USA March/April 2005 – The text messages

March 8

Heathrow

Claire

Just had a big security check – hope that’s instead of the one in the US!. Had to take off my shoes and empty my bag out – you know how much was in there. It was the furthest gate away too. Well the “active” Claire begins again. – Get home safe – will call when I arrive. In my seat on Virgin already so I can cool down. Love you all lots – see you in San Francisco!! †;D

March 8

Washington

Claire

On the coach thing. There were no shops at the airport to pick up a travel hair dryer, what do you suggest? Flight was great, wasnt full so seat next to me was empty, got to watch my bridget jones and friends episodes. My bag is so heavy this man had to help me get it on my back! Should get used to it though. Text you when im on the metro x x x loads of love x x x

chris_chant

Great – Hostel will help with buying a hairdryer – Washington has shops – George Bush buys all his stuff there – he he  ;D

March 8

Washington

At union station in a queue to sort out my reservations x x

Just sorted all my tickets- taken forever. Few problems- i had to pay $34 in total for my trains into and out of canada as they say my pass doesnt cover canada, i said it did but they disagreed. Also all the trains are booked up from san diego to san francisco around and on the 30th. So bus maybe? x gonna go to the hostel now, i can get my tour sorted tomorrow at the washington monument i think. Might see if i can sort it now. Loads of love x x x

March 8

Washington

8:00PM In the hostel, all checked in, the room is ok got a top bunk. Gonna go to bed now i think, so tired. Txt tomorrow love me x x x x

March 9

Washington

Claire

Just been to Thomas Jefferson’s memorial got my picture with him, waiting for the tour bus for the lincoln memorial next x x

Chris

I thought Jefferson was dead – how did you get your pic with him

Claire

Haha well if it comes to that, i got my picture taken with lincoln and kennedy too. Bit lonely but breathktaking all the same x x x

Chris

Weather forecast good again tomorrow Boo – get those pics

Claire

Will do boo, back at the hostel now for a shower, going out with the hostel people for a wine tasting tonight- wish me luck! Going to the capitol tomorrow then the museums. Dont know if ill have time for the pentagon- saw it from a distance today though. Love you loads, claire x x x x x

March 10

Washington

Claire

Much better thanks just queueing for the spy museum then im gonna book my moonlight tour at the station then im gonna walk down to the capitol then the air and space museum then to the white house then have my tour x x x x

Last night was fun, wine was nice, prefered the sparkling wine to the bordeaux – sorry x x x

Chris
Cool – you wanna call home tonight or tomorrow ?

Claire

Dont think ill be able to phone at a reasonable time for you today so think ill ring tomorrow when i get to boston if thats ok with you both? x x x x

Chris

Sure you little globetrotter

Claire

Hopefully gonna book a night tour of the city x

March 11

Washington-Baltimore-Phili-New York-Boston

Claire

At the station now waiting for my train which leaves at 10.30. My diary is fairly up to date, i havnt done yesterdays yet, but I’ll do that on the train, its a eight hour trip. My bag weighs a ton, i think its increased in weight since tuesday! Love ya loads talk later on x x x

On the train now. Boy these are not like the ones back home. The seats are huge and comfortable. Very impressed! And pleased.

Washington was great, v.walkable and the historical sites were stunning, made me feel quite humble actually. Most people i met were really nice and helpful too. Chatted to a couple of different people, travellers and holiday makers, only met a couple of brits, suprised that im on my own †;D xxx

Chris

Weather looking bad in Boston when you arrive – use a cab.

Claire

Just gone thru baltimore. I’ll look out for NY- and say “see you on monday”! And Ill try and get a cab that last bit x what time do you think ill arrive in boston? x x x x

Chris

18:20

Claire

Oh well, nice to sit back and chill out, had a very busy day yesterday. Got my post cards to write too. Not been eating great, will make more of an effort from now on. Feeling fine thou, just a bit tired x x

Claire

Im bored, what you up to? x

Chris

Mum watching Red Nose stuff me surfin – about an hour 20 before you get in right – hows the weather lookin – how was NY – any pics ?

Claire

Yeah thats right. Didnt manage to get any pictures more or less a white out over the city. Snow on the ground and roof tops out the window. Gonna go to bed when i get to the hostel i think, really tired x x give mum a hug for me x x x

Chris

Will do – text when you arrive – tomorrow weather is dodgy Sunday much better

Claire

Will do. Hope youre right, the weather doesnt look very nice it’s snowing here looks quite Christmasy †:). Think im gonna do some museums & maybe the aquarium 2morow quite like 2 try & get 2 Salem [url]http://www.salemweb.com/[/url] on sunday if i can, its a bit out of town, so im gonna ask about it xx

March 12

Boston

Chris

14:00 UK (09:00 US EST) I rang Claire – she was still in bed – whispered she would ring back – then I got this text:
Claire

Sorry boo, ive been up for a bit but the girls in my room are all still asleep.

They’re not happy with me already as when i went to the loo earlier i couldnt get back in- my key wouldnt swipe so i had to knock and get one of them up- ahh!

Just sorting myself out as quietly as possible. I’ll speak to you soon, love you boo x x x

PS I was in my p.j’s infront of a hallway of others – very amusing! x x 

Chris

Hehe

Claire

I thought that’s what you would say!

Claire

On a trolley tour of Boston, gonna hopefully stop off at the Boston tea party. Gonna catch the train to Salem [url]http://www.salemweb.com/[/url] tomorrow and get a taxi to the museum there. x x

Claire

Really nasty outside, had to keep wiping the windows down on the trolley tour. The boston tea party museum isnt gonna be open till next year at the earliest. So im at one of the stops on the tour- “the new england aquarium”. Gonna go have a fish dinner across the street in a bit. Then ill probably go back to the hostel, its just not the right kind of weather for site seeing. Gonna catch the train to salem tomorrow, maybe stop off at that skywalk in the afternoon as its too rainy and snowy to get a good view today. So ill text you when im back at the hostel. Love you loads x x x x

March 13

Boston/Salem

Claire

Good morning! Weather looks a bit brighter today, just gonna brush my teeth and then I’m off to salem.

Will be catching the 9.35 to new york, but an hour or so doesnt matter to me. Maybe I have to get the slower trains? I’ll have to look into that one.

Hows your day so far? Im really sorry mum about signing off like that on the computer, having a few teary moments from time to time, just want to keep them to a minimum. Love you both so much- big hugs x x x x x

I’m on the shuttle bus that links the subway to the rest of its stops. I get off at north station where I’m planning to catch a train at 11.30 to Salem. Not going to back too late again tonight, gonna do some emails, more of my diary and some washing x x

Well I’m back at the hostel now, just put my washing in, im a bit scared to tell you the truth hope it all comes out alright. Sure it’ll be fine. When ive finished with my washing and drying im going to go on the net again if thats alright.

Do a few more emails and do more of my diary. Had a weird kind of day, salem was cool but the museum was tiny. Been thinking of you both lots, cant wait to see you! Love me x x

Claire by email

Got your email about Dan, and have put his number into my phone, maybe you could text me if he replies to that second email, as may not have a chance to check my mail before New York tomorrow.

Thanks for the seattle site, will have a look in more detail next time I’m on the net.
Love you loads boo and mum, thanks for all youre doing back home.

Excited about New York tomorrow.

Did my washing earlier – was right to worry, not so much about the washing – that part was fine it was the shrinking of the tops in the dryer!! -on the too high a heat that was the problem

Ahh well its all part of my passage I guess, got to learn somehow!

Lots of love, nighty night, your

Claire x x x x x x x x x x  x x

March 15

New York

Chris

Today I left my daughter in the trusted hands of someone I know well (we’ll call him Dan for convenience)

Dan was to take Claire out for the evening in Manhattan – What follows is a series of texts received from Claire during the evening – they are reproduced here faithfully the spelling is actually how they were received….

Claire

Hey dad, in a pub with dan, you were right he is a bit f a geek, but a really nice one. Having an interesting time. Cant wait to see you all x x

Slightly later…

Bit weird actually, but maybe thats the wine talking, dont think im going to have any more. Going right to my head, only on my fourth glass but then i always did take after mum in that way. Back to the hostel soon x

Later still…

Must admit im not eding stagght o if this doesnt make sense i apologise. But ‘ve just been out with dan, got back to the hostel ok, sorted myself out just about, but the room hrs spining. Dont know what im gonna do eggst thing tomorrow but i know i wyill be delimi roads by them so hull be ok. Haunt had that much but must have defeated of more than usual. Lugu t.ou.’t ‘d text to gay . I love you x x

Chris 9AM EST

Wakey wakey little misss hangover

Claire

How did you know?

Chris

Read your last text to me sent yesterday !

Claire

Oh my god! Im sorry. Thats probably one of the worst that ive ever written. Oh dear. Oh my head hurts. Think im gonna have to go for the four o’clock cruise ride instead of the ten o’clock somehow. Maybe ill go down to battery park this morning, go on the staten island ferry. Maybe walk up her depending on the queues and how i feel. Then do the empire state then the harbour cruise then the marriott marquis tonight.

Chris

And the moral of the story is……..

Dan

Wow!  I had no idea you were feeling dodgy.  I had a bit of a sore head this am, but nothing too bad.

Moral of the story is one of the following, Chris:
- Never go out with anyone called, for the sake of convenience, Dan
- Realise that when you go travelling, you drink less often, so get drunk quicker

I feel bad now, although I’m pretty sure I wasn’t forcing the wine down your neck

17 March

Niagara Falls

Here we go again! Off to Niagara falls! Please text me if you can, im spending over eight hours on this train and id love the company x

Wow! This is not like the new york hostel! Only four guests here! Its a house! Run by a couple. The husband picked me up and the wife checked me in. The other guests are male so i have the girls room to myself! All very different to what its been like so far and i expect what it will be like the next couple of times.

18 March

Looking at Niagara Falls, on the american side. Quite amazing, all frozen up around it though. The river is. Gonna see the canadian side in a moment x x x

In canada x x falls look so much better from this side! Big hugs x x

At the Skylon Tower. Having dinner in the revolving restaurantover looking niagara falls. †

Back safely at the hostel, had a great day. Will phone tomorrow night when i get to toronto. Dont know quite what im going to do about my trains being so close together but ill ask tomorrow at the station. †Love always, claire x x x x x x x

Chris

It may be the same train – just change No.s

Claire

You were right i stay on the train, but all the train staff, driver etc… Get off and change and the train number itself changes. All a’ok! Hope youre having a nice evening, love you.

19 March

Heading to Toronto

Finally on the train! Yay! On the road again! Big hugs x x x x x x

March 19/20

Toronto

Claire

Arrived Toronto all safe and sound at the hostel. In a room to myself so far, with its own toilet and shower! Wow. Text u tomorrow, nighty night x x x

Good morning good morning! How are you two this morning? Just having breakfast at the hostel, then going on a walking tour with the hostel too. Gonna find out about going to see a Basketball game or an Ice Hockey match.

Its march madness at the moment which means everyone has gone basketball crazy! Were you thinking of us going to one? Cos ill try and go to the other one of the two if you wanted one in particular? Loving you loads x x x x x x x x x x x

Chris

Sounds great – you do which ever you want – Mum and I are @ Netley basking in summer sun @ 19 degrees – Your weather better tomorrow save the tower for then.

You can get an HI discount make sure you go to the top and do the glass floor- have the clocks changed? -

Get the book digital photography for Dummiesl

Claire

19 degrees?! What! Hmm. Oky doky, text you soon have great days my parents x x x x x x x x x x x

I was told that my walkin tour was to begin at ten, but this morning apparently it begins at eleven.

I had an hour to kill, so i went on the net for a bit. Had a look at my pictures that you downloaded, thank you so much for doing that boo.

Then i saw my forum with those text messages on that i sent to you with dan http://osirra.com/index.php- ahhhh I read his emails to me too.

Really quite embarassed oh well, least we’re all laughing about it all. Hope youre havin fun u two, love me x

Chris

Hehe – people from all over the world have given Dan stick – he now has a link from his site to yours – hohoho

Claire

NoNoNoNo- oh I’m no longer quite embarassed I’m so so so embarassed! I know thats not how you spell it but thats how i feel! Ahhhhhhhhh! x x x x

Well ive got all the way down to where they are selling the basketball tickets and the only ones left are costing $95 canadian. Think i wont be seeing basketball here. And apparently the ice hockey guys are on strike. Have to find something else to see x x

Gonna go to the Royal Ontario Museum instead, looks very cool! Just hope its open, gonna ring now x x
Gonna do them on wednesday i think. Hopefully it’ll be a morning thing, so i can get back for midday, chill out do the camera shop then go to the airport x x

They are not playin- on strike, least the professionals are

Just spoke to the park, rebecca said its totally cool about seattle, and shes spoken to her mum and said i can stay with her! Gonna email her the details nearer the time! All good x x x x x x x x x x

Sitting at the top of the CN tower, just ordered a salad and a drink. What a view! So cool! Walked across the glass floor which granddad wouldnt have liked one bit. Made my tummy turn over. Bought a photo of me taken from above over the glass floor. Couldnt have got it otherwise. How are u? Sorry about yesterday, weathers better today going to see the harbour next then do my shopping x x x x x

Ok boo. Just havin some breakfast before i head to the station. Trains at 9.40. Cant wait to see you all, its gonna be a brilliant holiday boo boo x x x x x x

Ahhhh on the train bags still getting heavier everytime. Gonna make sure its A LOT lighter for the next part of my trip. Hope ur days going well xx

Yeap, will do, just checking out what to do in Chicago. Bit later can you let me know what the weathers doin, which day would be better spent outdoors, if any. Cos thought about doing a tour and going up the sears tower. But then there are some museums that i wldnt mind visitin. So so soon dad and you’ll be on holiday and i wont be bugging you with txt messages love you boo xxxx

Think ive got a taxi. Rang the company and he’s taken my number, said fifteen minutes. Txt you again when in the taxi and on my way x x x

On the train, all sorted, not got a double seat thou oh well cant have it all x x

Just woken up at a stop the people that have just got on really dont get that weve been here ALL night. But only an hour after the journey began people got off so i got my double seat. Dont know what time we get in though, when i asked she said she’d come back and tell me but i think shes forgotten. Got a bit of a headache

24-25 March

Chicago

Arrived at the hostel. Cant be doing with wasting time with a shower etc im just gonna go straight out again. Weathers dry so thats the main thing i guess. Someone else is in my bed and the room is a tip- but only here for two nights not three. Right im gonna go see some of Chicago! Wish me luck x x x x x

Good, not really feeling brilliant. But ok. Walked all the way up to the visitors centre to ask about a few things – one being seeing the chicago bulls. She told me they were playing tonight and where i could see them and where i could get tickets so all excited i went to get the tickets and found that they are playing but not at home. No other sporting events happening either. But chin up and on to another thought. So ive got a ticket to see a show 2nite

Its called menopause and its a musical. So im gonna go to the museums this afternoon then see the musical tonight. Ring up about going to see jerry springer. Go and see the sears tower and then go to a jazz club tomorrow night called the back room. So there we go. Disappointed about the bulls but its just the way it goes. Just stopped off in starbucks for a pick me up then im off walking down to the museums. Love you boo x x x

Well im at the planetarium at the moment, all the public phones so far have not been able to recieve incoming calls boo.

Just having a tea in my favorite place. Been up the sears tower, very cool, its a nice sunny day but once at the top its a bit cloudy so couldnt see the next states shame. But last night was so incredible, the play/musical was hilarious. Was laughing the whole way through, mum would have loved it! Idid! X

Chris

Have found an amazing cross stich shop The Cross Stich Place 6154 West Higgens Road – Norm says they are 20 mins out of downtown on the CTA train Blue Line towards O’Hare international Airport – get off at Jefferson Park Station and get a cab the last mile – their phone no is 00 1 773 631 8802 – he knows you are coming – they open at 10:30AM

Sears which is 4 Blocks from the Hostel sells SD cards in the electronics dept 256mb cards for $54 or a 512mb for just $65!!! – the guy I spoke to “Britton” says you can try the 512mb in the camera to check it works before you buy it

Claire

Fantastic! Thats amazin dad thanx. Think ill go2 sears first bcos hopefully they’ll open earlier. Can get to the blue line fairly easy so thats great. Problem is the net is down here, so dont no if im gonna b able 2get on it. Gotta sort out where to put my bag wen i check out as well. The club was good, but i got lost three times trying to get there. Felt quite weird being on my own too. U get looked at ALOT! Only stayed for 2hrs, back safe now. Love me x

ive got my card- big 1! $70. Wks gr8. Got down here got my crossstitch, v.nice guy. Gonna get the bus bk2 the subway- hopefully, not exactly in the city nemore!

All puffed out, got to the station. Train doesnt leave till 3.15. Cant c ne guides around newhere. Wen i get some energy ill ask. Cant wait 2 cu not long now xx

26-27-28 March

The Amtrak South West Chief Chicago to LA 2200 miles

Ok well i couldnt get a guide. So ill have to just enjoy it without one. Had a little lie & moved myself to a seat alone. No power supply at my seat though

Apparently there should be a power supply a couple of cars down, seated on the upper level! We can have a sit down meal- have to make reservations! is that what it is?! Its that far!? X x x x X

Oops just finished dinner, back at my seat now. Paid by card, didnt tip on the receipt, under the influence as had some wine with dinner, just put two dollars down as a tip, realising not nearly enough. Oh dear! Feel really bad about it. How can i go back!? I cant! Maybe i shouldnt go back tomorrow, maybe i should just get sandwiches etc…. From now on. Ahhh hate this grown up business sometimes! Thinking and planning and making decisions for myself! x x

God im such a light weight, only half a bottle of wine and im feeling like this, definately know who i take after. Wish it was more in other ways though! xx

Dad

Sort it at dinner tomorrow

Claire

But they mite remember me & spit in my food! i cant see anything at the moment its all dark gonna be great views tomorrow though. Nice people @ dinner x

Well all that gr8 scenery- hmm- just mist snow & more snow,so far neway! Just wait &c wot turns up outside the window. Rough nite, not lookin 4ward2 another 1 x

Cool! In colorado at the moment, not hilly here though. Going through the south of the state. Speak to u soon. Hope all is well @ home. So soon boo cant wait! x

Dinner was lovely last night, had salad, then salmon, then choc dessert, had to sit with a family, nice people. Wine was lovely. Managed to get some sleep, not exactly comfy but its all an experience. Feel quite dirty gonna get some stuff out my bag and get cleaned up. Hopefully ill be able to charge my ipod in the bathroom thing, while im gettin sorted. Ne idea wot time i get in tomorrow @ La? What time my train out of there is? Wot time i arrive? x x

Great ill try and be up for the sunrise, cross stitch is fantastic. Really pretty snowy scenery- skiing on it with you all soon! Seats are comfortable x x

All ok, had some nice lunch, sat again with some interesting people. Feeling so sleepy today been nodding off, gonna have a bit more of a nap now. Still snow xx still looking like a complete mess but starting not to care, or is that the sleepiness talking. Hmmm. Not long now. Thinking of you both,big hugs

Gonna be exploding with excitement when i get there tomorrow, well maybe after i check in and have had a SHOWER! So dirty ;-( x x

Bored and missing my family, ipod has run out of battery, gotta find somewhere to charge it. Not gonna be easy, gonna take a while

Nothings happening yet. Might go down and get a cuppa x x

Just came back from a fantastic dinner, the food was good (obviously what i normally concentrate on) but the company was delightful. An american family from chicago off to LA, talked to me all through dinner, really included me in their conversation, really cheered me up from my loneliness earlier xx

Too late for the photos but they did take my web address, made a joke about mentioning them in a book about my travels, and i said well i have got a website and they said they must have it. Not really in a position to do photos. Dining car isnt very big, kind of sways a bit too back at my seat now x x.

Chris

Try and find them – take a photo

Claire

I’ll try, its a big train & they arent in coach the sleepin cars are @ the other end of the train. May c them @ the station thou. Cant wait 4 my own family x x

Dad

Morning – is it sunrise?

Claire

Yes it is boo and its about to be beautiful x x x

About 15 minutes from LA now. Oh i want a shower and a hairwash! Hopefully get the 9.40 to San Diego, hoping so so so much that i can check in when i get there. Ive written 2 o’clock in my book with my hostel details as the time for check in, so i hope thats right or its earlier. Happy Easter family xxx

28 Mar

Pacific Surfliner LA to San Diego

No way. I look, feel and smell absolutely horendous. Im going straight from the station to the hostel and im waiting there till two in a corner until i can check in and have a shower. Then i will quite happily go anywhere for you boo x x x x

In a queue at the gate for the 9.40 to san diego! So only have an hour to wait at the hostel hopefully x havin a good easter? X

Still on the train, gonna be on here for another 40 mins i expect. Stuck next 2 this guy a little 2 talkative 4 my liking and the way im feeling this morning. I’ll ask all the questions when i get there about the zoo and the mexico trip. Give you a ring or find one that takes calls when im waiting too x x

San Diego California
 
Here, cant check in till two but ive found the internet- woohoo  
 
So what time is it over there? Ten or eleven?  
 
Because i thought it was ten but the computer said eleven. So do you want me to call? Or wait till tomorrow? Up to you? In my room, all nice, good to have a base again. So shall i go find a phone? x x x  
 
Looking at a black and white bear!  
 
How about on wednesday i go whale watching?  
 
Just seen your favorite- the koala x  
 
Weird feelings being here, seeing the lions and elephants, dont know quite how i feel. I just know i want to go back to Zimbabwe.  
 
Sorry so what time is your flight? And what time do you land my time? Had a fantastic day at the zoo then came back had a shower went out for dinner then went to the cinema, watched a romantic comedy with will smith very very funny, didnt even care that i was on my own, until it was over then no one to talk about it with. So are you all ready? Getting excited? How are you getting to the airport? Leaving the car there? So tired, sea world tomorrow then x x