Chicago Photo Diary

I'm going to be honest and hold my hands up - I was a bit worried about going on this trip. It was my first time I'd ever gone on a press trip, the first time I'd ever left the UK on my own, the first time I'd flown on my own and I was going to be spending a hell of time with five people who I'd never met. No matter how many times you google someone, you don't really know them. Funny that. Plus some people just don't get my sarcastic humour - I know, strange right?! I like to think that I can talk the ear off anyone but who knew, this could be the time I'd fail. I camped last year with around 12 people at Glastonbury and only knew three. So although I was thrown into the deep end, I still had someone to cling on to if I got out of my depth.

By the time I'd snuggled into my enormous bed on the first night after a glass of prosecco whilst admiring the Chicago skyline, I knew I had absolutely nothing to worry about. The trip was going to be a corker. I don't think I stopped laughing for the entire eight days. It was one of the best holidays I've had - it's hard to put into words just how much fun I had. In a silly way, I'm so proud of myself that I managed to travel solo without any catastrophes. I didn't even lose my passport! Let's forget about the minor detail that I left my phone charger in a hotel room.

On the first night the bar was set high with a gigantic burger oozing with gooey cheese and sweet bacon, the rest of the trip I just ate and ate. And ate and ate. After a quick mooch around the Harry Caray Sports Museum, we headed for a night cap at the Signature Lounge - a definitely highlight of the trip for me. The view was absolutely stunning. Chicago knew how to win me over!

The next three days were a whirlwind of buying too much make up, eating too much fried food, sore feet and a neck ache from spending too much time looking at the sky. I even took myself over to a neighbourhood known for it's vintage and made it back in one piece. I went to see an amazing band whose lead singer was ironically from Brighton. Just can't get away from those pesky Brits! I battled the crowds to seek out the Bean. I ate a Mexican dish that nearly blew my face off. I attempted a Man Vs Food dish and failed miserably. I went on a boozy dinner cruise around Lake Michigan. I stood 1,353 feet in a glass box overlooking the city with a severe case of jelly legs. I sampled the foodie delights of the city thanks to a culinary tour. God bless the person who invented deep dish pizza.

I only have New York and a day in Washington DC to compare the city too, but Chicago has my heart hook, line and sinker. It's skyline is gorgeous - New York is just tall, tall and tall. Whereas Chicago has so many different, interesting shapes. There's a lot less hustle and bustle and the people seem a lot more friendlier. It's very easy to navigate around the Downtown area and it's a fantastic place to just wander and soak up the atmosphere.

I know the lens of some of my pictures is dirty - I'm kicking myself!