Rail USA 2025

Boarded the City of New Orleans again at 10.45pm. Much faffing in our tiny “roomette”. We had checked in our larger case, which was just as well because, once our seats had been converted into a pair of bunks, there was just enough room for one of us to stand, or we could have the smaller case. The only way to get undressed for bed was to clamber up onto the top bunk and lie on my back to undress. No chance of sitting up on the top bunk. Some sleep was had but not a lot. Bunk so narrow and it felt as if someone was constantly shaking it. Not even consistently because the train kept changing speed.

Eventually at 6.15 the happy conductor made sure that everyone was awake by broadcasting our arrival at some random wee station. Shocking breakfast. Including an egg, cheese sausage bagel, reheated by microwave. Completely inedible. Delighted to get off the train just before 9 at a rather grand Chicago Union Station. Left the bags at the station as we couldn’t get into our apartment until after 4.

Walked to the centre of downtown and took a very expensive “architecture” river boat cruise. This was highly rated in the guide books but I guess we don’t have much interest in the names of the architects who designed the endless big buildings. A pleasant enough hour and a half though.

Then headed off to a recommended restaurant for some Chicago deep pan pizza. Not bad, but not great either.

Walked along the riverside to the station, collected our bags and walked to our apartment. Got organised, washed and dried all our dirty clothes, showered and dressed, ready for another meal. Tonight it was Greek, seeing as we are in the middle of Greektown. Usual sharing. Main course was a combination of various dishes and tasted much better than it looked. Early to bed.Читать далее