unexpected train ride and amazing generosity of a friend

yesterday, i tried to get from chicago to detroit to visit a friend of mine. i left my home town and flew to chicago where i learned (after a four hour wait in line at customer service) that the soonest i would be able to get onto a confirmed flight out of chicago would be in the afternoon on the 22nd (this was all happening laaaate in the night on the 20th.). after many phone calls, i was able to book passage on a train instead. i called a friend of mine in chicago who extremely graciously agreed to pick me up at the cta station closest to his house at around 2:00 in the morning and then slept on the couch so i could have the bed. after about 3 hours of sleep, he then very generously drove me to union station to catch my train on his way to work. i had time to grab some breakfast in the “food court” there, and instead of eating it in the rather smelly holding area by the boarding gates, i chose to eat it upstairs in the grand hall of union station. what a magnificent space and a lovely spot to eat a croissant! plus, someone had abandoned a newspaper, so i had a little something to read and a sudoku puzzle (six stars, i’m still not done with it). the train ride itself was quite pleasant (especially compared to waiting in an airport for a day and a half) and i arrived here with no further mis-hap. cross your fingers for my return trip home!