Little sleep and much excitement

It's 8.30 am Toronto time and I'm sitting at gate 141 of Pearson's Terminal 1 awaiting boarding of flight 255 to Winnipeg. Really this is the first time I've had a chance to do any writing since my little adventure in Paw Paw's first snow storm of the year.

This trip so far has been just amazing. I can't believe how wonderfully it has been. Largely due to my short 24 hours in Chicago. After that all night drive I pulled into downtown, found parking and went to the first cafe with wi fi I could find. I proceeded to down a much needed latte and muffin in an attempt to regain some energy. Mild success, but I was still bagged. Never have I ever had such blood shot eyes. Unfortunately I didn't take a good picture, but later today I'll try to post the best thing I had.

In downtown I parked below the millenium park plaza, which is a green space towards the lake which is dotted with the most beautiful sculptures. This is because it's part the Chicago art Institute. I'll post some pics of this as well. Later I walked around the city, which included a short stop into my church.......er.....I mean...... the Chicago Apple Store ;-) .

I suppose it's not actually so interested how tiring a few hours of walking can be on no sleep in over 24 hours. Just into the early afternoon I found a Whole Foods in what was no doubt a wickedly expensive neighbourhood on the edge of downtown just north of the canal. Damn did I need some good food in me and Whole Foods is great for that though you do pay for it. While enjoying my lovely organic salad, I whipped out the macbook to see if I could pick up a network in what was obviously a very connected area. Well half of that was true. I couldn't get an unprotected network even though there were more networks my computer was picking up than I'd ever seen before. Probably 80 or so. Wow.

After lunch I went back to the car to see the city by road. My route took me up Shoreline into the Lake View area where I spent the next couple of hours. It's such a nice area. Perhaps a cross between South Granville and Main Street, but times 20 in size. Along the way I tried to grab some sleep in the little Hyundia. I was only able to get a half hour, before I woke up.

Shortly after I hooked up with my friend at her work. We went to her place with is just north of Lake View, about 5 miles out of downtown. The rest of the day was spent there making dinner and getting acquainted. Though I had a suspicion we'd hit it off, I had no idea it would be as it was.