I'm in the Land of the Free!

[punkypink (imported)]

Lol. Well I'm in Chicago right now, it's -6C, but I like it cold.

What I didn't know, and wasn't told till AFTER I had gotten there, was that Chicago is the "Windy City". Damned right it is. The wind cuts like a thousand katanas!

US Borders and Customs was one thing I dreaded heavily, but I got through it with a minimal of fuss. I didnt even need to go through the x-ray body scanner thing. The only hassle is constantly having to take my shoes off and put them on. Not easy when you're wearing ankle high top lace shoes.

Chicago's been real nice so far. I love how u guys have so many brands of rootbeer and so cheap too. One thing the UK can really improve on.

Also it's been fun to interact with people who're somewhat surprised when I turn out to have a vaguely british accent rather than one befitting my oriental appearances.

I'm off to the Navy Pier today. =)

<- P.S. took that pic on the CTA bus on xmas morning.

[micropenis (imported)]

Welcome to America!

I will enjoy reading your views on Americans in thier home country. I hope that we leave you with a favorable impression. I pray you have a safe and enjoyable stay.

Just think, Chicago's worst weather doesn't come until February.

[Losethem (imported)]

The x-ray comes when you leave and go through security at the airport.

Personally I'll opt for the pat downs. At least I might get a cheap thrill out of that.

--LT

[JesusA (imported)]

I like your new avatar: punkypink with pussycat ears. Somehow it seems perfect for you.

If you make it west on your voyage of discovery in the New World, I'd certainly enjoy giving you a guided tour of San Francisco.

[Riverwind (imported)]

One year I had a contract job in Chicago land, for those of you who have never herd that expression its what they call the burbs. Anyway I was home in Bay Area for Christmas and returned on January 3rd, it was 70f in San Jose when I left, it was -40 wind chill in Chicago, -40 is the same c or f. I had not had a smoke for 7 hours and I was going out for that well needed cig. I had the cig out, lighter out, gloves on, hat with ear flaps on and down, walked out the door, (now for someone like me who always lived on the coast wind chill really had no meaning until) I , I , I , stopped turned went back inside, cig in one hand lighter in the other, nose frozen, it was 2 more hours before I got that smoke and well worth the wait.

Welcome to the new world, hope you have a great time.

River

[punkypink (imported)]

The x-ray comes when you leave and go through security at the airport.

Personally I'll opt for the pat downs. At least I might get a cheap thrill out of that.

--LT

Weirdly, they had some lanes with the x-rays and some without. Because I landed in Atlanta and caught a connecting flight to Chicago, I had to go thru security after deplaning at Atlanta. I was in a line with the machine, but they had a long queue and opened a 2nd lane up. I shifted to it because I was in a hurry to catch my connection. Was only after I'd gone thru that I realise there wasn't an X-ray machine in the lane they opened up.

[punkypink (imported)]

Anyhows Chicago's good so far. It's quite fun. Last time I was in the states was pre-9/11. People are still friendly on the streets and well, the largest hazard for me is to try to figure out where I should be looking out for traffic to come from when I'm crossing the streets. That, and well, the whole having people cross while cars turn at the same time thing scares me some.

Huge cars huge trucks and wide streets of course. Vast contrast to London. Here the blocks are regular, the streets are a nice latticed network, it's real easy to find your way around. London, ho ho ho. It's like a magic maze without the funhouse mirrors.

I was told crime is bad here but I'm staying near enough to the Navy Pier so I've encountered nothing at all to give me cause for worry. One sentence that keeps getting said to me is "I love your hat". I brought 2 hats for this trip, I'll put a pic of the other one up.

Oh... I realise that when you're buying stuff, the price tag price excludes sales tax. Can sometimes be a slight surprise when you think you're buying $75 worth of stuff and then it comes to $87.

Next stop this friday, is Texas. Lol I'll fill y'all in on that.

[punkypink (imported)]

Hat number 2:

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos- ... 47_6116001 69_n.jpg

[Slammr (imported)]

...

Next stop this friday, is Texas. Lol I'll fill y'all in on that.

Where in Texas? I'm originally from Texas. Although I don't live there now, most of my family does, and I regularly go back, even though I always undergo a little culture shock, because Texas is almost like a foreign country when coming from Oregon, where I live now.

[Caith721 (imported)]

Hat number 2:

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos- ... 47_6116001 69_n.jpg

Cute hat, girl!!