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Welcome back.
So, picking up where I left orrf, on the way to Chicago, travelling on the overnight Amtrak train from Washington DC. The carriages are big double decker things, kind of like being on a bus in London, except that you're not in London, you're on a train, the seats are well spaced and comfortable, and it's not painted red. Actually it's nothing like being on a double decker bus at all, I'm glad I cleared that up.
We didn't get a sleeper cabin this time, because they're really expensive and the reclining seats we're sitting on seem perfectly adequate, and besides it's only one night aye, shouldn't be a problem...
Now there's this thing that we seem to have noticed since arriving in the States, and it's the loud talking mobile person. Here's how it works: First you need a smallish public space, next, fill the space with people, and lastly, have one woman speaking to her girlfriend loudly on her phone as if they were gossiping at a bar with loud music in the background. It's been happening a lot, but it seems that the only people who get annoyed with it are Lindo and me. Everyone
Ben's house
and a couple of records... else must be used to it.
There is a reason I'm raising this point, and that's because at about 11pm, after the carriage lights have been dimmed, there's been an announcement by the conductor to please not use mobiles, and the passengers are bedded down as best they can (in seats rather than beds), a woman just in front of us decides the time is right to start a loud conversation with her sistah about what appears to be the most pointless nonsense, but at the same time, by the volume and the passion in her voice, must be the most important issues in the world. Phrases such as "oh no he di-int!" and "oh girrl, yes you di-id!" and a lot of "u-huh, u-huh" are flowing freely. At one point the train rudely takes a path out of the good reception area and interrupts her. Oh well, maybe now we can get to sleep after all. Yeah nah, as soon as we get back in range she starts up again. We try to give subtle hints to express our displeasure, but none are heeded. I think the only reason she stops in the end is because the reception finally
gives out for good. We must be somewhere deep in the heart of America at this stage, probably in the middle of a massive corn belt or something...
At some point we do manage to get some sleep, but it's funny how what once seemed like a comfy reclining chair with plenty of legroom eventually turns into an utterly inadequate nightmare as it becomes apparent that all your body wants is to be horizontal with straight knees! Take heed future traveller, as much as I love rail, If you can't afford a sleeper cabin then maybe consider an alternative mode of transport...
And then the sun rises and everything is alright, because we are pulling in to Chicago, the journey is over.
In Chicago, we have accommodation with a total stranger. An avid record collecting lawyer called Ben, he lives in an area that is not only blessed with some really good food places, but has a massive western wear store as well, full of everything you need to become an instant cowboy. We arrive at Ben's house at about 10 in the morning, and after listening to some choice cuts from his extensive stash of vinyl, getting
some lunch and a real espresso (
not starbucks), we head off for a bit of a walk around his area, not really sure what we are looking for, but maybe a computer store would be good, because then we could get a mini laptop, which would make updating this blog a little easier, among other things. Instead we find a western shop selling Levis for $29.99. That's it, the boys don't make it out the door for another 4 hours, and I almost feel we should have tipped the store attendant for the amount of cleaning up and refolding she would have been faced with. Well, to be fair, it's mostly Lindo. Indecision is his first name! We emerge encumbered with boots, pants, shirts and a belt. I was tempted by the hats, but sometimes you just have to say no.
As for rest of our time in Chicago, we took things relatively easy. We avoided the ugly but popular Sears Tower on the advice of a couple of locals, whom we dined with on the train, instead directing our attention toward the far more interesting John Hancock Tower. We walked around the Millennium Park and bumped into more
I took this one myself.
That's lake Michigan too, by the way... Frank Geary designed architecture, tying in nicely with our time at the Guggenheim in Bilbao. You feel just a touch worldly when you can say to someone "check it out man, it's just like the Guggie we saw back in Spain, Choorse!!"
And we listened to records. The act of putting the needle on the wax can't be beat, so we made the most of it, and it helps when the guy you're staying with has all of everything good as well.
Our next adventure is going to be a 50 hour cross country train journey from Chicago to San Francisco, and this time we have a cunning plan to get ourselves a sleeper cabin.
Olza
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