YWAM Hong Kong .....

I’m back in England now,  and back at my job at Tesco.

I had a great time in Hong Kong. On my last day I did a little shopping, and then at the Airport I met my old friend Kawuma from Uganda.

He tracked me down and phoned me at my hotel and we were able to arrange things so I could meet him at the Airport for coffee. He is now doing a lot in Tanzania. Praise God, there a lot of things that God is doing in the world!

As I mentioned in my last blog I had a good time with Joe and Nancy at YWAM Hong Kong. They would love you to join them. Here is a link to their web-site :-

YWAM Hong Kong

And here is information of their Christmas Outreach...

So why not E-mail Joe or Nancy at ywam@uofn.org.hk if you want to join them for the outreach, but you had better do it right away as it is about to start! Or you may wish to do a Discipleship Training School, I know that many of my readers have already done one and would testify that it is a life changing experience.

As I said, I had a good chat with Joe and Nancy and I am well aware that there are many American people who do not like or approve of Barack Obama.  Joe and Nancy were interested in my project and encouraged me, but it was also good to have their input as well as others who have e-mailed me. So I will try to address these issues in my next blog.

Arrived safely in Hong Kong.

I’m in Hong Kong now! I nearly didn’t make it to Myanmar (Burma) because my flight to Singapore some got cancelled, but I managed to buy another ticket with a different airline and make my connection in Singapore to get the flight to Myanmar. My adventures there are for another time, but I arrived in Hong Kong safely on Saturday 21st November. In Hong Kong my ID worked like a dream. It's certainly not out of date. I went through the automatic gate by putting the card into the machine much as you would a bank ATM or an entrance gate to a train. The gate opened and seconds and then all that was needed was a thumbprint and I was into Hong Kong. Oh that all things could be that easy!

Yesterday I went to St.Andrews in Nathan Road, my old church.

I saw the sign saying the service was at 11:00 am. It was about 10:00 am. So I thought I just have time to pop into McDonald’s (which is next door to the church) for breakfast.  I was just approaching McDonald’s when I heard a voice call out “Jimmy”. It was Stephen! He said the service time had changed for this Sunday as they had special service at 10:00 am. It was God’s perfect timing that he saw me! So we had a wonderful service with lots of information about St.Andrews plans for redevelopment. It seems that all the churches I know are having building programmes! After the service was a church barbecue, and then I spent the day with Stephen and his family. We had really good fellowship and shared about many things. Another day in Hong Kong tomorrow, so more news then. I’m typing this in McDonald’s over breakfast. I may have missed my breakfast yesterday, but I got it today and free WiFi connection to the Internet that I have missed so much in other places.

Here’s the latest. The free  WiFi connection at McDonald’s has some conditions, they want to know your e-mail address and your mobile phone no. Of course I don’t have a mobile phone here in Hong Kong so it won’t work for me. So here’s a tip - get your mobile phone unlocked before the trip and you can get a SIM card for about £10- at the Hong Kong Airport. So if you are travelling meeting friends it could be quite useful. And you could use McDonald’s 20 minutes of free WiFi per day as well!

Right now I am at the YWAM Base at Shui Tau Tsuen, Kam Tin in the New Territories of Hong Kong. They have an Internet connection they are letting me use. I have a nice chat with Nancy, and Joe is here. Nancy has invited me to dinner so I will meet Joe then.

Picture of Nancy Vallese  &  Joe Rystrom (Base Leaders) 

 &  Me by the 50th Anniversary YWAM Banner

It was quite a challenge to find their place after a few years, but I did and I found the old tree that they have here.  It's worth coming all the way out here just to see it.

Nancy has been telling me all about their YWAM Base  here. They have 41 staff here, and quite a few different nationalities, so they have grown quite a bit since I was here. They run 3 different Discipleship Training Schools, one focused on “Compassion”, one on China, and one on Performing Arts. They also run FEET, Far East Evangelism Teams, and quite a few other ministries as well.

Nancy, like many  was intrigued by my Obama book project. Pray she and none of you well be disappointed by the result.

With Steve & Detty in Indonesia

Eventually I  managed to get my flight to Jakarta. Wonderful Victor was there to pick me up at the airport thanks to the blessings of e-mail communications! And what a joy to see Steve and Detty.

Steve  took me to see their new church building....

As you can see, it's nearly completed. In December they will have a special Christmas concert in the new building, and they are full of faith that it will be ready on time.

And in February they will have their official grand opening.

I had a great time  Steve and Detty, and did a puppet drama in both their Indonesian and English Children's Church. Due to the much shortened stay I was not able to see Obama's School, but I will be back in February for their grand opening so there should be another opportunity then. Oh, and I just missed Barack  Obama himself who had just left Indonesia when I arrived!

Grounded in Sydney !

My flight has been delayed by an Ash Cloud over Indonesia. It has been rescheduled to Friday so I should be able to leave for Jakarta later today.We need to pray for Steve and Detty in all of this as it will have really disrupted their plans for my activities with them. I have been in touch withem and they are very understanding. These things happen in life, in fact friends in Asford will remember when Pastors David and Joyce Lamb got stuck in Hong Kong due to an Ash Cloud over Iceland!




At least this has given me the opportunity to see Sydney! It had been an impossibly short time in the original programme.

My Burmese friend had asked me to meet up with her friend in Sydney. I had great difficulty, trying toi phone her mobile from a public phone box and struggling with the hotel internet. So we tried and then found it to be too difficult and so cancelled our meeting. What a disappointment. Then the flight delay came up. So I tried to get in touch again and this time we were able to fix up a meeting on Thursday. What a joy to meet up with this sweet Burmese lady doing her masters at the University of Technology Sydney. Her husband and baby are in Singapore so it is quite a sacrfice for her to be here, but she has a scholarship and an opportunity that could not be turned down. Do pray for these intelligent students from third world countries like Burma who face many obstacles to gain the qualifications that many of us take for granted.


So I got to go up the Sydney Tower ...

and see the Sydney Opera House.

Next Stop Jakarta and Steve And Detty.....

Obama's Flat in Poki Street

This has been the highlight of the tour. Although it was expensive it was nice to hire a car and cruise around at a slow speed along the sunny Hawaiian streets.

I coped with driving on the right, and thanks to the GPS Satellite Navigation I did not get lost, but I would never have found my way there without it.

After visiting the Lutheran Church that Obama had attended I went in hunt of his house in Poki Street. This address is the famous one that his school friends remember visiting. And Poki Street is just around the corner from  the Lutheran Church. I walked up and down in search of 1839. At first I was convinced it must have been bulldozed to make room for an extra car park for the church. I saw some flats next to the car park, so I thought "I bet he lived in a flat rather like one of those, I will take  picture to get an idea of the sort of place he lived in.

Then I walked closer and I thought I saw the number, rather faded I think you will agree :-

Well, they didn't  bulldoze it after all! They can't  bulldoze it now! I was thrilled, I'd found the place where Barack Obama had lived as a child in Hawaii! Not a house but a flat in a simple seventies style block

.

I took this photo and then as I approached the flats a girl was coming down the stairs. 

"Is this the place where Barack Obama lived?" I asked.

"Yes, it is, as far as we can tell he lived in No.9 on the top floor, where we are living now."

"O wow! could I like inside?"

"Would you like to? You'd be most welcome. You can see his humble origins!"

"Oh thanks! Wow! Have lots of people been to see his place?"

"You are the first one!"

Talk about humble origins! Talk about Poki Street.... it was a poki, poky (!) flat! But I encouraged the girls living there that it had a nice relaxed holiday atmosphere. However it was small, a single living area with kitchenette at one end. probably only two bedrooms. Of course I didn't want to invade the girls privacy but they  were happy for me to come in and I only took photos with their permission. And here's one they took of me sitting on their sofa. 

To think, if I had been a few minutes later I would have missed them and never seen inside. 

"I don't think it's been remodelled since the day he lived in it!"

Certainly the sink and the cooker looked seventies style. This was probably the very worktop that Barack's mother prepared his sandwiches! There are more pictures but you'll have to buy my book to see them!

When you see the school with it's 74 acres of manicured lawns and beautiful buildings, and you see this small humble flat you can only begin to guess the sacrifices that his family of modest means must have made in order to send Barack to one of the most prestigious schools in the world! Thanks to them he is where he is now. 

ObamaLand !

Today was the day I did my "ObamaLand" tour! It was the most fruitful, but also the most expensive as I had hired a car in order to get to the places where he had lived. I paid extra for a GPS Satellite Navigation aid and I am glad I did, I would never have found my way there otherwise.

So I typed in the address of his school and off we went! It was my first time driving in America, and my first time driving an automatic car. Also there were various uncertainties about the insurance so I didn't want any accident! But Hawaii is not New York or Chicago, everyone here drives slowly and they're all very courteous and understanding, and the roads are not too crowded (especially on a Sunday) so it all went fine.

I got to my destination (according to the GPS) and started looking for a place to park. All the side streets seemed full. I turned back onto the main road and was driving along when I saw the school. Actually I thought I saw the name of the school in big letters on a sign, but later walking around I found there was no sign. Was I seeing in the Spirit? Anyway just after spotting the school I saw a place to park, and it was just outside the school.

Once in the grounds I met an elderly couple and then a very friendly security man in a buggy who gave me a lift in his buggy! He said as it was Sunday and all the classrooms were locked I could wander anywhere I wanted to....

The more I saw of Punahou School (although I didn't get round all of it's 74 acre campus) the more I realised what a sacrifice his mother and grandparents must have made to afford to send Barack to such a grand school.

As I was leaving the campus I saw people going into a church across the road so I went in too. It turned out to be a Catholic Church, but the Spirit was there and we even sang one of those "fisherfolk" spirit-filled songs as well as some others that were uplifting.

Then I walked around seeing two places where Barack briefly lived, and then I looked in my book and headed off to his church and the famous Poki Street address. I found the church, took some photos from the road.

Then I went round to what looked like the entrance. There were two ladies coming out. Could I take some photos inside the church? Unfortunately I was too late, the church was already locked up, and they needed to go to another appointment. Never mind, so I took a couple more from outside and then I noticed the priest coming to the entrance. Could I take some photos inside the church? He was delighted to show me round, I had just caught him in time! ....

But if you want to here a miracle of “being just in time” wait till you hear about the Poki Street experience!
I've written a lot for today. And there's an early start tomorrow with nothing to report except another flight, so I'll tell you about  the "Poki Street experience" then!

Aloha!

Aloha ! Greetings from Hawaii !
This place is a tropical Paradise, such a contrast to Chicago!  I caught a bus straight to my hotel. My room has a balcony,  every room has a balcony! It also has a fridge and a safe to lock away my valuables. Well, there are no valuable Jewels with me, not like Barbara Cartland, the romantic novelist. Many years ago a  magazine did an article about the photos that famous people have in their passports. Barbara Cartland was wearing her usual pink and was adorned with furs and diamond and pearls. The comment by her picture was something like "does she really go through customs dressed like this". No jewels for me, but I am able to hide my computer away in there.

There is a totally different atmosphere here to Chicago. It's warm, but the people are cool! It has a very laid back atmosphere, and every other person appears to be a tourist. And our hotel has an arrangement with the "Pink" trolley bus company so we travel free on their "Pink" trolley buses.

It's clean with lots of manicured  lawns, waterfalls, beautiful  flowers and amazing trees. I took this photo from a  "Pink" trolley bus.

Don't you just love it! The sunshining through the trees and the wind just catching the lady's skirt....

I should have got my travel agent to book more days in this place.

Not just because it's such a lovely place  to be, but because after a lot of searching the tour guide man found an Obama tour for me .... but it's on Monday after my plane has whisked me away on my way to Sydney.

Well, not to worry, in my shopping around I found this book....

.... So I will be able to create my own tour! I've booked a hire car for tomorrow and so "ObamaLand -  Here I come!"

Parcel Troubles!

I want to praise God for answered prayer, and say to you - Never never give up! I am hoping to get Rev.  Dr. Jeremiah Wright to autograph his book and send it back to me in England. And hopefully he will give some interesting comments about how Barack Obama came to Christ.  It is amazing that a man of his background with a  mother who was an atheist and both father and step father strongly influenced by Islam should become a Christian  with what appears to be a  genuine faith. So I would love to have some first hand insights from Pastor Wright.

Well, I no joy at the church itself except the receptionist's advice to mail the book to him. So I got busy when i got back to my hotel preparing a parcel for him. By the time it was just about ready it was too late to go to the Post Office, so I thought I would post from the Airport. I am at the Airport now and, guess what, there is no Post Office at the Airport! But that is only half the story! The small half!

Just to add to the excitement of the day, I woke up early so that I could go to have a early breakfast before going to the Airport. Well I noticed what looked like a bill had been put under my door. I knew I had already paid! So it was a quick e-mail to my travel agent ... the situation got sorted but it was not the best start to the day!

After breakfast it was off to the nearest Blue Line Underground Station and then the train to the Airport. I had to purchase a ticket because my 3-day ticket was over, but I had the change now for the $2.25 ticket. Then it was down the steps to the platform.

I saw the side of the platform that had trains to O'Hare Airport, and when the train pulled in I got on. The trains in Chicago all have announcements between the stations. I quickly realised that my train was not going all the way to the Airport, but terminating at Jefferson, an intermadiate station. Well not a problem, I thought, I will get out at a nice looking station and wait for the next train. The train moved out of its tunnel and into the open air. This looks nice,  I thought, I will get out here. The trains don't stop for long, as soon as the doors open the announcer says "Doors closing". So I got out quickly with my case and carry-on.

No sooner had i got on the platform than the train doors closed and the train departed. It was nice to be out in the oen air, although it was a little nippy with a cold wind. I looked to see if there might be a seat, perhaps out of the wind. Then I noticed. Where was my white bag with the parcel for Dr. Wright? Oh no! I knew immediately - it was still on the seat on the train that was terminating at Jefferson. What was I to do? Well I was early, so I didn't need to rush to the Airport, so I should go to Jefferson and try to get my bag with the parcel back. God can do a miracle! I'll pray, I like to receive miracles and God loves to do them! But I tell you, I was not very full of faith... or should I say the hope that it woukd be found and I would get it back.

What a stupid thing! Leaving the bag on the train! But one thing I have learned if you should leave anything anywhereis go back and try to find it right away. If you go back right away there is a chance. Someone may pick it up and hand it in. And if I pray God can work it out. So I prayed and waited for the next train. It was a long time coming. The platform announcer said it was delayed.  I was not able to look around at the interesting buildings or enjoy the bright early morning sunshine, I was praying and I was worried. How stupid! That book was not a cheap bargain. And then there's all the money I spent on the 2 special envelopes. And then there's the actual money I put in to pay for Rev. Wright's postage. And surely at this time, the train will "tiurn around" quickly and be heading into town full of commuters. There didn't seem much hope.

Eventually a train to the Airport pulled up to the platform. Incidentally this station was not at ground level but was up high, near the roofs of regular houses, and the platform was wooden. Well, train was not only delayed in coming, it got delayed en route as well! There were quite a few stations before we reached Jefferson. And what the other passengers must have thought seeing me get off with my case and carry-on ... that stupid passenger surely he know this is not the Airport! I went up to the concourse and found a station offficial. He didn't look like the kind of man who could help me. Like ii-n England there are very few staff and I was ure he would say "I'm sorry, nothing's been handed in the train is on its way back to the city, there's nothing we can do".

But he was quite sympathetic and understanding, and he knew exactly the train number that i had been travelling on. He told me to back to the platform in the lift and he would see me there. Imet him there, he said the train hadn't left yet. In came a train he walked up the plaform. I followed him, glancing into the train as it drew into the platform, but he wasn't corncerned. That train was soon full of people and left. We were up by the front end of the platform. I though "Well, I have the time, I feel so stupid but they might still find it,. This man is being so helful, the least I can do iis just 'hang in there' and wait to see if anything is found. A lady train driver came up.Another train came in and she got on it. Then out of the driver's window someone held my bag. An older man came of the train with it. I thanked him and the station official who had helped me all along. That man left and I was left chatting with the older man.Praise God it had been found.

Now there is no Post Office at the Airport! Not to worry, I'll find one in Hawaii. And it gives me a chance to read more of Dr Wright's book befor I send it to him to sign. God is good! Never give up!

What did you eat for breakfast?

I thought I might just write a few words about the Great Big American Breakfast! The breakfasts here at La Quinta are self-serve buffet style, and all the plates, cups, and cutlery are disposable. It comes as a little bit of a shock coming from green England to see how much is thrown away over here! But it is no different to McDonalds, and it saves labour and keeps everywhere nice and clean.

On Tuesday I tried my hand at frying waffles on a special Waffle Maker. On Wednesday I had cereal with yoghurt and fresh fruit. Today I had some  fresh fruit with a type of porridge, and then scrambled egg with a burger. I've also tried the muffins and the bagels. Well I like to have a big breakfast and then it lasts most of the day! Breakfast like a King and dinner like a pauper is what they say!

And today I did lots of walking so I should be getting slim and healthy! I went back to the Willis Tower Post Office as it is the only Post Office I can find in Chicago. So I posted my postcards that I had written earlier, and got a Post Box. This is an inspiration from the Lord. I have been frustrated in my desire to see inside the church where  President Obama came to Christ, and to meet the pastor, the Reverend Dr Jeremiah Wright. I bought his book when I went to the church on Tuesday. The bookshop lady said that he will be signing copies in December. I will note be around then I said. But that will not stop me getting him to sign my copy of his book! He can sign it and mail it to me. More important is the contact with him and his insights into and comments on the Faith of Barack Obama. So that's where the Post Box comes in so he will pop the book into the Post Box and mail it to me. The people at the reception would not receive my book and Post Box but suggested I mail it to him, so I will. Poor man, I think he will feel a bit like  the unjust judge of Luke 18:1-8 by the time I've finished with him!
It was not just the church and the Post Office, but also a huge park that I walked to and walked around while the Canada Geese flew overhead.

Minutes later the sky had turned dark....

And see the clouds in this picture (Willis Tower circled)....

But it did not rain on me, not at that time anyway.

Later I went to find the famous Moody Bible Institute Bookshop. No one told me that the "Chicago" Station on the blue line was miles away from the "Chicago" Station on the brown line! I had to walk those miles in the rain and wind! But the bookshop was nice and here is a picture of it, doesn't it look Christmasy!

Tomorrow it's "Goodbye Rain" and  "Goodbye Snow" and "Hello Hawaii"!

The Tallest Building in the United States

Sometimes you just need a rest don't you? And today it was raining in the morning so I used the time to catch up with my e-mails and my Bible study.

In the afternoon I became a tourist and went up to the Skydeck in the Willis Tower - The Tallest Building in the United States....

As you can see the rain stopped in the afternoon ... so I had a good time up the tower and walking about below! But I'm afraid to say I failed to get in touch with Rev. Jeremiah Wright or his secretary. I was not able to get a SIM Card for my mobile phone. I might try a public phone tomorrow. Still, I can't be hunting Obama facts every day, it was nice to play the tourist for a change!

Trinity United Church of Christ

Today has been a glorious day here in Chicago, wall to wall sunshine and blue skies without a cloud in the sky. They say that the weather will get progressively worse during the week, some clouds tomorrow and then rain ... but I've been unable to confirm this because today is election day in the States and any other news (including the weather) seems to be postponed until tomorrow.

Today I visited Trinity United Church of Christ the home church of Barack Obama and the church where controversial preacher Jeremiah Wright was the senior pastor, and he is still pastor emeritus.

I was a bit apprehensive about going there. Even Barack Obama's description in his book "Dreams from My Father" mentions about the security and the rule of no cameras. And I've also read about the strong black identity of the church - Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian  - a place where Africa is part of one's theology ... a place where liberation and salvation meet. As you read those words, taken straight from their Website, you know what theology they have there. Take a look, there's good things too. And I've read about the picture of a "black Jesus" .... and it's true, I've seen it now! Mind you when I went to work with the Vietnamese Refugee Children in Hong Kong all those years ago I stopped colouring Jesus the bright pink that even doesn't look like us "white" people, and started colouring a Him a light brown colour with black hair. And my co-teacher from Sweden stopped using her pictures of him with bright yellow hair! But it wasn't just to make Him more acceptable to the Vietnamese. It seemed more natural, more true to His Mediterranean sun-tanned (He was outside a lot!) Jewish complexion. And when you read the next paragraph you will understand why I did get too critical of Trinity United Church of Christ.

Yes, when you travel to the part of town where the church you will notice that there are no white people there. Well, today there was one, and he was me! But I'm telling you, go to Africa and you will see more white people than you will in that part of town. But this is an interesting thing about America, there are different places within the land. After my first visit to Trinity United Church of Christ and went to visit Chicago's China Town. I felt more at home there, but it felt much more like Hong Kong than America, and you would be more likely to hear Chinese being spoken than English. So the "blackness" of the neighbourhood was perhaps not so unusual.

I went to the area by train. It was the end of the line. I had bought a 3 day pass and think it paid for itself just today. Interestingly you put your plastic card pass into the turnstile as you into the station (much like you do on the English Underground) but you never need it when you exit. I suppose it's the same fare whether you go one stop or many. Anyway I felt a little self conscious being the only white person on the train. I got of at the last stop and the lady station attendant said it was about 4 blocks. I said I'd walk as it was so nice and sunny. But they were big blocks! When I later went a second time and took the    bus it was 2 stops! But it was good to walk. I didn't go past by mistake... Here's a picture of it.

The security was tight. They don't like people taking photos. They can't stop you from taking photos outside, but inside it's strictly no photos. That's not just no photos during a service, or no photos without permission, but no photos at all, full stop! So my drawings of the inside of the church in my book will have to be based on my memory and my imagination.

I wanted to meet Rev. Jeremiah Wright, but that was not possible. The man at reception gave me an internal number and directed me to a phone which I could use to phone his secretary. But she was clearly not at her desk and I only got a recorded message. I could not look in the sanctuary and the bookshop only opened at 4:00pm. But they had a security guard as well as 2 receptionists and various other people came in and out. but I suppose in that neighbourhood they need some security, especially with such a nice church building ...

I walked back to the train station. Chicago downtown (where my hotel is) is very clean, cleaner than London, but this neighbourhood less so. There were weeds poking through cracks in the pavement. There were young black men hanging around with nothing to. There was metal mesh protecting the windows of the "liquor" store, and metal bars protecting the doors of the new looking houses (like I had in my flat in China). The tree-lined side roads looked nice but you could tell there was poverty. Walking back I thought to myself "I don't really want to walk here after dark"!

Then I had lunch in McDonalds ... and then went to Chinatown on the train and also did a little shopping. I thought about seeing some sights in the sunshine but as it was after 4:00pm and still bright and sunny I decided to go back to Trinity United Church of Christ and see their bookshop. They had lots of books about slavery and black struggle and black church history and theology, but a few classics like  'My Utmost for His Highest' by Oswald Chambers and some books on prayer and a book by Max Lucardo. Certainly the books looked quite intellectual and serious. The door of the bookshop was not open, but I was able to enter and leave via the reception and I passed their back hall which had a kind of wall of fame with photos of Jeremiah Wright and previous pastors. When I came out a train was crossing the level crossing. This was not the line of my electric Underground style train. No, no, no, this was the rare passing of one of those mile-long freight trains. It just went on and on. After a minute I decided to cross the road (that I needed to do) and it was easy to cross that 4 lane high way as the cars could not go anywhere with train passing in front of them. And they were backed up as far as my eye could see.

Well, I did buy a book by Jeremiah Wright, and you never know, I might yet get to see him. Pray about it! I would love to hear from him how he led Barack Obama to Christ. Oh, and I would love him to sign my copy of his book!

Getting to America!

Post From Heathrow Airport
I am typing this at Heathrow Airport as I wait for my gate to open. The last week has been so hectic as I have got ready for my trip and also produced a Christmas card with a flight map (like the one on the Monday, October 18, 2010 posting) and sent it to most of my friends on my Christmas card list. It was a real effort only made possible by having Thursday, 21 October as an extra day off from Tesco. So I designed the card on that day and was able to print it at a very reasonable on our church's colour photocopier. I printed 200, about 30 or so I gave out to church folk yesterday, but most of the rest I've been busy printing out addresses and posting the cards all week One result is that I should have more people reading this blog by the time this post gets broadcast. The other result is that I have been less well prepared for this trip. But my sweet sister helped me pack and I just hope that nothing is forgotten.

Well here we are at Heathrow Terminal 5, a nice new Terminal, showcase for Britain perhaps, but not quite up to the beauty of some airports like Singapore with their beautiful gardens! And getting here has not exactly been a showcase  for British luxury. I came on the Greenline 724 Airport bus which rattled its way through suburban town and never went near the M25 motorway, not that the M25 would have got me there much quicker, it's always full of traffic! Whatever happened to the nice Virgin bus with the man who put your bags in the hold and Heathrow as the first stop. But I was early because I feared long queues due to the recent "printer cartridge bombs" found on British flights bound for America, so when this bus came along I caught it. But I do wonder what happened to the bus that I thought I had found on the Internet, and that I have caught before. And why are British people so unhelpful. Well, I  know that I have just been given a badge at Tesco that says "I am friendly and helpful" but I probably also fall far short of the mark. Anway, this bus was going to Heathrow Terminal 5 so I caught it. No hold for my case which fell over as the bus went round corners so I went to sit on a rather hard fold-down chair so that I could be next to it. The bus had many local people on it, shoppers, grannies, even a lady with a pushchair and a baby that cried. But after many stops it got me right to Heathrow Terminal 5 and in good time.

Post From Flight BA 279
Terminal 5 has automatic check-in at computer terminals so when I went to what looked to me like a check-in desk I was directed back to one of the computer terminals. At it I typed in my booking reference and scanned my passport and typed in the hotel address. It issued me with a boarding card (which was actually paper!) and then I went to the "check-in desk". Then it was through the emigration and then the security. Finally I was -in the departure hall as I described at the beginning of this post. A much nicer departure hall than others at Heathrow with a large window to view the planes. I sat down and read a newspaper someone had left behind and then I started typing this post.

Then I realised that time had flown and it was time to look for my gate. It was over in "B" Terminus so had to go on a "transit" underground train to get there. Now I'm on the plane sitting between  2 nice folk from Chicago. So I get to ask them what there is to see in their city. Fortunately I also have a DK Eyewiness Travel book which I got cheaply over the Internet. The best advice so far is to get a 5 day pass for the train and bus system (which is run by the city, surprising in the land of private enterprise!).

Post From La Quinta Downtown Hotel Chicago
I've arrived now and safely made it to my hotel. It seems that my ESTA permission to stay in the US without a visa went through automatically, I did not have to fill in any form or show my papers to any official. At the immigration the young official was friendly and polite. They had all the biometric technology, hand fingerprint scanner and special camera to take a picture of one's eyes. Then the man asked me how long I was staying and as  I was a bit vague I said I wanted to check on my calendar. I bent over to find it in my carry-one case and the man kept saying "talk to me" and "look at me. Anyway I found my Itinerary from the Travel Agent Mike Langford and the sweet official was happy with that and said my Travel Agent had done a good job. He wished me a pleasant stay. Then it was on to the bag carousel and the customs and on through what looked like a fire escape. Fortunately the doors opened  automatically, and not onto some back street but a corridor leading to more doors and the arrivals hall. Then it was into a "transit" and up escalators and down elevators to the train station.

Of course I had all kinds of concerns. Although I had all the printed pages that Travel Agent Mike Langford had sent me, these did not have his instructions to the hotel, he had sent those in an e-mail. Surely his file was on my little net-book computer. Yes it was, but unfortunately this was an older version of his file and did not have his latest e-mails, so his instructions to the hotel were not there. But my next seat lady on the plane had encouraged me to catch the train and had told me the station that she thought was near my hotel. Then there was the old man who sat on the other side of me. He was going to get a Limo because he didn't think it was safe for his wife to drive at night... Was it safe to take the train at night?

But at the station a helpful platform attendant showed me the machines to buy the tickets, $2.25 but no change given. I asked about the 5 day pass and he showed me a different machine... no 5 day pass but a 3 day one for £14-. Fortunately I had a few $1- bills (notes) because this machine didn't give change either. It's good advice to take some small denomination notes as well as the $100- ones that the exchange people in countries like Burma and India give a better exchange rate on. The platform attendant told me to go to Washington Station which was about 18 or so stops. The trains were much like our British Underground not quite as nice as some of our better ones but quite good enough ... here's a picture of the plastic seats...

And here's something that caught my eye an ad for Islam.

It says "I am Allah, there is no god but I, therefore serve Me and keep up prayer for my remembrance."

So Islam is having an impact in America.

The train seemed to be going along the central reservation of a motorway with cars and trucks passing the train on either side. As we got closer I noticed the shops ... I would have expected McDonalds (they were there), but it was interesting to see Blockbuster (video store) and even Aldi (the budget supermarket from Germany).

Closer to the centre the train went underground. I got off at Washington Station (which is a few stops past California!) up the escalator and then I asked the ticket man how to get to my hotel. He said up the steps and then right and it's 4 blocks along. There were quite a lot of steps! I counted the blocks as I went along. Then I stopped and looked at my map which was not much help. As I was standing there trying to work out where I was a kind young lady came up and said "Are you lost?" "I'm looking for La Quinta" I replied. "It's over there!" she said pointing across the road. I thanked her, crossed the road when the light told me to (they have a red hand for "stop" and a white man for "walk across"). Someone must have been praying!  (And people will always ask me "was she an angel?" Well, she seemed just a kind and beautiful human being, but she was like an angel to me coming to my aid at a critical moment. Oh, and as was focused on getting to the hotel I never turned round, she could have just disappeared as angels do!)

The reception here at La Quinta is not that grand, but the room is very nice. It has a big flatscreen TV, and 2 large beds. There is no fridge or mini-bar, but there is an excellent coffee making machine. So it's time to try one of those nice beds! See you tomorrow!