Having lived in Chicago for 5 years, I still want to experience going up to the tallest building in Chicago, the Willis Tower.

Its former name was Sears Tower, completed in 1973, and it was the tallest building in the world for a long time. I remember that one building in Chicago was number 1 in height when I lived in Korea. Since this building is taller than the Empire State Building in New York, I have always wanted to go up there at least once.

Taking a day off from work, I decided to take an Uber to Willis Tower as soon as I woke up.

From below the building, it was an imposing black structure that shot straight up into the sky. The clouds reflected in the glass made it feel like the entire city revolved around this building. Upon entering, I had to pass through a metal detector, and most of the people in line were tourists.

The elevator doors closed, and the numbers quickly ascended. 10th floor, 20th floor, 50th floor, 80th floor... In just 60 seconds, I arrived at the 103rd floor observation deck (Skydeck). The change in air as the doors opened, the slight pressure in my ears, and the view that unfolded before my eyes were truly overwhelming. All of Chicago's buildings spread out beneath me, and I could see Lake Michigan in one glance.

The highlight of the observation deck was undoubtedly 'The Ledge'.

A transparent glass box protruded from the building, and standing on it, I could see the ground 400 meters below my feet. Haha.

At first, I was scared and only lifted my toes slightly, but because the glass was transparent, I felt like I was floating in mid-air. My legs went weak, and my heart raced. But after a few seconds, I understood why people were lining up to experience this. The thrill felt in that transparency was exhilarating. It was a great experience that made my heart race after a long time.

The boundary between the lake and the city was clear, and the cars on the road looked tiny like ants. Flags fluttered in the breeze, the distant Navy Pier, and yachts gliding across the lake were all visible. With no noise at all, it felt as if Chicago had momentarily paused. Below, people must have been moving busily, though.

Chicago once suffered a great fire that burned most of the city. Yet, on that rubble, such a skyscraper was built. It seemed to symbolize Chicago's resilience and spirit of challenge. Standing high up can make a person feel small, but it also made me realize how much energy the city holds.

On the way down, everyone in the elevator was quiet. While going up, there was excitement, but on the way down, there was a lingering feeling. I stepped outside and looked up at the building again. It was the same building, but the feeling before going up and after coming down was completely different. It looked like not just a 'tall building', but a symbol of the city's history and the dreams of its people.

The admission fee for the Willis Tower observation deck is honestly not cheap. But the experience is worth every penny.

If you are traveling to Chicago, I want to say that this place is not just a tourist spot, but a 'must-visit place at least once.'