James departed Wellington at 6 am on 28 July and flew to Chicago via Brisbane and Los Angeles, so it was a long trip. Arrived in Chicago at 4:30 pm on the same day(!), after 26 hours on the move.
Just woke up after a solid sleep at 6 am... How often does that happen! Anyway the hostel seems perfectly nice so far. Bit noisy but that comes with being in the center of the city. Right next to the train which is both a plus and a minus I suppose - boy are the trains loud here!
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| First hostel (thanks, Google Streetview) |
Flights were pretty awful but then when aren't they when they're that long. Didn't get much sleep last night but have made up for it somewhat I feel. Wasn't too harassed by the TSA - immigration was a bit more rude though! Still everything went through fine. Didn't have to take off my shoes or anything from the flight from LA to Chicago - just put everything in my carry-on and went through. Did get tested for explosives though!
Chicago so far feels very big and quite confusing! Managed to find my hostel okay though. Not entirely sure what I'll do today - was thinking perhaps the aquarium or just general exploring.
He stayed first at the Hi Chicago Hostel right in the heart of the city. He had to move out on Friday night because it was booked out for music festival across the road featuring Paul McCartney, among others.
Spent yesterday wandering around the local parks a bit. Very hot weather! Also had a visit to the local aquarium; one of the biggest in the world! That was fascinating, though extremely crowded.
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| Chicago Aquarium |
I've also figured out why the room was so expensive over the weekend- there's a massive music festival going on just across the street starting tomorrow. Paul McCartney is headlining so that explains the demand! Pity it's all sold out or I might have had a watch.
Today's plan is to see the local museum, the Field Museum. It's where Sue the T-Rex lives permanently, so I'm expecting some good fossils and rocks at the very least!
Otherwise having a fairly relaxed time. Mostly over the jetlag though I do wake up in the morning around 6-ish which is before everything has opened...
James moved to the "Urban Loft Hostel" ten minutes out by train.
Successfully moved hostel. This one's very noisy and my room mates snore but I did manage to get some sleep. Went to the field museum a couple of days ago, was fascinating, some great exhibits on geology. Thinking I might go to the art museum today, my room mate recommended it.
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| Second hostel, in the suburbs |
He visited the major sights of the city including "Chicago 360", which is a visit to the top of the tallest building, the John Hancock Center.
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| "Chicago 360" (John Hancock Center) |
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| Looking north along the beaches. |
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| Looking down! |
Had a relaxing day here in Chicago. Figured since it is a Sunday it might be a bit busy in town and I felt I earned a rest day so I just wandered the neighbourhood a bit. 30 degrees with a strong wind though, so it did feel a bit like I was being fan baked!
Yesterday I went to the Chicago Art Institute. There were some very famous paintings there; some by Van Gough, Monet, Picasso and the very famous "American Gothic" and "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of la Grande Jatte". There were also some ancient Greek sculptures and pottery - the latter of which certainly took me back to high school classics!
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| American Gothic |
Looking forward to the zoo tomorrow and perhaps a couple more museums over the next few days. With the local music festival finishing today it should be a bit less crowded in the centre city which will be nice.
August 6th
Final full day in Chicago now. Perhaps a day too long! I've fairly well exhausted all the main things to do in Chicago. Went to the zoo yesterday, while not a particularly amazing zoo, what was impressive is that it was completely free. Crowded too unfortunately as a result, but everywhere I've been has been so I'm getting used to it.
I've booked the Greyhound from Pittsburgh to State College now, though I must admit I'm a little worried given the reviews! Oh well, it's only 4 and a bit hours so that might make it less painful.
James travelled by overnight Amtrack train on 6th August to Pittsburgh (9.5 hours), where he transferred to the famous Greyhound Bus Company for the last leg to State College Pennsylvania.
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| Amtrak train 30 (black line) and Greyhound bus to State College |
At Penn state! Phew,made it!
