12TH - 13TH OCTOBER

We were up and waiting in the reception area of Calgary’s Best Western by 5.45 am! Our flight to Minneapolis was at 8.00 a.m. and the shuttle transfer was due to collect us by 6.00 a.m. Much to Rob’s horror breakfast only started at 6.30 a.m. so we were definitely wanting to get to the airport in plenty of time so we could grab some breakfast. We managed to find a veggie option which was pretty good and before we knew it, we were wandering down to the gate to get our flight.

The flight was fine and we touched down in Minneapolis at 11.40 a.m. This time we were staying at the Holiday Inn opposite the Mall of America, the biggest shopping mall in the world! Of course this is why we chose this location - not!!! After retrieving our bags we headed outside to get our free shuttle bus, it was at this point that the temperature shocked us to our cores. It was

absolutely freezing, with a howling wind and blizzard! Not quite what we were expecting but bracing none the less. Thankfully we had come from Canada so winter wollies were at the ready. Sure enough after around 15 minutes our shuttle turned up and thankfully was toasted warm inside. We were given a full rundown of the mighty Minneapolis by a very enthusiastic driver and told about the shuttle services to the Mall of America! We both had thought that the motel was opposite this shopping heaven and we weren’t wrong, its just that the motel runs a shuttle service for people who are quite frankly too lazy to walk across the road!

We checked into the motel and the room was fine. After settling in we decided to head over to the Mall of America to check it out and get some lunch. We decided against the shuttle service and braved the ever so cold winds and snow - we were seriously hoping that the snow would