EXCHANGE TO NORTHERN ILLINOIS, USA

FRIENDSHIP FORCE OF THE GOLD COAST
OUTBOUND EXCHANGE to NORTHERN ILLINOIS, USA

Phase #2 - 10th to 17th March, 2007

We were met at O'Hare International Airport by our hosts and after lost luggage reports were finalized we were transported to our hosts homes located in the northern suburbs of Chicago. There was plenty of snow about from a storm during the previous week.

Highlights of the exchange were:

The welcome buffet dinner held at the home of Ted and Diana
Visit to Chicago's Millennium Park to view the stainless steel sculpture ‘Cloud Gate’ which is nicknamed ‘The Bean’.
Chicago Symphony playing George Gershwin's ‘An American in Paris’.
Traveling on the suspended train track ‘The El’ and a visit to some of the locations for the movie “The Blues Brothers”'
The dinner and show at Tommy Gun's Garage.
Tour of the architecture of Chicago hosted by David
Chicago Art Institute
Shopping at Gurney Mills factory outlet
Sugar maple tapping at Ryerson Woods Preserve
The Long Grove Chocolate Factory tour
Dinner at the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort followed by the performance of ‘Grease’ at a theatre in the round.

An Unusual Reflection Photograph
Visiting “'The Bean’', Chicago

Daring Ambassadors and Hosts Standing on Thin Ice
NOTE: Fishing shacks back on left, and ice fishing in progress - way out....

A Great Night at “Tommy Gun's Garage” Restaurant

The farewell dinner gave us the opportunity to say our good byes to our new friends, and to our friends developed during the exchange of North Illinois to the Gold Coast in July 2004. At the farewell dinner we sang “Waltzing Matilda” to the lyrics written by Peter, which was well received.

Time to Say Goodbye.....
Farewell Dinner (St Patrick's Day - note the green beer!)

Beautifully Decorated Farewell Cake
(with more of the colour green!)

NOTE: Northern Illinois Exchange Director was Marie Voecks

To go to our third and final week - click on Lincoln, Nebraska

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