Day 0 - London to Chicago (October 10th)

So here I am – waiting at T3 gate 32 for my flight to Chicago to start boarding. Cab arrived at 07.30 and after saying bye to Sandy, Mika and Rafi I was on my way to LHR T3.

I am going into this trip with mixed emotions. It’s going to be tough not seeing Sandy and the boys for two weeks – and I thank Sandy for giving me the time out to go and do this trip. On the other hand is sheer excitement to live a dream of driving the Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica.

I wonder what the road will bring me. I am going into this trip with no expectations and a very rough plan (and that’s only for the first few days)! I wonder what type of people I will meet along the way – what kind of landscapes and changing weather I will experience. Most of all, I am doing most this trip alone – it will be a challenge but one that I am so looking forward to. My only deadline is that I must board my return flight from Los Angeles at 21h on 25/10/11 – and make it home in time for Diwali on the 26^th!

Okay, we are now being called to board the plane. Signing off for now…

Flight was pretty uneventful and quiet – just the way you want it to be. There were only 80 passengers onboard – the plane holds over 260!

Picked up the car and got to Chot’s place for 16h30 – getting lost a lot of times along the way (I forgot to take Suneil’s GPS so must buy one tomorrow before hitting the road).

Now it’s time to go out and check Chicago. Chot is going to show me the sites and I get to meet Kristen for the first time!!

After sightseeing a little and getting caught up in a protest, we went up (add building name) to have some cocktails over some amazing views of the city. Kristin, Chot and I then hit a steak restaurant (Gibsons) and had the best steak I have ever had – could only eat half though!!

We then headed to watch the Chicago Bears football game (they lost!) and it all went down hill from there – Nirav also joined us for a little.