Monday 27 August

Got up 6:20 as normal for a week day. Caught 7:35 to Gatwick arrived by 8:00.

Took about half and hour to check baggage and get boarding tickets. Left my book on the US Airways desk :(

New massive departure security area. Got through in only ten minutes.

Then had to travel through a maze of duty free perfume shops. Checked WH Smiths for alternative reading but only books that looked interesting were £12.99 for a trade paperback!

Boarding at gate 13, got there by 9:00. So from getting to airport to waiting for the plane only took one hour.

On board around 9:30 seat 21F, plane took off at 10:13

In flight movie (on demand) Rio. Halfway through lunch was served. Low salt, chicken, boiled new potatoes with broccoli, salad. And roll with melon and pineapple to finish. Drinks served included tea, cranapple, orange juice, coffee. Tried to sleep to little effect.

Read ebook, then had salad sandwich at 5:05pm.

Landed at Charlotte eight hours after take off and 6540km later.

Got to passport control 6:30pm BST / 1:30pm local. Got through to baggage claim 2:10pm all baggage already in the hall. Sailed through customs then had a BK Whopper meal at around 3:00pm.

Went to gate D5 checked email and LJ on my eeepc, charged iPod via it's USB port. Then started reread of "Magic Below Stairs" recovered from checked bag earlier.

Started boarding 5.40pm plane took off at 6.25pm
Arrived Chicago 7:00 an hour and thirty five minutes later. Was waiting at baggage claim until 7:30 when bags started to appear.

Got $10 CTA Transit Card, left O'Hare 7:52, got to Jackson stop on the Blue Line about 40 min later. (used $2.25 of credit). Checked in to hostel (HI Chicago) and was in bed by 9:15pm. (3.15am BST ).. (3.15am BST ).

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