Oct 11 / Panos

Shopping Spree

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For a change it was me who had breakfast in the morning: right by I-95 was a Dunkin' Donuts, which I had to visit for the traditional Bavarian Creme donut. They are traditional ever since I started going to Space Shuttle launches, where a Dunkin' Donuts store is conveniently located between the space center and the motel. We don't have any Dunkin' Donuts in California, and maybe it's a good thing that also explains a lot. In Maine, you will find a donut store pretty much at every corner. At the same time, people are larger here than in California, maybe even above the already sizable US average. These two observations may or may not have anything in common. At any rate, I left it at the two donuts and that was already sufficient to remind me why it's a good thing to be living at the far coast.

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We arrived in Portland with lots of time to spare, and so we drove through downtown, which looked rather deserted. Looks like people here observe Columbus Day much more so than in California - or maybe the strong, cold wind blew most people off the streets. At least some of those who persevered and could be seen walking around were scantily dressed, in shorts and T-shirts, as if this was summer. Essan & I were nicely ballooned with hat, scarf and jacket. The last task at hand was gift shopping. We raided the same souvenir shop a total of three times, each time thinking of something else for someone else. The store keeper was properly amused, as my neon yellow hat made it impossible to miss me.

At the Portland Lobster Company right in the harbor we had a quick lunch - Essan had a lobster roll, I had a simple hot dog. What a treat. Then we just had to find the airport, which was once again a challenge. The small airport was clearly designed in the pre-9/11 days, as its tiny area designated for security had now to deal with much more stringent checks - causing the line to loop around as usual, plus along the 2nd floor all the way to the back. Someone's toothbrush caused much more alarm than my 50 lbs of photo equipment, which was a welcome change from the usual sniffing and re-sniffing.

Click on the first image to start a slide show for this day (24 pictures)
Images shown below are a small selection.
In slide show, click on image to return to index.

Panoramics stitched with AutoPano Pro 1.3

We landed in Chicago on time and on first attempt, but the pilot did show off his braking and turning skills, virtually missing the "exit" and almost pulling a Stan to make it after all. OK, 1.3 Stan, because I never actually turned more than 90 degrees to make a freeway exit. This excitement had to last us long enough for our 4-hour stay at the Chicago airport; we spiced up the stay by periodically gate shopping. Our gate was not yet posted at the time of our arrival, so we found a pleasing gate with a power outlet (not an easy task), until it became clear that it's too hot and sunny for Essan. So we relocated to another gate, in the shade, also with a power outlet. With the temperature falling I got some extra entertainment when a young Muslim family - with traditional garb etc. - sat down right next to us, and suddenly started talking my in language. I don't know what exactly I did expect, I just know I didn't expect this. Nor would I know where to find traditional Muslim people in my home land, for that matter.

Despite my intrigue with this family it was time to go gate shopping again, as the air conditioning was clearly going ballistic. I was set up for the usual airplane cool, but not for the arctic. So we ended up at yet another gate, with power outlet and sunshine (to thaw me), and set out to buy some beef (read: dinner). I had the traditional and by now mandatory Chinese Gourmet Fast Food, while Essan switched to a strange looking burrito of sorts. Both happy, we contemplated what to do with the remaining two hours. Watching the election mud show on CNN was clearly way too upsetting. How desperate does one have to be to quote the other blatantly out of context?

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