(Recap from Part One: I arrived in the wrong US state as a young 19 year old University with no money trying to surprise a girl from back home.)

Thinking back, I was probably a little worried but so laid back super confident everything was going to be ok. I have to thank my late father for that. My early years he was always saying don’t worry everything will be ok. So I went back to Chicago Airport and was waiting for this magical tri-state bus. This big black radiant lady was controlling the bus area and took an instant liking to me calling me chocolate James Bond and kept asking to say things because of my accent – she was lovely. Thankfully my bus arrived before she mauled me. I told her about my predicament and before I got on she asked ‘Are all people from England dumb?’ – oh man.

On a long bus journey I went. My World atlas map stuck to my bedroom wall did not justify the long distances between US cities. I balanced my way up to to the bus driver and explained my situation…that chuckle and are all English people dumb was the response and he basically said good luck in not so many words. I asked a few other passengers but none could help with getting to Detroit.

I sat down and an angelic voice said hello. I twisted round and this typical looking sweet American girl beamed her smile at me and asked if she could help. When I told her where I needed to go – she yelled ‘I Was Born There!!!!’ – I found my northern star. We had a 6 hour journey and we spoke the whole way about life in Michigan and life in London. We were in awe of each other’s lives. We swapped UK and US coins. She without hesitation said she was going to help. Now I thought that meant what train or coach to get.

No…when we arrived in Ohio City…She dashed off to greet her parents and within 60 seconds I got the biggest hug from her Mum. These guys lived in St Joseph’s, Michigan and instructed me that I come and stay with them. My love for America was cemented then and there.

It so happened that Emily’s parents went through a similar experience when they came to England and were looked after when lost in some village in northern England. An amazing house backing onto Michigan Lake is where i resided for 2 days. Emily took me to a typical American burger joint. Man O Man that burger was the most beautiful thing I tasted and can still see and smell that perfectly formed burger now. So funny that in that moment, a Take That – a British band – song played…how was that possible in this local burger bar….I joked…Emily just glazed over…with the joke.

So a couple of night with this family and Emily’s Dad insisted he drive me all the way to the town I needed to reach. He had to drop Emily to her uni digs but it was another 8 hours round trip for the guy. He didn’t take no for an answer and I was now on a road trip. Another burger and fries down the hatch I said goodbye to Emily – this all American gal had been in the right place at the right time and saved my bacon.

I wish I never lost touch with her and her family. Even with social media I have unable to link up with that family. I would like to meet up with them and repay the kindness and love so rarely encountered in the UK – well in my experience anyway.

They didn’t know it – but they were part of the jigsaw that cemented my future with the person I love…and not enough gratitude can ever be expressed for their help.

(The roller-coasters in America were amazingly scary.)

The flight back to the UK was again simply delightful. I sat next to another American girl…more street but on her way to a life in Germany. She heard my story and loved the cavalier style I just picked up myself up and went to America to chase a girl from home. I stashed all the incredible freebies into my hand luggage and back in London my 1st thought was ‘I’m going back that same summer after I earn some money!!!!’

I then had the most amazing week in New York City staying in a gangster hotel. New York captured my heart. New has so much to it, I will write about the 4 different trips

(I took this shot of the World famous Macy’s store.)

Wanderlust is an overused term but that adventure was a Relentless Challenge way before I created my charity brand. I harness that energy every time I go abroad and I know I will live and breath that energy soon.

Relentless Challenge – Relentless Life