Andrew Dubber     

Train hit by lightning. Wait here for bus.

Part 3 of the story, and I actually make it in to Chicago.

To say the flight was uneventful would be to downplay how much it was all about sitting around and doing nothing. I arrived at O’Hare a bit bewildered and looked around for the shuttle from Terminal 5 that would take me to Terminal 3, which has the Blue Line train to the city.

Not running. Hit by lightning, apparently. Really. So there was a frantic queue for shuttle buses, and by the time I managed to get on what essentially amounted to a human sardine can on wheels, a good half hour had passed.

I eventually made it to the train, which took a further hour to get to the Washington stop (most of the Chicago train stations are named after other cities, it seems). Made it to the conference venue and found that all I’d missed so far was a bit of socialising and getting to meet the other bloggers.

Apparently the American government has been infiltrated by Russian spies.

I met David Dalka, on whose couch I’m sleeping, and his friend Bob – and they took me for a walk to see some of the city. We stopped at the University of Chicago Business School, where they had both attended, and used the lockers so I wouldn’t have to carry my bags all over town.

A whistle-stop tour of some of the most amazing architecture, a stop inside the Herald Tribune building to read the quotes about free speech on the walls, and then a drink at the Signature Lounge on top of the John Hancock building. 96th floor. There were views to be had – especially when the rain came in as the sunset hit.

We finished our drinks and wandered along to where the next SOBCon event was taking place. There was something happening on a boat. Free drinks and food, and a 2 hour ride up and down the Chicago river. Met some really nice people, collected a handful of business cards, and saw some of the most breathtaking views of a city I’ve ever seen.

I’d seen it from above – but Chicago from the river by night is just amazingly spectacular.

Far too many photos to put here. Have a look through the Flickr set.

Tagged: Travel