Home to the Blues Brothers, the Untouchables and Microsoft Flight Simulator.

My journey here from San Francisco took most of the day (actually, 12 hours in total, from door to door), involved 2 delayed flights on United, and a plane change in Denver, where I engaged in what can only be described as foolish behaviour.

As with most large airports, Denver has moving walkways in the terminal to aid passenger movement. I stood on one, with my hand raised for a high five to people coming the opposite way. Complete with requisite stupid grin, and a Borat-esque "High Five!" voice. A few people responded well...until securtity told me to knock it off. Ahhh...the fun police!

Anyhow, arrived safely at O'Hare, and my bags were going around and around on the carousel all by themselves. I suspect they made an earlier flight than I did. Took the El Train to what can only be described as a bohemouth of a HI Hostel. Easily the biggest i've ever been in (though they say New York's is bigger). Crashed out quickly in my clean, though a bit sterile room.

Arising the next morning in time for breakfast (bad coffee, cereal and room temperature milk), I headed out in to the yonder of Chicago. Step one was the walking tour of Chicago, as laid out in my handy guidebook. Mock me if you will, but I like to have a purpose in my wanderings. Kinda prevents you from getting lost too.

Took in the bizarre structures that adorn Millenium Park- the bean, the outdoor concert stage, and the peculiar fountain and video screen combination. Totally mystifying. Nevertheless, the sight of park security guards buzzing around on those Segway scooters was very amusing.

Following this, I wandered my way up Michigan avenue to the Chicago river, whereupon I decided a cruise was the order of the day. Headed to the cruise office (I had a voucher with a hefty discount from the hostel), and chose the 2pm tour so I could eat lunch, and also avoid the large contingent of proletysing Christians who were getting on the 1pm tour boat. Later, I found my tour was loaded with people in town for the...Harp Players of America convention.

The river cruise itself was hampered by the fact I was sitting on the lower deck out of the sun, and the on-board guide was sitting on the top deck. Instead of the usual "on the left, on the right", it was "over there...over there", with what I imagined were hand gestures. Nonetheless, I did enjoy the tour somewhat, and many of my photos came out very well.

Following the cruise, I wandered further up Michigan Avenue, as indicated in the guidebook, to the water tower where the great Chicago fire is said to have been started by Mrs O'Leary's cow kicking over a latern. I think that story is just an excuse to beat up on the Irish.

A phone call from my former student Jay had me heading out on the train to Fullerton and De Paul University. I met up with him, and we reminisced about stupidity in Australia for a good while, over several very cheap beers and some tasty Buffalo Chicken sandwiches. Other students joined us in due course, and we capped off the night drinking from massive beer cans in some Irish-esque bar. A shout out to Jay, Sam, Christina and Jessica!

The next morning's hangover wasn't too bad, and I relaxed by...doing my washing. Even the most intrepid have to occasionally wash their jeans. I followed this excitement with a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry, where I saw a very good display on a German U-Boat and assorted WWII Naval exhibits; a trite Imax film on the Bayou post Hurricane Katrina; and finally the aerospace display, complete with an actual Boeing 727. Whilst fun on a certain level, I couldnt help but feeling that I was a bit old for it all. Had I been a 14 year old boy, im sure I would've loved it. But as a 26 year old with a couple of uni degrees...it was all a bit meh.

Leaving the museum, I headed on to Navy Pier, which had been developed in to a kitschy tourist ghetto, though not without it's charms. A multitude of typical eateries and souvenir stalls were in evidence, but the view back across to Chicago's downtown skyline was good.

I retired to the hostel for some quiet time (the hangover kicked in at the museum), before returning to the mean streets and heading up to the Hancock Building for the observation deck by night. I chose Hancock over Sears as it was said the night view is better, and I read that Hancock had an open air deck. Perfect for my tripod and some night photography...had the open air deck not been covered in mesh. I managed a shot hrough the mesh, and a number of others through windows with various degrees of success.

Returning to the hostel, I took some more shots of the Wrigley buildings and the Tribune tower, before walking allll the way back (I was looking for somewhere to eat; aint nothing open downtown after dark it seems) to the hostel, via a Subway and a 7-11.

The next morning, I headed out early on the Orange line to Midway, to get my AirTran flight to Boston. An enjoyable time in Chicago, and overall, I found the place to have an eerily reminiscent feel of Melbourne.