Well the hostel that I booked for Friday and Saturday night was not a success! I made my way there on Friday morning using the three day pass I'd bought: it was a forty minute ride on the train to Granville! I found the hostel quite easily, but really wish I hadn't! The little man at reception couldn't find my reservation, then wanted to see my email to confirm it, I declined, he tried to charge me full price rather than with the deposit deducted, and then my credit card was declined! Once I'd convinced him I was staying there somehow he asked the helper to show me to the dorm, well the room with eight beds in it but no locks, lockers, or keys! The sheets were threadbare and covered in hair, and the curtains didn't open. When they explained that I had to be out every day between 11 and 2, and that they had to let me into the room each time, I pretty much gave up. He left me in the room and I just cried!

After realising it was only for two nights and at least it's the first bad hostel I've stayed in I rang my credit card company to ask why they'd frozen my account in America but not in Africa, Australia or New Zealand! They assured me they were watching out for any suspicious activity, but I'm not sure why a coffee at LAX is more suspicious than Malachite in Tanzania! After a ten minute, and ten pound, phone call my card was unlocked.

After padlocking my bags and taking my passport with me, I closed the door and hoped everything was there when I got back, before heading out for as long as possible to simply avoid going back!

I went to Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, the Biograph Theater where John Dillinger was shot by the FBI after being betrayed by his girlfriend's housemate, before heading back into town for a fair few cups of Starbucks and Caribou Coffees! I managed to stay out until eight so it wasn't too long to stay in the hostel fortunately.

Four other girls had checked in on the Friday too as a result of the HI not having space, as well as two girls in town for a homeless conference, one from Alabama University and one from New Jersey. Chatting to them made up a little for the lack of any other good points in the hostel!

Making use of my pass again yesterday I went to Lincoln Park, Lincoln Park Zoo, and the conservatory. The park was okay, but nothing to shout about. It was nice to see the autumn colours and hear the leaves rustling, but really it felt like a summer day as runners sped past me and my three layers suddenly felt like far too much material! The sun was shining so brightly that it was hard to believe we were in the beginning of November. I went up to the free zoo, but was swamped by families full of children and prams as they pushed into me and tutted when I walked past after saying excuse me! I went to the Africa exhibit first, but was surprised at how uneasy I felt watching the lioness on her rock pacing and growling in a way that I'd not heard any time in Africa. I'm not preaching by any means, but I didn't like to see them from that perspective and so didn't spend too long there. The conservatory wasn't too bad; it had a few interesting plants, but nothing like the Kirstenbosch in Cape Town. I'm turning into a travel bore aren't I?

Next up was a wander around the Old Town part of Lincoln after having my worst Chai tea yet! I've become slightly addicted to Chai tea, but when I went to Starbucks they didn't put any milk in so I burnt my mouth and it tasted foul! I gave up half-way through in favour of no more burns and looking around a bead shop! I ended up buying a necklace for $22, not good! I liked it though, and as I told myself I may not go there again! More searching around the shops and window-shopping, before heading back on the train to the lovely hostel for my last night.

Another new girl arrived late last night: she wouldn't even sleep under the covers, at least I'm not that bad.