Update

Having failed in the purchase of a laptop in either New York or Chicago on my way across the country, the blog is going to have to suffer a little more. The train ride was long, uncomfortable at times, but I definitely met... people. Some fantastic people, some interesting people, some strange people. I hope to keep in touch with some if not all of them.

The scenery was equally mixed - the neverending fields of North Dakota and Montana were exactly that. The Mississippi River took on a whole new beautiful shape heading down from St. Paul-Minneapolis; crossing the Rocky Mountains was magical. I might write a few more words about it at a later date when I have more time.

I am currently in Vancouver, BC, which is beautiful. I am staying with a cousin's uncle (from the other side of the their family), who is an extremely generous host who lives on the foot of the smaller mountains on the north side of Vancouver.

Unfortunately neither of my phones (Australian or American) work in Canada, so I am slightly more cut off from the rest of the world than usual, which isn't an entirely terrible thing. It'd be easy to go wandering for days on end in the woods up here. Very pretty, very tranquil.

I probably won't be spending terribly much time on the internet either, not until I get to LA (where I will probably stay up all night trying to catch up on a few blog entries). So feel free to slacken off with checking back until about the 29th May. Hopefully I will be posting more then.

Until then, just don't worry aboot it, eh?

Please don't be too dismayed

Yet another temporary post which will only briefly provide news (but no entertainment).

The next leg of my journey is now due to being: the great trek over to the west coast. Enlisted in my troop to complete such a task is the service of two Amtrak trains - one which will accompany me to Chiacgo, and another which will make the final pitch across the country to Seattle.

From Seattle I will board a bus which will whisk me up to Vancouver, where I am grateful to be met by a very distant relative who has kindly offered to put me up for a night or two.

This sojourn across these United States of America will begin this afternoon at 4pm in New York, and will find its conclusion hopefully in Vancouver by Friday evening, 5pm.

After Vancouver (and after the Memorial Day weekend which prohibits me from finding accommodation), I will visit the coffee-sipping, grunge-rocking town of Seattle for a few days before flying back into LA on May 29.

My flight to Malaysia departs from LAX at 1.40am on June 1.

I will endeavour to write something interesting on this blog between now and then. My sincerest apologies for now that there is nothing new and exciting to read - I will catch up soon.

Thanks for reading.

Memphis, Tennessee

Beale Street greeted us tonight with a police officer drawing his gun at a guy while his partner wrestled the guy to the ground.

Welcome to Tennessee, gents.

News

Quick post in between updates...

Tonight I am about to embark on a road trip with cousin Andrew. I am sure it will be wild. I am also quite sure that internet access is going to be limited.

For those concerned with my safety, our current plan is to go as far as Memphis, Tennessee, and visit places like Nashville, Richmond, Baltimore and Washington (probably in that order).

For those concerned about my reputation...

Be concerned.

I'll try and make an update somewhere along the way, however please don't begin to riot if you don't hear from me in the next 8 or 9 days. There are far better reasons to riot!


Post-script: Happy mother's day

Travel my way...

I stuck my foot in the Mississippi River!!

I was a cowboy for a day!! Actually, I was the horse and my adorable cousin Stephanie was the cowgirl. At least I wasn't the cow.

OK I was the cow too... and even a crab at one stage. Laugh if you like, but I had a great time.





...now you go through St Louis...

Singin', swingin', shrill trumpets ringin'

Chicago highlights:

An evening of swing dancing to a 14-piece band, lorded over by a bouncer with a curly moustache at Al Capone's favourite jazz club - the Green Mill.

Millenium Park, downtown Chicago.

My first home-cooked Indian meal in a month.

Just being in a home.


Chicago lowlights:

Unfortunate souls rattling cups on every corner, begging.

Realising that the full moon wasn't outside in the starry Chicago night - it was actually in my dorm at the hostel, asleep without any sheets covering it.

Chicago? Chicago.

There are many places in the world that can be legitimately described as awesome; unfortunately, I haven't seen all that many. But in my limited experience, Chicago is a place that is genuinely worthy of awe.

Chicago is a city in which you can look in almost any direction and there is something to see. Chicago is the type of city which makes me want to take photography lessons. Chicago is a city which inspires a desire to better understand architecture and design.

Chicago has kept my eyes open very wide without fail whenever I have gone anywhere near the downtown area.

I'll happily admit that there are parts of the town that are downright shabby, but my general impression thus far:

Chicago? Yes please.


...hopefully there will be more to come at a later date :-)

Oh baby don't you wanna go?

Staying in hostels is great fun, I have met some wonderful people and have enjoyed tapping into the wealth of travel knowledge and community spirit that are so readily shared at these places. Despite the fact that a roommate of mine in Chicago slept in the nude (and was apparently too hot for sheets), and that there is a need to always wear thongs in the bathroom, my experience of hostels has been brilliant.

But there is something to be said for the comfort of a home and the love of a family. There is nothing in the world quite like it.

Staying with family (and friends who might as well be family) has been like finding oases in beautiful deserts: whilst there are still some amazing things to be seen wondering around on your own, knowing that there is a friendly place to stop along the way is a luxury that makes any journey far more enjoyable.

So thank you to all who have already endured me, and thank you in advance for all those who have volunteered themselves for the future. I genuinely appreciate the family time much more than you might realise.

Sweet home Chicago.