice cream and played ring a round the rosy downtown in the park. Monica was a huge help, a giant walking, talking playfriend with boundless energy. I watched the kids and photographed them as they laughed and chased each other under the same blue sky as we have in Ohio, and yet surrounded by buildings, and people, and it made me pause as city life is all so very different. I realized for a moment, we could be living there as easily as we live here, and everything seemed surreal. It would be fun, but so different. I guess we're not city mice, and we're not exactly country mice, we're suburb mice, who like to visit both, but don't really know how to live in either. There's nothing like traveling to open one's eyes. My small world of my home, caring for little ones, and living quietly our little family, was reawakened by this little visit to the big city. It was our first big adventure with toddlers. They may never remember it, but Joseph sure will. He had a great time.
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