4th Nov 2007…

Free courtesy taxi ride to the hostel at 3.30am thanks to Jason. He decided to go out but I wasn't up for that, so decided to chill in the TV room as wasn't allowed to check in until 4pm. Got some sleep but wasn't really allowed to sleep in there so kept getting woken up. Pain in the ass!

Walked around the city at 10ish - I think - time difference messed me up plus daylight saving. Went to milleium park and saw 'the bean' - so cool. Then strolled up to Navy pier. Headed back to the hostel where I met Catherine - 19, S African, Port Elizabeth. Really nice girl, went for a walk in the north area and then walked back along the beach. Went to a cool little place for dinner - good Chicago feel - plus was nice and cheap too.

5th Nov 2007…

Decided to go and check out the Planetarium and Aquarium today as both were free admission today. Both were good, but the whole space subject freaks me out - its so surreal.

Headed back to the hostel, they were doing an organized night out to bars around Division. Met back up with Catherine and we both decided to do it. About 15 of us from the hostel went and we went to some cool little places. Met Bret - CA, Bob - IL, Nick - IL, Emily - IL, Like - CA,. Loved it in the second bar - there were plating pool so seriously so I had to show them how us English boys play - kicked their ass!

6TH Nov 2007…

Met back up with Catherine and decided to check out Michigan Av. - Shops etc. We were in the Apple store for over an hour and a half - I really want an iPhone. Went to Gordinos - Famous Chicago stuffed pizza - had to check it out - was more like a pie than a pizza. Was ok but wasn't a nice as NYC style. Saw the water Tower, and then onto the Contemporary Art Museum/exhibition. I don't think I would have normally have gone to this if I was on my own but I'm glad I did. You have to be in a certain mind frame to appreciate it but it was good.

7th Nov 2007…

Catherine left this morning to catch her flight to San Diego. I decided to go and check out the Science and Industry Museum. Biggest museum in the western hemisphere - really enjoyed it. They had a mini landscape set up of the city to seattle with trains/subways set up etc - yeah geek I know but would you have enjoyed it too. Had a section on space which I though was actually better than the planteruim. Loads of hands on stuff, so think Rowan would have really enjoyed it - maybe a couple of years down the line. The rest of the evening was spent trying to work out the rest of my time in the US taking into consideration bus times, places, meeting up with Bert, my bus pass validity etc….nightmare. Leaving for Memphis tonight - should take 11 hours.