My first few days in Chicago have been much more interesting than the entire time spent in LA! Managed to get myself addicted to Chai tea lattes at both Starbucks and Panera Bread: Starbucks are the best I must say... although haven't tried one at Caribou so maybe that's something for tomorrow's to do list! I'm pretty sure all the different syrups in the many lattes and mochas I've been having too many of are affecting my skin though: not a pretty sight!

The dorm is nice and clean, or so I thought until a Canadian from Quebec who I met in the appalling hostel told me she saw housekeeping put on the same sheets after somebody had checked out. Gross. It's a bed though, and I have a locker, so I do not begrudge a thing! I also get a free breakfast, so now that I've spent too much of my budget on said lattes and soup bowls I am making the most of the free orange juice, toast, and soggy cereal! We've got to wash our crockery and utensils, which is fine, except when I see some of the other hostel guests' version of washing! Again, gross.

Speaking of gross, I finally discovered free Internet access at the library across the road, after spending over $20 on it in the hostel, but it turns out so has every homeless person in downtown Chicago! As I write their pungent odours are amalgamating in my nostrils, and I've got so stress I DO NOT LIKE IT! I wish I had Vaseline up my nose.

I was lucky enough to be given a quick tour of the Loop area by Catlin's brother Clint on my second day so I got my bearings of the place quite quickly! We went to the heavily recommended (by Catlin!) Caribou Coffee for coffee, which Clint quickly found out had a 'warning this beverage is hot' sign on it for a reason as he tipped it over his hand! I shouldn't comment though, as I later spilt my too, only I no longer had a napkin since mine had been donated to Clint's cause!

After finding out where most places were I set off to the Sears (now also known as Willis!) Tower on Thursday as the sun had come out in full force and I wanted to get the best possible views. I wasn't disappointed! My ears popped just as the announcer said they would as we went up to the 103rd floor, and I stepped out to views stretching far across the city and beyond. Sears Tower put skyscrapers back in favour with me! I took far too many pictures from every possible angle, but hey it just means more snaps for the Smiths to look through upon my return: you've got 3800 so far!

More time was spent over the next few days in Starbucks, Panera Bread, and Caribou Coffee, as well as a few shops that I really shouldn't have gone into as they ended up taking my card a few too many times! I did a whistle-stop tour of the main buildings such as the Trump, Wrigley, and Tribune Tower as I wandered around town, but it was when I got my three day pass for the CTA that I was really able to explore. Well to the point of taking some cool pictures, not to Scott's level!