Anyone traveling in the midwest probably has a story about O’Hare airport in Chicago.  Whether it’s air traffic congestion, weather delays (summer and winter), or crowded facilities, there are lots of ORD anecdotes – and they’re usually about how long a traveler was stuck at the airport.

The City of Chicago’s Office of Tourism can’t solve those airport delays, but they can help make any airport delay time a little more pleasant with its new website Explore Chicago, and two technology lounges in Terminal 2 and 50 computers located throughout the airport.

With help from technology sponsor HP, each high-tech lounge offers a comfortable place to relax, amidst large scale panoramas depicting attractions around the city.  With some pretty cool technology, any traveler with even a modest camera, can take real looking photos of the panoramic city skyline, Millennium Park, the inside of the Field Museum, and more.  Put yourself in the photo and no one need ever know that you never left the airport! 

OK,so the real point is to allow you to use this cool technology to explore the city while at the airport, not fool your friends!  So check out Explore Chicago and learn about area events, tours and attractions, Chicago neighborhoods, and more.  The multi-media content includes slide shows, audio tours, video clips,and download brochures and maps.  It’s designed so even the least tech-savvy traveler can access information before setting off for the city.

I haven’t been to Chicago for quite awhile, and while I’d never hope for any airport delay, I hope that I’ll have some ground time to check out this display.  It sounds pretty cool.  Anybody see it yet?

Photo credit:  flickr

Some people embrace new technology with excitement. They want to buy new gadgets and find out every detail about them . They read the owners manual and locate all the short cuts.

I’m not one of those people.

I got my first cell phone in January. I was completely resistant to the idea. Frankly, I don’t want everyone in the world to be able to contact me at any time. It’s intrusive. There’s no incommunicado left.

We got it because my husband really had to have one. I guess he felt left in the dark ages.

Cell #1 - Ainsley dropped it in the toilet. Splash.

Cell #2 - Zack carried it into the shower while I was doing my sinus wash miracle cure for allergies. ZACK!!!

Do you know they now how a little strip of paper inside the cell phone that changes color when it’s been touched by water? Like a pregnancy test? So, you can’t lie and say it never got dropped in the toilet or shower. See how smart they are?

If they’re so smart, why can’t they invent a WATERPROOF phone?