It’s over!

The last two days time was flying. Press conferences, appointments, inofficial meetings and „chats“, mostly to refresh old friendships and business relations. IPW mostly is about meeting people and about sticking in their memories. Actually, it’s been a good conference in total, though it was so much different from Go West in Tacoma before. Apart from size it’s much more „formal“ and much more about big events and parties, seeing and beeing-seen.

San Francisco, as always, had the craziest party during IPW, at the historic Palmer House Hilton. I was wondering how much these (six-pack-loaded, handsome) guys earn for standing on stage, some in sort of a cage, in heavy boots (but not much else) and dancing all evening, while enthusiastic high-heeled ladies in little black dresses or equally fancy dressed gentlemen showed off in front of them on the dancefloor.

Yesterday, lunch was sponsored by different U.S.States and typical specialities were served buffet-style (see pic). Also they had special presents (like cowboy hats from Texas, and P. of course, needed one...) and special activities (like photo shootings or signings) going on.

The closing party in the evening took place in the Museum of Science & Industry on the former World Exhibition grounds from 1892/93, situated south of the Loop. They had elaborately designed different Chicago neighborhoods in the museum and were serving the matching ethnic food, though in small quantities. As always, alcohol was served in abundance. Wished more anti-alcoholic cocktails or juices or such would have been available. Several stages again, main attraction was the performance of local singer Jennifer Hudson. Many went crazy about her, not us.

Would have loved to hear more Blues, assuming that Chicago would emphasize its very own musical roots. Unfortunately there was not much, e.g. no Buddy Guy – the local Blues hero – or another blues band. Also, wished that at least one event would have taken place closer to or in downtown. Conference people didn’t have much opportunity to see the city, since we were always brought out of town by busses, always to the south. And, Deep Dish Pizza, allegedly invented in Chicago, was offered at none of the parties or events.

Yesterday in the afternoon we checked out more neighborhoods for our guidebook. We took the bus to the Museum Campus with the Field Museum, the Adler Planetarium (see pics) and the Aquarium. From there we enjoyed the gorgeous view of the Chicago skyline with blue skies! Navy Pier is under construction, so that may have been a reason that they didn’t choose this place for one of the parties. It's become warmer the last days, but still, the landscape is pretty brown and dull, trees leafless still.