That’s a rather bold opening hook to this second blog of our US adventure.  But I’ll explain shortly.  

April 4th – Day 2 – Jet-lag.  And a heating system in my otherwise lovely Airbnb that keeps erupting into life just when you least expect it – just when I’ve reached deep-state sleep.  Will earplugs keep the noise out? No chance.  

Okay.  So I head out on my first morning in Chicago for a big breakfast at a highly recommended cafe – Lula’s in Logan Square. That helps.  A cardamom bun to die for. Then a day full of nothing much – acclimatising, checking out where I can buy fruit, and reminding myself I’m not a tourist.

Day 3 – I’m a tourist.  Heading for the wonderful Art Institute – wanting to see the famous Seurat painting that inspired Sondheim’s Sunday In The Park With George.  On the L train, it’s rammed – jam-packed with hundreds of people. Are they also heading for the Seurat? No!  There are placards and banners galore – it’s a ‘Hands Off’ (our democracy) protest downtown and it’s going to be really big, someone on the train tells me.  We’re tempted to join them but our time is limited, so we wish them well when they all get off two stops before the Art Institute, leaving the train empty.

But the Art Institute isn’t empty. Justifiably.