- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- May 13, 2015
- ☀️ 10 °C
- Altitude: 630 ft
- United StatesIllinoisCook CountyRosemontChicago O'Hare International Airport41°58’40” N 87°54’26” W
Washington DC to Chicago by AA
May 13, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C
On our tour last night we met several fellow travellers including George from the University of Brighton who has been working in Chicago for the last year as part of his degree in Psychology and Francesco from Parma, Italy who happened to know Canterbury well from staying there previously. However our favourite were John and Mayra-Fernanda from Columbia.
When we ordered at Ben's Chilli Bowl, Kim noticed John and Mayra had also stayed behind to eat (after the tour the group split with some heading to a bar) and Kim offered for them to sit with us at the table we'd managed to get. Up until this point we had not spoken to them and only knew from group introductions that they spoke very little English. However as we sat and edged conversation in slow English (also using Google Translate when really stuck) we quickly became friends.
We chatted away in the diner, walking back to the hostel together before sitting in the communal area as other travellers sat and watched The Shawshank Redemption on the television. We learned about each other's homes and lives as well as previous and future travel plans. We learnt some Spanish and they offered for us to visit them in Bogota. Both in their mid-30s with jobs in law and finance they have a young son who is cared for by family back home whilst they briefly holiday in the U.S. It was clear that they both missed him very much and talked about how they were uncertain whether to have a second child or not.
Although we missed each other at breakfast we made sure we said 'adios' before leaving for the airport to fly to Seattle. This was one of the best parts of our trip to Washington. Despite living in very different countries and with no real shared language we were still able to quickly relate as 'strangers in a strange land'. It was a brilliant experience and one we hope to continue throughout our adventure. Naturally we are now friends on Facebook with John and Mayra thanks to Kim having this and we hope to stay in touch with them.
As for the events of today, we took the metro out to the airport, briefly meeting an American family who were interested in our travel plans. The father telling his wife up ahead, 'hey honey, they're going to Seattle AND LA, damn, I live here and I haven't even been to those places!'. After a rush through security we made our flight, which transferred in Chicago before arriving in Seattle.Read more
Kim and Alex Chilli Half-Smoke. Yum!
Chloe Gill Kim how on EARTH are you managing to carry that massive bag?!!! You are hardcore. Respect!
Debbie glover Kim u look so happy x