Wednesday 11th April - East Harford
Am absolutely knackered!

As predicted, after about an hours sleep, I was wide awake. I did drift off to sleep again, but it was very fitful.

Up at 0500 to get my shuttle to the airport. Good humour was partially restored by the provision of free coffee by the hotel. It seems most hotels in the States that I go to do this - a complimentary pot of hot coffee in the reception area. It can't cost much, and it is such a nice gesture, why can't hotels in the rest of the world do it? So while I was checking out and then waiting for the bus, I managed to gulp two cups of restorative coffee - marvelous!

Arrival at the airport provided another contrast between UK and the States. Check in was painless, security was tight but the guys doing the checks were polite, friendly and efficient - the complete opposite to the surly people at LHR. Yet another contrast - we had a delay and the gate staff explained everything and told us what was what.

While I was sat by the window waiting for our airplane to arrive, I looked longingly at Phoenix in the distance. I spent a month here in 1992 and it was wonderful. I had hoped to have a couple of days rediscovering the place, but my plans changed hence my departure some 12 hours after my arrival!

A lot of people seem to dislike America and Americans these days. I can perhaps understand that, but to all those detractors, I would say go and see the place and meet the people before judging them.

Wherever you go here, you can't help but bump into friendly, helpful people. They are just dying to either help you or just be generally nice to you. When our plane finally left for Pittsburgh, I found myself next to an old lady. By the time we were airborne (15 minutes after leaving the gate) I felt as if I had known her all my life. It was exactly the same at Pittsburgh while I was waiting for my connecting flight. I found a bar to eat some dinner, and within 5 minutes was involved in a not too serious conversation on the poor old Pittsburgh Penguins (an Ice Hockey team who were getting a beating last night) with 3 other guys. This sort of thing just wouldn't happen in the UK.

So, anyway, after a few hours in Pittsburgh, I caught another plane and arrived in a bitterly cold Hartford at about 2300. I have spent the last 2 days flying and am now exhausted. Jet lag or not, I suspect I'll be sleeping well tonight!