So I am off again, to a new place, but not a new Country. Yes I am returning to my routes and heading back to my spiritual home of America! Actually not sure I can call it that anymore ever since my world trip. Wasn't the same when I finished off there last time… although driving the west coast, seeing Nils and my time in NYC was awesome as ever… just felt a little different to the old parties in Colorado, Vegas and Salt Lake - arhh fun times.Well this time around Chicago, mobster capital of America - I just know that from the old Capone stories… Business Class seats on Virgin Atlantic - Nice! Very happy with that, and since Virgin and Singapore Airlines are my favorite! Flight was good - but very long - 8 hours - craziness. Slept a bit of the way though, due to partying in Cardiff the night prior and watching the Hatton Fight (rubbish!). Also saw Stardust which was awesome!Upon arrival you could feel the chill in the air, and see the snow on the ground - how exciting…Chicago itself is very different to the other cities I have visited - I love the skyline … but due to the Ice storms I really didn't get to see it until the last day.So what did we do… well we shopped and shopped and shopped - that's what happens when you go away with three women. Cheese from NZ, and two of her friends Adele and Kelly (funny girls). Actually we didn't just shop - we also ate everything in sight - yep it was a good holiday!Ok anyway back to the City, we stayed just out of the centre - around a ten minute walk from the Sears Building… At night the city gleams - just like New York, but a smaller version. Winter time though be warned it is pretty cold, think it went down to minus 10 one night :-(.Walking the city is how I prefer it anyhow, is gorgeous. With lake Michigan just to the side, and a river going straight through the centre (just like London!. We visited the John Hancock Building, the first of the two large skyscrapers to be built, but the weather impeded any real views, kind of misty though, was a good look. Tip - do not pay for the observatory at the John Hancock, just head to the bar - its free!This building is at the end of a road called "the Mile" which is a mile full of shops - it was the girls paradise! I didn't find that much up in Chicago though, they are so far from the sea all the surf/skate wear is non existent, even though it has 2 Macys stores, a Bloomingdales and countless other shops - no Pac Sun - very disappointed - I love that store! Oh well…We saw the Bulls demolish the Supersonics at basketball which want the most exciting of games but seeing the legendary Bulls play was pretty sweet…plus they do have Ben Wallace - great player! I don't think the girls enjoyed it though… :-(The nightlife was a bit lacking, but maybe that was because it was the beginning of the week, The Blues Bar was pretty rubbish - due to the fact the band playing just kept bursting into Guitar Solos every song - got really annoying! But the food was nice… However there is a dueling Piano Bar across the road which was way more fun… We also saw a Hiro Nacomora look alike in the bar which Adele and I were very impressed by - Save the Cheerleader - Save the World…Ok back to the city, The Pier is really a kids attraction, although during the summer it would be great I am sure. And the highlight of the trip was the city views, it really is gorgeous. Up the Sears Tower (3rd largest in the world!) you can see for miles. Also from the Park opposite where we stayed - on Michigan Avenue, the views are tremendous - even in the snow! They also have a reflective bean in town which sounds dubious but actually is pretty cool! It reflects the cityscape and you can have some great photo opportunities here!In all it is a friendly city, with lots of shops (just not good shops!), and I would like to visit again, maybe with a car so I could get to Milwaukee and Indiana as well, and see the city from a distance. A great taste of American life again though - including those yummy Buffalo Wings...I have to admit though, coming home was a serious depressing moment, just because I got a little taste of my passion again, and now have to wait until Feb for me…Thank you Cheese x