I arrived about 10 at night so stayed at a cheap airport hotel in
Chicago, which I booked through Expedia. The hotel's fax was not
working so they had not received my reservation so I had to call
Expedia when I got to the hotel and get Expedia person to speak with the
hotel person. A prettty cheap hotel.... next door to 'Hooters but
they had a free shuttle to the airport.   The next day the shuttle
dropped me off at the nears blue line train station to take into the
City. I had to transfer at Jackson to the red line to Fullerton and
then find my way to the "Getaway Hostel" in Lincoln Park.   It was a
huge hostel, allowing alcohol, which is not usual, but lots of age range
of people and again with free breakfast, same as Avenue but no eggs!  
As the Chicago Marathon was happening last weekend I could not spend all
8 nights at that hostel so ended up at another one , the HI Hostel on
East Congress, near the Chicago Public Library where I am now.   It is
the biggest hostel in Chicago, with 500 beds! I was in a 10 female dorm
with 8 beds taken, most people were Asian but all very friendly.   Some
were students from China studying at Purdue, Indiana and they came to
Chicago for Columbus Day, which was yesterday and a National Holiday.
Again a free breakfast (no eggs but cheese slices, cereal, toast, fruit
etc.) and with bed/towel/blanket all for $33 including tax. i have 5
minutes left on this computer - I also i am taking Amtrak at 6
p.m. tonight for Harper's Ferry W.V. in the Appalachians. I am staying
at a HI hostel there too. To arrive at 10:15 a.m. tomorrow./ 17 hours
for $74.00 will report more then. Have had a wonderful time in Chicago
- it is an amazing city. Met a couple of people from my dorm to hang
out with a bit.
Went to three Chicago International Film festival films: "The Student" which was a documentary about student life in Argentina, and 'the star' who was unilingual Spanish, attended in person to take questions after the movie, "Top Floor Let Wing" and "Loverboy."  THe latter was the best of the 3, but all seemed like they were filmed with home movie cameras. Might be the new style? I like their transportation system, but was stuck on a train last night for about 10 minutes while driver had to 'fix something'!   Marilyn Monroe's statute is amazing as is the Sears (now
Willis Tower). I took pics but again will have to be uploaded at a later date. will report from Harpers Ferry - i want to do some hiking in the Appalachians.