Chicago Day 2 - Happy to be alive in the morning, I went for another run, to explore pleasantville only to find out that being attacked by monstrous mosquitoes that left welt size itchy bits was not that desirable although my legs did enjoy the freedom after being cramped up on the plane.
Day 2 in Chicago was filled with adventure and many laughs as Alun, Gary and I headed downtown, to explore the sights of the city in our pimp mobile (a car that the Car hire company gave Gary after his initial cars AC was broken.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Timezone Changes, KFC and Mosquito Invasion
So I have been in the US of A for just over a week and what an incredible week it has been. After setting sail from OR Tambo International airport (I still cant get over that its called that) I headed on an 11 hour flight to London Heathrow, a flight filled with many mixed emotions of leaving, coupled with the excitement of the adventure and the journey that I have now embarked on. Embarking upon your dreams is never easy, it always comes at a cost, whether you realise it or not. Leaving such amazing friends and family is never easy to do, but knowing that it for a time is only a somewhat subtle comfort. As I flew over Africa a realized that my life was going to change in many ways... O but what and adventure it is gonna be. One that I have dreamed about for many years.
Touch down in Chicago land, I had to catch a taxi to my host families house, as my international roaming did not work and therefore I could not get hold of Gary to get a lift a really rookie error when it comes to travelling in the modern world. Never the less things things alway work out.. sometimes at price, this time $50 for my taxi ride out into the surrounding suburbs. Back in the US for a 3rd time, I was quickly reminded of how everything here is big, so big, big roads, big trucks, big cars, big malls, big people... I certainly wasnt at home in my little part of Africa anymore.
I arrived at the house to be greeted by my host family, Sue (the mom) and 10 year old adopted daughter from Guatemala named Harley. After getting organized I went over to Gary's (Gary is the Senior Pastor at Gracepoint Church in Lonehill and a mentor of mine)hosts house Dan and Pam, to touch base and to plan what we would be doing over the next few days. After heading on a run to explore the surrounding suburbs (something I like to do when i arrive in a new place- I have taken after my parents in this respect) I sat down to a grand dinner of my favorite fast food - KFC with my host. Now any of you who know me, know that I absolutely hate KFC, so my first night in fast food land was undesirable to say the least. I painful sat through dinner, trying to pretend that I was grateful for food. Nevertheless a combination of KFC and my weak stomach, the story did not have a happy ending, I woke up in the middle of the night and promptly through is all up.
Touch down in Chicago land, I had to catch a taxi to my host families house, as my international roaming did not work and therefore I could not get hold of Gary to get a lift a really rookie error when it comes to travelling in the modern world. Never the less things things alway work out.. sometimes at price, this time $50 for my taxi ride out into the surrounding suburbs. Back in the US for a 3rd time, I was quickly reminded of how everything here is big, so big, big roads, big trucks, big cars, big malls, big people... I certainly wasnt at home in my little part of Africa anymore.
I arrived at the house to be greeted by my host family, Sue (the mom) and 10 year old adopted daughter from Guatemala named Harley. After getting organized I went over to Gary's (Gary is the Senior Pastor at Gracepoint Church in Lonehill and a mentor of mine)hosts house Dan and Pam, to touch base and to plan what we would be doing over the next few days. After heading on a run to explore the surrounding suburbs (something I like to do when i arrive in a new place- I have taken after my parents in this respect) I sat down to a grand dinner of my favorite fast food - KFC with my host. Now any of you who know me, know that I absolutely hate KFC, so my first night in fast food land was undesirable to say the least. I painful sat through dinner, trying to pretend that I was grateful for food. Nevertheless a combination of KFC and my weak stomach, the story did not have a happy ending, I woke up in the middle of the night and promptly through is all up.
New Beginnings
OK so I have really bad at blogging, I have intended to document some of my travels to whoever reads this and some of my thoughts, views, opinions on life and the world I am experiencing around me. It would encourage me, if you leave your comments questions, notes etc etc. I also love hearing from you. Not that Im sure that anybody reads this but if you do.
So from here on I am going to back track a few weeks to the beginning of my trip to the US of A. First stop Chicago Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit, then Washington DC and hopefully onward to Vancouver. I hope that you enjoy.
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