Story behind the image: Navigating tourist traps - "The Bean"

All around the world the are places and people and objects that attract tourist to those destinations. Some of these attractions are intentional, others are not. "The Bean," official entitled "Cloud Gate" by the artist, is no different. This public art installation is at the top of most Chicago travels bucket lists.

The huge, reflective, metal piece reflects the skyline of Chicago and Millennium Park on the sides, the sky on the top, and the people and commotion on the ground from the bottom. The size and the shine are alluring. Now in the digital age, everyone who sees it must have a picture in front of it, reflected in it, or under it. I was no different. This is photo is one of three I have of "The Bean." The other photos are of a quieter time when fewer people were around early in the morning so I could clearly capture the reflection of the buildings across the street.

This photo however more accurately captures what could be expected during your visit. There are people everywhere that will end up in your picture, though there is now fancy editing software to remove them. Most of the object's surface within arms reach is covered in handprints. And if you are able to get to prized spot underneath the center where, like a mirror, the image refracts in multiple directions, the next person is waiting for you to hurry up and figure out how to best take your picture because they think the can do better.

This is not to hate against all tourist attractions. Some of them are actually really cool and totally worth it. Others are just a check off the bucket list, a travel memory to look back at, or a way to not feel left out of what everyone else is doing.

The image: "Cloud Gate" (aka "The Bean"), Chicago, IL, USA (May 2017)