Air Force One

I adore my internship, irrespective of whatever said and done. And besides all the once in a lifetime experiences that I had undergone, working in the airport has it’s own distinctions, namely because it’s usually the first stop for most tourists, before they enter the concrete walls of Chicago. 

2008 and 2009 brought Chicago into the stage of the world – namely because the world’s most famous celebrity, President Obama was from the south side Chicago, the place where I’m living right now. There is this potent pride that exist among Chicagoans wasn’t here before…

Today was just like any other day. I boarded the bus that was supposed to take me to Terminal 2 where I’ll then catch the Blue Line all the way back to the city. “Sir, this bus ain’t gonna move till 5.45pm.” said the driver. “WHAT?? WHY?” I exclaimed. “Didn’t you know? President Obama just landed in the O’Hare Airport. The Air Force One is here.” beamed the driver, who I suspect is a native Chicagoan. “They sealed off all ground transportation. So it’s gonna be awhile….” he continued as he went back reading his Chicago Tribune Newspaper.

The streets were eerily empty. Obvious policemen and unmistakable black jacketed Secret Service personals patrolled the street. I didn’t dare to take any photographs, fearing that they might think that I am some Chinaman terrorist and will then subsequently blow my brains off. 

Policemen and Secret Service at strategic points

But here’s the only BLURRY picture I got of the Air Force One from the moving train. It’s accompanied with two Marine One (Helicopters).

See the plane with 2 helicopters?

It is interesting days like this that make working in O’Hare bearable. 

Last 5 posts by Jian Wei

• One Minute to Midnight - January 1st, 2011
• Prophecy - December 31st, 2010
• Footprints We Leave Behind - November 4th, 2010
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