My first day..

Well, what a day Ive had.
My body's not got used to the time change, so I was awake at 5.30 this morning. I couldnt get back to sleep so I just had a shower and listened to some music. About 7am I had to start making my way out to do some shopping. I got the "El" downtown which is about 40 minutes away, and then walked to Union Station. I was astounded by how beautiful a building this is. I only managed to get one picture today, but when I go sight seeing on Monday and Tuesday I hope to get a few of the Great Hall. There was some kind of incident next to the station and the road was closed. As I went into the station there a helicopter landing so it looked like an accident.
I just managed to catch the Metra train to Aurora. Trains over here are like nothing Ive seen before. They're big, silver and have stairs inside. I took a photo (below), which may explain better than I can. Im on the top floor and underneath that ladder thing is the ground floor. Its a bit like a double decker bus but without a floor between!! The ticket inspector then just walks along the bottom and you dangle your ticket over the side. One cool thing is that once hes checked your ticket he puts a little card on a clip next to your seat to say that you have a valid ticket in case another inspector gets on. Oh and the best part is that the seats are reversable so you dont have to face the opposite way to which you are travelling.
I was only at the outlet mall for about an hour. I knew what I wanted and it was quiet so I zipped round. That left me plenty of time to come back to Chicago and get the bus to the shopping mall for my trainers. I now have everything I wanted to buy while I was here. Just my sight seeing to do and I have all of Monday and Tuesday to do this. Anyway, Im going to "dress for dinner", so Ill update you at my next point of interest.

Matt

One last thing

before I go to bed.
You know how you always forget one thing?? My watch. Oh dear. Suppose Ill have to buy a cheapy. Wonder if there are any Shell stations nearby I can get one for 99p hehe?!
Also, I noticed a rather curious thing as I left tonight to go for a drink. As a HHonors member ( Hilton hotels loyalty programme, as I pronounce it H-Honours) I get points by staying in hotels owned by the said group as well as accumulating points for AAdvantage (American Airlines loyalty thing) (what is it with Yanks and double letters at the start of words). Anyway, turns out Im on the H-Honors VIP floor. Check me out!!
Dont know what it means but its always nice to brag!!
Anyways, had a nice dinner and a couple of beers and now its past my bedtime

Matt

Im here at long last!!

The wait is over. Finally, the Corke has come back to CHICAGO!!!
After what was an eventful flight more akin to a creche than a plane involving about ten kids playing in front of my seat, I finally got here. I just put my IPod on and tried to have a nap. The real fun started at US immigration. I queued for an hour to enter the USA, mainly because about four flights all came at the same time, and it so happened that we were behind a plane load of Mexicans. No disrespect at all, but it is well renowned that US immigration have issues with a number of illegal workers from "South of the Border", hence their somewhat stricter stance!
Once called, I sailed through in about 2 minutes, only to find that because I had waited FOREVER to come into the country that my bag was nowhere to be seen, and the baggage carousel reserved for us was now carrying luggage from Munich. After failing to get any sense from the baggage supervisors, I eventually found a rather pleasant eastern European chap who pointed me in the right direction. I was relieved to find that I wasn't the only person with this problem. I found my bag and left the airport. I called the hotel and they sent their shuttle bus to collect me. Excellent service!!
Needless to say the delays have meant that I have been unable to go shopping for my new trainers. Its now 5pm local time and with a half hour bus journey each way I didn't really fancy it. I'm hoping that there's a place at the outlet mall that sells Vans (the trainers, not the mode of transport!)
Anyways, I'm gonna get myself settled and have a look through whats in the local vicinity.
Speak to you all soon

Matt

Oh My God...

I cant believe it!!!
Im about to go to bed ready for my get up and go in the morning! Im all packed (after working from my to-do list) and if ive missed anything its too late now.
My flight is at 11.40am tomorrow, so Im leaving here at about 5.45 tomorrow morning. As Chicago is 5 hours behind our time by the time I get to bed tomorrow Ill have been up for about 24 hours. Oh well, can't complain I suppose!!
Im hoping to update this on my arrival in Chi (pronounced shy) - town. As soon as I find some good photo opportunities Ill try to get some of those on here as well :)
Take care every one of you and I will speak soon

Matt

Ladies & Gentlemen....

Seeing as we are now less than a month away from my departure, I would like to share the details of my itinerary......
30th March 2007 - Fly to Chicago
4th April 2007 - Fly to New Zealand
21st April 2007 - Fly to Sydney
23rd April 2007 - Harbour Bridgeclimb
25th April 2007 - Fly to Ayers Rock - Best of Uluru inc. Sounds Of Silence Dinner
27th April 2007 - Fly to Melbourne
29th April 2007 - Clouds & Cabernet Balloon ride
30th April 2007 - Clouds and Cabernet Winery Tour
3rd May 2007 - Fly to Tokyo
7th May 2007 - Mt. Fuji tour
9th May 2007 - Fly Home

As you can appreciate I have a lot of things to see and not a vast amount of time to see it. Obviously I have done my homework on my destinations, and have rough ideas about what exactly I want to see, but nevertheless would appreciate any suggestions anyone has. If you havent been to any of the destinations then please pass this address onto others. They say that there only six degrees of seperation between all of us, so I might just drop lucky.
I will keep this site updated as much as is practical, and welcome any feedback you have. I also plan to keep you informed of my preparations for this trip.
Godspeed and I hope to hear from you all soon

Matt