When I arrived at Chicago's Union Station it was as if all hell had broken loose. Hundreds of Americans were beginning their annual pilgrimage home for Thanksgiving (Caitlin amongst them) and I had put myself in the middle of it. It made for trains packed with families, young people and old people - none of whom were interested in travelling, only in getting to their destination.

One minor exception came in the form of Leo, and ex-Naval offiver turned Paralegal now training in Theology with a view to counselling teenagers. Now that's a career path.

I had to change trains on Day 23 and take the fast commuter line from Washington, DC to Philadelphia. Washington station was easily as busy as Chicago had been, but there was a notably high incidence of attractive, business-like, incredibly well dressed, young American women. Know that this would be a full train I felt sure my chances of a conversation with at least one of them!

But it wasn't to be. A well meaning, if well overweight, Swede had singled me out across the platform and wanted to do some traveller bonding over my copy of the Amtrak timetable (which I foolishly had on display in my hands).

We talked Ikea and the importance of money in Western Society. I almost got compensation in the form of a packet of M+Ms, except that I had to get off the train before he made it back from the Cafe Car.