We were nearby today and wondered whether it was possible to walk near the Obama's Chicago residence. The answer is no, you can't walk down their block. A large, dark car drove up to meet us, and Secret Service agent in a heavy vest stepped out and sent us away. He was kind enough to tell us where the best view was around the corner, though. When we got there, a tour bus had pulled over and fifteen or twenty tourists from the continent of Asia were snapping pictures. Tourist, street, mature trees, big brick house through the gap in the trees--this was the picture you could take there. All the blinds were pulled down on the house. It was a beautiful neighborhood.