We traveled on the Lakeshore Limited in January 2010 on our way from Los Angeles to Syracuse, NY. The Lakeshore Limited connects Chicago with Boston, MA and New York City, NY. We departed from Chicago en route from Los Angeles aboard the Southwest Chief, which arrived 6 hours prior to our departure from Chicago to Syracuse.

We boarded the train in Chicago's Union Station around 9:00pm. Union Station is a large classic Art Deco train station right in the middle of downtown Chicago. It is both a beautiful building and an inspiring place to board a train. Those with sleeper accomodations have a special lounge with TVs, coffee, juice and larger chairs. Those traveling coach board at the gate in a standard waiting area. After boarding the train dinner was not served the first night, but we were treated to wine and cheese in the dining car.

Accomodation

Southwest Chief

The Southwest Chief is one of Amtrak's longest journey's, stretching from Los Angeles, California all the way to Chicago, IL.

Our Journey began in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Union Station is a gorgious building. It is worth visiting even if you aren't taking a train and served as a great place to start our trip. We checked in 6 bags, each weighing nearly 50 pounds, which was the maximum allowed. We also carried on 2 backpacks, a bag of food and our laptops. The track is announced about 30 minutes before the train is scheduled to depart, 15 minutes after that they will let you board. Coach passengers need to wait in line to check-in, sleeper car passengers who already have their tickets go strait to their train without waiting.

Accomodation

Here is the complete itinerary of our trip to Peru and Bolivia, which included Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and La Paz.

May 14, 2009 (LA)

• Departed Los Angeles at 2.20am (TACA)
• Arrived at Lima International Airport at 3pm
• Overnight at Pay Purix Backpackers Hostal; picked-up from airport. Checked in, walked to store about a mile away for food. Took local bus back.

May 15, 2009 (Lima, Cusco, Ollant & Aguas Calientes)

• Arrived at airport for Cusco departure at 5.30am. Flight was delayed until 9:15 due to fog.
• Departed for Cusco around 9:30am; Arrived at 10.30am (LAN)
• Things to do in Cusco:
  1. Took bags to Hostal Amaru and dropped them off

Over the years we have visited Yosemite, driven through the Rocky Mountains, been up and down the West Coast, enjoyed many days in my hometown of Portland, and of course seen all sorts of exciting things here in Los Angeles. So far my writing in this blog has focused primarily on big international excursions, and I suppose I have taken these intra-US trips for granted, forgetting that our readers outside this region may find some benefit to them as well. I plan to put an end to this international bias.

Starting this coming Friday, we will begin a cross country trip originating in Los Angeles and taking us all the way across the United States to Syracuse, New York. During the trip, I will be writing and sharing photos via my iPhone (there is no Internet on the train). You can follow my progress here on the blog. You will also be able to track where we are on the Look For America Flickr Map.

In a previous post I voiced my opinions about Swatow Lane and how the entire street of hawkers was moved from the street into a modern food court.

The corner where we used to enjoy hot mee goreng and ice cold ais kacang.	Swatow Lane street sign

Of the 5 things I planned to do while in Malaysia, the only one that wasn't possible was drinking teh ais on a corner in little India. This is because the cafe right in the center of little india had closed. A minor inconvenience because there are plenty of places to get teh ais, but none with such a prime location. On the positive side though, the other 4 activities were completed.

Since today is the last day of Ramadan, it seems fitting that I right about the Ramadan Market. For anyone who hasn't had a chance to visit a country with a large Muslim population during Ramadan, the basic ritual is rather simple, Muslims don't eat or drink from dawn until dusk. The times that they stop and start eating are marked by the morning prayer and late evening prayer.

As you might imagine when fasting, life doesn't generally continue as usual. This is partly because the body must make it through an entire day on whatever was eaten in the morning, and also because many Muslims use their time during Ramadan to reflect on life, engage in prayer and visit family and friends.

Here I am wandering along Penang Road after eating an amazing lunch at Hameediyah Restaurant on Cambell Street when I see this sign.

Massage, okay makes sense. But what the hell is that photo on the bottom left? It looks like the guys skin has ripped open in the middle. After looking at it for a few minutes, I still cannot figure out what part of the body that is. Here it is in larger format.

Well, after seeing the photo at home, I finally figured it out. Can you see it?

Just got back from Malaysia after nearly 3 weeks in penang and lots to share. I had hoped to blog from the front lines but I was so busy eating that I hardly ever made it to an internet cafe to write anything, much less download photos. Nonetheless, I have some great reviews coming up of local food and can't wait to share them with you.

Malaysia is one of my favorite places to visit, especially Penang where I am very blessed because I have in-laws in there. This not only gives me an excuse to visit regularly, but an insiders perspective into the best that Malaysia and Penang have to offer. My father in-law especially makes my visits all the more entertaining both with his antics and his choice of the best Penang eateries.

Before each visit to Penang I always anticipate visiting my favourite places, which like most activities in Malaysia, usually involves eating. Here is a list of what I am anticipating for my trip next week.

1. Eating Ais Kacang at New World Food Court on Swatow Lane.
2. Nasi Dalcha at Ghaffour in Sungai Pinang.
3. Relaxing with Teh Tarik on streetside tables in Little India.
4. Walking the streets and touring the heritage houses.
5. Browsing the food stalls at the Ramadan bazaar.

What do you think should be the first thing I write about? Let me know in your comments and I will make sure to write a good post with photos about the experience.

Dan over at www.twortw.com recently asked me "what is on the back of your toilet?". Since I am into this sort of thing I obliged and here is what I wrote.

Read the article What's on the back of your toilet? to see the original post along with responses from 7 other willing participants.

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