HYATT Regency on Chicago's river walk

I was a bit more anxious this year, travelling to America on my own. I kept feeling as though I forgot something.

I waved hello to Barbara at the American Airways desk at Terminal 3. 'Wallen said you were flying, but I didn't see your name down' she smiled back. 'I pretty sure I'm booked on the flight this morning' I replied uncertainly and prayed silently, 'please God may I be booked on'.

The night before had been planned as a quiet night in, after the last minute dash of the trip to Souze. Everything was paked and waiting down stairs. Andy had cooked a spag-bol, I'm not convinced he can cook anything else. A few glasses of wine, and an early night. The alarm went off on time and the taxi arrived as planned at 6 am. Better take lap top and iPad as not sure if I can use the iPad in America, and in anycase I need to do a bit of work.
T3 was starting to get busy and the Ryan Air riff-raf were gathering. For me though, no worries. The nice people from AA did their usual foresic questioning about whether I planted a bomb in my suit case and if I was a terrorist. I got through the questions without a hiccup. By now I'd learnt my lines well, 'no I haven't planted a bomb and no, no one else could have either'.
Suddenly Barbara came up to me past the others waiting to check in. It was nice to say hello, but why the sudden appearance? The anxiety levels started to rise as she approached. There was a serious look on her face. 'Can I just take you to one side' she said with a smile, but the sort of smile that is sometimes the herald of bad news. Perhaps I wasn't booked on the flight as she had said, after all she has the list of passengers, and has the power to deny travel or do practically anything she likes for flight AA55 to Chicago on Saturday morning23rd March.
'Er OK then' my heart was starting to pound by now, although my head was telling me it would be alright. I stepped out of the queue and followed her to the AA ticket desk.
' I didn't know your first name was John.' 'Oh no not that again', I thought and worried. 'It's OK' she smiled, 'I changed your seat so you've got a window seat next to the emergency exit. Now if you go to that man' pointing' he will get you checked in. I hope you have a good trip'

Yes. More leg room. Thanks barbara.

After that everything went smoothlyish, except my lap top ran out of battery. So I found a plug in the airport longe and plugged it in. The wire trailed across a walk way, but I figured people could step over it, and most did. One didn't. Oh haughty looking air hostess with an American accent and a middle aged sturby, African-American attitude. She tutted and said 'excuse me'. I said ' oh no that's fine' before I realised she was telling me off. Anyway, at least I would not be seeing her again, as she tottered on her heels, Dick Emery style, away down the corridor.

I know, you've guessed already. Yes she was my air hostess, which made boarding and the first part of the flight a bit awkward. When she came round with the first lot of drinks I asked for a bloody Mary. She looked down at me and sucked her teeth as if to say 'at this time in the morning?' Actually what I meant was a tomato juice with Worcester sauce. They didn't have Worcester sauce and I'd have to pay for 'liquor'. 'Oh well never mind then' I smiled back. 'We have have spicy Tomato Juice' said her colleague, giving my hostess a siteways look. 'Ok then' I replied sheepishly.

We came to an unspoken truce after a couple of hours, and the rest of the flight was fine. Actually, because of the absence of wind, we arrived an hour early at Chicago's O'Hare airport. Now for the fun. There were the usual queues for immigration and customs. I joined the one that everyone else did, as there were no signs. After about half an hour, a man in a uniform said, 'why don't you go to Hall B, the queue is much shorter there' So I followed the stampede to Hall B where to queue was indeed shorter, much shorter. Mainly because there were three times as many customs officer and no one new to go there.

I got through alright, met up with someone else who was going the the Riverside Hyatt Regency Hotel, and shared a taxi. I checked in. My room wasn't quite ready yet 'will that be OK, or would you like me to see if we have another room, sir?' the helpful man said. 'Well another room would be good, if it's ready' I replied, feeling a wave of fatigue sweep over me. Then hopefully 'perhaps one with a view'. 'Certainly sir, but we charge an extra $20.' 'Oh well that should be OK' I said. 'A night' he went on. Oh well perhaps not then. 'We have an extra large room' he said tapping at the computer 'it overlooks the river, and I can offer you that at a complimentary rate.' he said expressionless and still looking at the comperter screen. Excellent. I accepted. The only problem with the room was that the bed, king size, was a pull down bed from the wall. The room is sometimes used as a sitting room for an adjacent room. Today it is mine, and it is brilliant. It is at least twice the size of my front room at home, the bed is fine, and I can look out onto the river below. And there's wi-fi.

I lay down and two hours later woke up for dinner. I still hadn't checked into the conference but hey, I'll do that tomorrow. I better join the others in the bar.