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Evening all. Well, we're here in Chicago and life is pretty damn good. Flew in from Miami on Monday after trauma at the airport, when we turned up only to realise we couldn't find our flight didn't exist. After some mild panic and a few headless chicken moments, we realised we were with a different airline and that the flight did exist after all. Always helps!! Sat by a really interesting Malaysian woman on the plane who taught me all about the history of the stock market and the Rocky films. My God you meet lots of people. Got here at about 6am and were chuffed to find that the the hostel - HI Chicago - is absolutely awesome. Definitely the best we've been in so far, and a nice contrast from the dive we stayed in in Miami. It's like a hotel - they've got a reception, 500 beds, a pool table, table tennis, and...best of all..FREE BREAKFAST! Naturally, I abused this to high heaven and ate like a pig. The rooms are pretty big - 10 in a dorm - and the people are all diverse. People we've met so far include a 9/11 conspiracy theorist, a chef/DJ from Norwich who's travelling the world, (yes, there were lots of Alan Partridge jokes), a Chinese lad called Terry who lives in Canada, and people from Japan, the Phillipines, and the US. We all checked out an authentic Chcago Blues bar tonight which was extremely cool - the old foot was tapping something chronic. I felt like I was in the 40s, complete with sharp suit and tommy gun. I'm not though. Had a really busy day, and have got back into the swing of city life after getting lazy on the beach in Miami. Went up the Sears Tower, which was very impressive but probably not quite on a par with the Empire State Building cos the visibility was a bit poor. Checked out the city today - it feels very individual and has got its own character - it's a bit like New York but smaller, cleaner and less manic. The architecture is amazing. I know I say this about everywhere, but the people are so nice and will go out of their way to help you. Like Boston, there is a strong Irish feel. It's right by Lake Michigan, but I didn't realise how close the city is to the water - there's a pier and everything!! One minute you're surrounded by skyscrapers, the next you could be in Llandudno. Genius. The lake is huge and it feels like the sea. Tomorrow, after more free breakfast joy, we're doing more exploring with Chinese Terry and chef/DJ - doing the boat tour on the river and hopefully checking out Al Capone's favourite bar. Right, that's me done cos I'm sat in the internet cafe in the hostel and it's hotter than the sun. I've never sweated so much in my life and I can't take anymore. We're here in the Windy City (it's not that windy at the min, the weather's been really nice and sunny) until Thu, when we'll either extend our stay or start busing it down south again. So glad we came here, it's another city with a whole style of its own. You would be able to see but the PCs here haven't got a USB port to let you upload pics. BOO! Pics will be on the way soon though - there's loads to show. Caz - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Check your email for a superb e-greeting! Mmm, personal. Over and out - I have to leave before I die through sweating too much. Lots of love, Mike
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