Our trip to Pilsen

1. Pilsen
Team Members: Jessica Haley, Marcela Mendoza, Blaine Danielson, Vasilios Christides
Our Group Picture:

2. How to get there from Loyola...
-Without taking public transportation, the fastest way to get to Pilsen from Loyola would be to take Lake Shore Dr. South. Once you reach Jackson St. turn right (West) and quickly make another right (South) onto S Columbus Dr. Once again you will make another right onto Congress Pkwy. until you merge onto I-290 W. You will then exit at S Ashland Ave. and continue South until you reach the destination.
-Using public transportation, the most efficient way of getting to Pilsen from Loyola is to take the Red Line from Loyola towards 95th St. exiting at Jackson and transferring to the Pink Line at the Harold Washington Library Station. You will then take the Pink Line toward 54/Cermak until you arrive at Damen-Cermak.

3. Pilsen’s History
-Over 150 years old
-Mostly immigrants
-Originally Eastern Europeans, now it has shifted to predominantly Latino.
-Because of heritage, lots of artwork on the streets

4. Demographics
Males: 24,423median age: 32.8 years
Females: 20,471median age: 32.4 years

5. Landmarks and Activities
So we went around the neighborhood and saw a lot of art, we even went to the Mexican Art- institute! And went to the park and saw a bicycle marathon and it was a fun event!

6. Marcela: I had a fun experience, we got lost a few times but it made it more interesting because we ended up in places with a lot of artwork on walls.
Blaine: It was a very fun experience because I am getting to know a city that I am not used to. I love learning more about the different cultures that make up Chicago.
Jessica: I had a great experience getting to know more than just the typical neighborhoods around Loyola and getting to see a different culture expressed throughout Pilsen.
Vasilios: Personally, I had a great time in Pilsen. It was great to explore a new neighborhood of Chicago that I had not been to before. My time spent there was insightful as I was able to see the true diversity of Chicago.
Our Experience

7. Impact on how we see Chicago now
Vasilios: Being from Chicago originally, after this trip I was able to venture out and explore the different aspects of Chicago. I was able to see the various diverse cultures that exist right in the heart of Chicago that I had never experienced before. I will now be more open to exploring the various neighborhoods around me.
Jessica: Having been to Chicago multiples of times I knew there was more to see than what tourists usually due, but to experience and go into real Chicago beyond what everyone thinks Chicago is reminds me of how diverse and expressive Chicago is.
Marcela: Chicago is so diverse and full of culture, I learned how people in Pilsen really express themselves through murals and art, displaying their heritage.
Blaine: I have seen how different Chicago is. It is very eye opening seeing all of the different cultures, especially ones like Pilsen!

8. What did we learn?
Blaine: I learned about all that Chicago has to offer with its’ diversity. I can go to many different neighborhoods to learn about many different cultures.
Vasilios: I learned that Chicago is a melting pot of cultures and that each culture is as integral a part to the community as the next. It is the combination of cultures that makes Chicago what it really is.
Jessica: I learned about the Hispanic culture as we went through the Museum there that had an exhibit on Day of the Dead, as well as Hispanic art in general.
Marcela: I learned about the Day of the Dead and how it is a day dedicated to celebrating the dead and also a form of paying respect to loved ones.

9. Citations
"Loyola University Chicago to Data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x880fd1a0d95c53a9:0x42b5c8e3d98f2dff!2m2!1d- 87.657866!2d41.99862!1m5!1m1!1s0x880e2d07e03f0539:0x35ce9f4e4d513ad2!2m2!1d-87.6679438!2d41.8574835 - Google Maps." Loyola University Chicago to 1645 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2014.
"About Pilsen." -Chicago Neighborhoods. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.