Tolstoy in Albany Park

I have moved. Not in cyberspace, but in real life. I am a proud first-time homeowner (technically I don’t own it yet, but that’s frustratingly complicated) in Albany Park in Chicago, one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the United States. Near my place there is a mosque, a Romanian church, and a Korean church within a block! According to Wikipedia the neighborhood “has one of highest percentages of foreign-born residents of neighborhoods in Chicago.” I am glad to personally add to that count.

I have yet to discover the hidden treasures of Albany Park, but among the plainly visible treasures are its diversity, the west branch of the Chicago River, and Gompers Park.

For the past two weeks I have been traveling a different route to work due to the move. I am taking the Brown Line, which is currently undergoing an infamous multiple-year reconstruction. Still, my travel time has not increased by much, even though I have moved farther from downtown.

But the fact that travel time has somewhat increased and the fact that I am riding the “El” instead of the bus, means that I have more opportunities to read. These past two weeks I have finished two books already: as previously described, Letters from Boerdonk, and Ik Ben Een New Yorker by Dutch journalist Twan Huys. Right now, I am embarking on a more ambitious literary journey (because of this): Tolstoy’s War and Peace. That should take me quite a few train rides.

Here’s more on Albany Park:

• Albany Park on Wikipedia
• Albany Park in the Encyclopedia of Chicago
• Albany Park Theater Project
• Albany Park Neighborhood Council
• Albany Park Community Center
• Albany Park Chamber of Commerce
• Alderman Margaret Laurino
• Chicagoist: Tre Kronor

12 June 2007 | Across the board, All things Chicago | Comments