Where in the World Is Mayor Daley?

By Alicia Dorr in News on May 8, 2006 3:10PM

As you may have already heard, Mayor Daley has been going crazy with the globe-trotting the last few days. In the manner of Carmen Sandiego and her gumshoes, Daley has been popping up all over, chiefly in Chicago’s sister city Amman, Jordan.

Daley set out to the Middle East to learn more about security and how to beef up security in Chicago. It seems to make sense, since Jordan is still strengthening its own security in the wake of three bombings at hotels last year. Then again, we’re not sure how comparable these cities and sites are to Chicago, but, eh, who knows. He also got to spend some time taking pictures with his wife and daughter at the archeological remains of Petra, which we’re sure was nothing compared to the Bean. Ahem.

Daley did not end up visiting the controversial West Bank barrier as he was scheduled to do, generally because it really isn't the best photo op. Now Daley is heading to Beijing for the one-two punch of increasing Chicago’s visibility with Chinese business and studying how they got the 2008 Olympic bid. Apparently the mayor is really serious about vying for the games, so more power to him. He will, however, be back for former patronage chief Robert Sorich's trial, which we’re sure he’s excited about. Ahem.