On the train from Kansas City (free writing)

I arrived at Union station in Kansas City at 7am this morning. The line for Chicago was already long, with more people adding up as the minutes went by. 

We only boarded the train at 8am, almost 20 minutes behind schedule.

I fell asleep for the first hour or so after becoming comfortable in my seat. How could you not, they were basically reclining chairs. 

Missouri came by fast, along with the first stop for a quick cigarette break. Not for me though, I needed a coffee.

I regret not grabbing a Parisi coffee at Union station, and also not grabbing breakfast in the dining car on the train, so the hell am I going to miss out on lunch!

I got up off my seat, picked up my bag and headed for the dining cart. Disappointed, I saw no patrons. 

Asked the lovely gentleman, clearly from Chicago by the way he spoke, he directed me down stairs to this lonely little dark corner canteen with an impressive menu printed on an A3 sheet of paper - I had no idea you could reheat so many items.

I ordered a Hebrew National hotdog, 100% kosher, with sweet relish and mayonnaise. A cup of coffee with half and half, and a bottle of water. 

She packed up my order neatly in a cardboard box, I gave her my money then walked up to the lounge car to enjoy the scenery. The sides and ceiling of this car were all glass, allowing a vast amount of natural light to beam through, the perfect dining experience especially with the seats facing out wards.

A country man [from Fort Maddison, Iowa] and his son is sitting behind me, talking to an amish couple about gaming [hunting], the labour market and how someone should come up with a country song about a red barn, because everyone likes a red barn. 

However, his knowledge about this land is impressive. He's a well travelled man. He loves pointing out the scenery to us, explaining the geography and the history behind the towns, plains and ridges as we passed them.

There's a few Amish people on this train. Some with young families and some traveling with relatives and partners. Most would do a double take on me. 
Wait till start talking, yep, I'm the funny looking man that also sounds funny, trying to get home to Chicago.

P.s. I highly recommend traveling via rail in America. It's cheap, convenient and you get a chance to relax and take in the lovely scenery. It's a great way to meet people too. 

Washington DC and Kansas City in 5 minutes

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I had the opportunity to experience my first Thanksgiving ever with the most awesome bunch of people on this earth in a beautiful town called Kansas City.
I absolutely loved Kansas City, everything from the food, the people and its industries, which includes world-class-specialty-grade coffee roasters and craft beer breweries.
Not to mention the amazing restaurants, jazz bars and cafés - this place is my idea of paradise.


Also, I spent my birthday weekend in the capital, Washington DC with the most amazing Mallette (whom you've probably read about before in my previous blog entry 'Why Diabetes?') which was absolutely wonderful.
Fun filled with amazing scenery, great food, good coffee, and fun activities like salsa dancing, ice skating and intense games of chess, also including a cute puppy and an espresso machine.

But, instead of words, let me give you a quick preview of my Birthday weekend and Thanksgiving via a YouTube video montage.
Enjoy!

Land of the free

It's two degrees Celsius outside, I'll be seeing Jason Mraz at 8pm, but before then I'll be having dinner with my cousin at this amazing restaurant called Mercadito on Kinzie street, a couple of blocks away from the famous North Michigan Avenue, aka the Magnificent Mile.

I'm actually inside Ghirardelli Chocolate Company having one of the best hot chocolates I've ever experienced. 

I'm happy. I can't explain this feeling, but it feels like I'm at ease. I'm rested. I'm stable. 

Everything makes me smile. Everytime the wind blows and I'm freezing my ass off, I chuckle. When I see a yellow school bus drive pass, I imagine having children of my own. 

Even when I hear the train announcements, I feel as if I'm heading home.

Now don't get me wrong, I love Australia, a lot.
I gave Australia everything in my twenty-five years of service there. I've worked so hard for the land that's girt by sea, and I still have so much more to give. I've had great experiences there, and I've had bad experiences there - Just like anywhere.

It's just that at this very moment, in the land of the free, I'm at ease - my mind, body and soul. 

I don't wake up in physical pain anymore from working so hard to keep the bills paid and the Australian tax office happy. I'm not stressed all the time wondering how I'm going to take my business into the next level so I can stay of top of my game to satisfy my staff and customers, and I'm not caught up in the rat race for once. 

For once, I can be a twenty-something year old, (even though I just turned thirty-one) and I feel like I have so much to catch up on.

So as you could already tell, America is my escape - and it's tempting to just keep running.

I have family here. I have friends here, but most importantly, I have a clean slate here.
I'm a different person here. I'm someone whom I've always wanted to be; relaxed, disciplined, and motivated to build something new. 

Although as romantic as everything may sound, I still have huge responsibilities back in Australia, 

but let me live my fantasy for another two months. 

My feet will touch the ground again soon.

With love and respect.