22nd November, 21:20

I'm learning a lot from this trip, including that it's hard to write on a train. You should never judge people, as although 95% of the time you'll be right, the other 5 will surprise you. Though better advice may be to be wary of your judgements and allow for amends.

Doors between carriages here appear to have buttons at the bottom that you can kick if your hands are full, or have been lost in an unfortunate previous door related incident. Very cunning. The snack bar is pretty cheap, I got a pot of hargan Daz (spelling?) for $2 and then got a huge turkey and cheese sub, bottle of water and a mountain dew for $9.25. And because I put 75 cents in her tip thing she gave me a free small can of "mist", or something of equal chemical content.

Was just wondering what smokers do on massive journeys like this, apparently some stops there are opportunities to smoke. Those crazy addicts. Talking of long journeys, I'm destroying my latest book, The Catcher on the Rye. Much good. I can't remember if I gave you my conclusions of Breakfast at Tiffeny's. But it is this: "meh".

Sort and meh.

22nd November, 18:22

Oh Albany Rensselaer, how you mock me, bringing our train to a halt with no explanation. How tiresome. Seems we're accepting a load of passengers from another train *shakes fist*.

To Do In Chicago?

• Shedd Aquarium
• The Field Museum and Underground Adventure
• Adier Plantaerium
• Museum of Science & Industry
• Hancock Observatory
• The Art Institute of Chicago
• The Chicago Culture Center
• The Sears tower
• Millenium Park/Buckingham Fountain

Ponderment

I'm really worried that I'm not apprieciating this trip of a life time. As in, in X years I'll look back and be like "wow, that was amazing, why didn't I do this or that". I mean, I'm taking the train across the entirety of the United States of America. That's epic! Not many people have done that! or maybe they have and this is all a trick *waves hands mysteriously*.

When I tell people I'm doing this solo, they always also if it's lonely. Surprisingly it hasn't been, although I can, and have, identified things that would be better with someone, I haven't actually been lonely. I don't know if that's because I'm always doing something, there's lots of people in NYC or I'm just comfortable with my thoughts.

There's no cats in New York.

22nd November, 16:06

Currently on the train, it appears to be running on silent. I can only presume to avoid bandits, or some other form of crazed outcasts or misfits. My seat is so large I could store a zoo under it. Extremely spacious and very few people on here. Probably as a 19 hour train train, to chicago, over thanksgivings night is only for people with no friends, family or cyborg pets. Turns out there is a power outlet as well, tho it may not work and I only have my n810 charger. And as there is no wifi I'm not sure how useful it will be.

There's a jolly nice Indian guy from chicago on the other side of the isle, who has crazy fantasies of the lounge carriage being entirely glass. I am suspicious. We're currently following the bank of a river, which in turn is following the railway track. There is a large amount of autumnal magic all around.

Although New York was amazing, I'm happy to be moving on now. I retract my earlier statement that I could live there, I love it, but it's just not England.

Even if we can't play football.

Hit it Norah.

22nd November, 15:30

I rolled back to the hostel where I walked in and grabbed my stuff from the apparently "locked" luggage room. I then proceeded to Grand Centrla station, got horrible confused, realised I was going from Penn Station, caught subway back to there, checked in my bag, had some crazy pizza and got a few supplies for the journey.

Then I basically did what anyone does at a station.

Wait -> Train.

22nd November, 13:00

I majorly overslept today as I keep waking up at odd hours. I also hope the spanish people don't realise it is me who manages to stink an entire room out while I sleep. Though to confuse matters the guy told me it was 10.30, when it was acutally 9.30, possible Lost In Translation moment, without the sad romance. Soon got ready and check out, and dumped my main bag in the luggage room. I then watched part of the Macy's Thanksgiving parade on the tele in the jazz cafe.

After careful ponderment I decided it was unlikely I could get in a decent spot in the crowd to see anyway. Instead I took the subway to 72nd, and chilled in south central park, which had a strange clam bustle about it. Sitting by "The Mall", there was a saxamaphonist saxamaphoning away. Very nice. I also utilised the free park wifi again, and Shing could hear me for free!

If you want to communicate with me, via sound, for free, make sure to have a pc microphone and Google Talk. Some form of skype phone may also work.

I exited the park via Strawberry Fields, which was very pretty.