Chicago - Day 3

Today is checking out day, so I crawled out of my comfortable king sized bed in time to get some breakfast first.
Having got showered and dressed I then packed virtually everything ready to go and then went to eat.

On my return I listened to “That Mitchell & Webb Sound” in its entirety whilst I finished my packing. All packed and ready to go I headed for reception in order to check out.

The hotel offers a free shuttle service to the local station so I took that option and hopped into the people carrier they operate for such things. The guy taking me to the station gave me all sorts of recommendations on places to go, see and eat – he had also given me a couple of maps and leaflets on Chicago and the downtown area, one of which contained a very good little street map.

As it was Sunday the trains run every two hours and I had about fifty minutes to wait, but no matter I settled down to listen to a bit of Led Zeppelin and view the surrounding pleasant suburbia. It was very tranquil and all the houses and buildings were neat and well tended.
With about half an hour to go a couple were dropped off and made their way to the platform where I was waiting – one has to cross the rails on a wooden pedestrian rail crossing. The guy came up to me and asked if I knew where he could buy some cigarettes – a Brit! I said “no, not that I’ve seen, but you are welcome to roll one if you want.” We got chatting and it transpired that they were travelling west, having been south and east, while I was travelling east. The guy (I didn’t get their names) said he hated New York (you either love it or hate it I’m told) because he said it was far too busy. He said they have wide sidewalks which are just full of moving people – all the time!

The train arrived on time and was one of the double-decker things I have seen before. I got settled in a seat with my luggage beside me and watched the passing scenery. The fare cost me $3.90 and the train deposited me at Union Station. By this time I had consulted the map and knew the route I should take from the station to the hostel. I am pleased to report my navigation was spot on and I found the hostel without a hitch.

The next surprise was the hostel itself. It had been voted “Best large hostel in the world” in 2006 and I will be surprised if it isn’t again in 2007. The place is big, with plenty of space to relax or move about in. I stayed in a ten bed dorm for my first two nights and there was enough room to hold a party in it! Needless to say I extended my stay, not just because the hostel was so good, because there is a load to see and do in Chicago. The hostel is also right near Jackson station (red & blue lines) and just round the corner one has access to virtually all the other lines at the station in Wabash Street. Everything downtown-wise is within easy walking distance. I was really pleased.

As I was early for check-in I finished writing my postcards! I will post them tomorrow – I felt so pleased with myself.

Having got checked in I dropped all my stuff off in the dorm and was pleasantly surprised with that too. It was a ten bed dorm and it was huge! There was enough room to hold a small party in there, it was great. I met a couple of my roommates, two guys from Germany who were over here to work at a course in Detroit and were having a long weekend in Chicago. I also met Adam, the guy who has the bottom bunk, and he is from Philadelphia. Having chatted to these guys for a while we all went our separate ways.

I went for my usual orientation walk around the area and I have to say on first impressions that Chicago has a good vibe to it. I had a stroll down to Michigan Avenue and had a look at Chicago by night – it was very impressive. I then found a lovely little diner and had something to eat. By this time I was rather tired and decided to get an early night – so I did.