All the flights I’d taken in the US had been on schedule. The one from Chicago to Boston was no exception. To get to the HI Hostel from the airport I took a free bus. This took a strange route, through concrete tunnels. No other vehicles used the tunnel. I assumed that it had been … Continue reading / view photos Boston – The Freedom Trail
Running along Lake Michigan
My final day in Chicago started like so many of my days that week: with a run along Lake Michigan. The Lake is so big that you feel you’re running beside the ocean. I joined other runners, as well as early morning walkers and cyclists. The temperature regularly was over 30c that week. Therefore, you … Continue reading / view photos Running along Lake Michigan
Walking around Chicago
Chicago is easy to get around. A lot of it is walkable and safe. If you don’t feel like walking, there is the subway (underground/tube) and plenty of buses. Like London, you can use contactless cards/phones/watches to pay for your fare. The Chicago Cultural Center is a building that has art galleries and free events. … Continue reading / view photos Walking around Chicago
The Loop
Although Michelle Obama mentions The Loop many times in her autobiography, I must have missed the explanation of what it was. I was curious to see it. The Loop, it turns out, is Chicago’s central business district in the downtown area of the city. The name probably comes from the elevated railway line that encircles … Continue reading / view photos The Loop
The Obamas can’t see you right now
It was, apparently, possible to glimpse the Obamas’ house through the surrounding trees. With hope, I headed west to Hyde Park on a double decker train. Chicago’s public transport is the best I experienced in the US. The municipal train (different from the excellent subway) had a conductor. I noticed that the train didn’t stop … Continue reading / view photos The Obamas can’t see you right now
Much More Veg
If you’ve seen me lately, I’ve almost certainly bored you to death about a book that has revolutionised my life! Much More Veg by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is that book. It’s by far the best cookbook I’ve had. I have many cookbooks but most of them are unsatisfactory in some way. The recipes are too complicated; … Continue reading Much More Veg
City of architecture
Chicago may be my favourite city of those I visited in America. Not only does the architecture have a rich history but also I felt it’s a city designed for people. For example, the riverside is protected so that no private builders can block the path. I saw many people walking along the river and, … Continue reading / view photos City of architecture
People’s Vote march (again)
It’s one year since I went on the previous People’s Vote march. Like last year, it was a civilised day. It demonstrated the best of British across generations: open, inclusive, eccentric, good-natured, humorous, and general friendliness. After the march, we decided to walk across the river for tea and snacks at the Royal Festival Hall. … Continue reading / view photos People’s Vote march (again)
Chicago Art Institute
The Art Institute of Chicago is the second largest art museum in the US, after the humongous Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan. The Art Institute has everything from African art to Textiles. You could spend days there. I spent so long in the many galleries that, with about 90 minutes to closing time, I … Continue reading / view photos Chicago Art Institute
Pilsen
My second walking tour with the hostel was to see the street art in Pilsen. It was a trial run for our volunteer guide. She had never taken a group before but she wanted to share with others the art in the area. On the tour, a couple told me that they had gone to … Continue reading / view photos Pilsen