8 States 8 Weeks Part 1

Before we begin let me just say this is in no way the perfect way to travel the US. I seriously went a back-arse way across the map. Life can go off course. Things don't always go to plan. Sometimes you sleep in and miss a flight. Sometimes 9 flights get cancelled. Sometimes you leave your passport in a Casino.

College had just finished in May (Finally) and I knew I needed a hefty adventure after those four years. Not just a week in the sun or a break away, a big mo-fo adventure. I booked a flight to Boston for the end of August and a flight home from San Fran in November just in time for graduation. I decided to build the trip around these two places (my goodness did it not all go to plan but I'll get to that later). At this time Norwegian airlines were flying to the US with fantastic deals so we flew to Boston for 129 euro with bags and the flight home from Cali was 200. Not bad at all! I won't talk about each day as that'd take far too long. I will however say the pros and cons of each place I visited and the hilarious happenings which unfolded.

Boston, Massachusetts

We're off! Or are we? Flight number one was cancelled multiple times. Our flight from Dublin to Rhode Island had taken off. We were flying for about two hours when the pilot surprisingly said "Right lads the plane is fucked and we gotta return back to Dublin" Or something along the lines of our communication system is down. We arrive back to Ireland with no rescheduled flight. It's 11 PM and all hotels are booked up. However the lovely airline gave us 10 euro coupons for food (Seriously) pity all restaurants were closed. We spent the night on the floor among many other stranded holiday goers. The next day we received a text saying when our rescheduled flight was in a different terminal. We went to said terminal and received a text saying we had another rescheduled flight, back in the first terminal, back and forth we go based on texts off the airline. When we were given our final flight time we just about made it through customs to make our flight. And NOW we're off.

Due to the fact our flight was 24 hours late we missed one full day in Boston. Luckily our booking in the hostel was secured. We stayed in the 40 Berkeley. This Hostel was cheap (20 a night), comfortable, safe and the showers were fantastic. Definitely one of the better hostels I've stayed in. My time inter railing in 2015 led me to many nasty encounters with Hostels. Staying here was a bargain.

My phone broke the morning of our flight to Boston resulting in very few pictures of the beautiful city, hence the picture of cheese and me posing awkwardly in front of a caravan. I really adored this place and safe to say I was gutted our time here was cut short. Aged red bricked houses are dispersed across the city. Cosy family homes surrounded by skyscrapers. Despite the city life, coming across these homes gave the feeling of an escape. Turn one corner you're at Dunkin Donuts and turn another, you're back in your family home.

I did the usual touristy things. Visited museums, Fenway Park, Boston harbour, Harvard square and many an island. Boston is not that big and it's so easy to get around that we walked mostly. There were many Boston conservatory of music buildings scattered across the City. I enjoyed walking around these buildings the most. If you're a fan of music or studied it like myself it's nice to see a college really accommodate their students the way these conservatories have. My time in Boston was short so now it's off to New York we go! 9 quid one way on a bus from Boston to NY. The journey takes around four and a half hours, no time at all!

NEW YORK, new york

This was not my first time in the big apple, nor will it be my last. I frickin love New York and if I could get a visa to work in the states I'd want to live in NY or LA. The last time I visited New York I only spent three days so it was nice to come back and spend 6 days here. We stayed in Chinatown, super close to the Manhattan Bridge, a subway station and little Italy. Chinatown is a great place in NY and there's so much to see. My only regret is not staying in an air bnb. We stayed in a hotel called "The world Hotel". NEVER EVER stay here. Why we booked this horrendous place I will never know. I do recall us laughing when we clicked book because I mean 40 dollars a night to stay in NY? Brilliant. My god though, was it torture. We'd get up around 8 am, leave all day and come home around midnight, just to avoid being in the place. It was noisy, it was filthy and we did not feel safe staying there. There was one bathroom for the entire floor, so filthy in fact I did not shower for 5 days. I'd wipe myself down in a McDonalds with a baby wipe as they had cleaner toilets. Despite the awful hotel, did I say I LOVE New York?

The City is just so full of life. Cute coffee shops on every corner, and even walking in the heavy rain felt so harmonious. This time visiting the Big Apple I of course walked central park almost every day. The pond is beautiful and you can rent rowing boats for an hour or two. It's cheap and fun and a great way to see central park and the city from a tiny boat. Despite getting so little sleep in the wretched hell hole there's nothing I love more than exploring so I had a lovely nap on the green for about 2 hours and was ready to explore the city once again.

There are plenty museums to visit if you're into that kind of thing. I went on this trip with my partner and he of course is obsessed with them. We tried out the Ripley's museum and weren't too impressed. The history museum is a must and the art and intrepid museum are worth the visit.

I am a fashion fanatic so I went into the Vivienne Westwood store and that alone was a work of art for me.

Walking around stores and window shopping was enjoyable. One day perhaps I'll own a piece of hers. I enjoy being myself in new cities and wearing whatever I like. Also it's nice not knowing anyone. Everyone is a stranger. It's calm. No scours, no judgement or perhaps you just don't notice because of the busy hustle and bustle. It's almost as if all the weirdos move together and accept one another. All welcoming craziness.

I visited Brooklyn and went to the botanical gardens. I took the free Staten Island ferry to get a good view of the statue of liberty. Don't waste your money booking tours this ferry is fantastic and you get a great view of the statue and Manhattan! The weather was fantastic so Coney Island was a must. Chocked full of retired men and women eating crisps and rubbing their tummies, clearly the place city goers go to relax. When I first visited New York the 9/11 memorial was being built and closed off. This time however, it was finished. I highly recommend paying it a visit. It's emotionally moving and visually incredible. I'm probably forgetting much about our visit but I can edit it in if I remember. I've been sitting on this draft for an eternity.

One last bagel and cheese and it's onto another bus and another state. Next Stop Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

The bus to DC from New York cost 15 dollars and took five hours. Luckily we had family to stay with in DC. The relief of having a cosy bed and clean shower was just so reassuring. Washington is a working federal city and of course a huge tourist trap. The metropolitan area is very business like with thousands upon thousands dressed in suits most definitely working for the government. I didn't know what to expect from this city. I knew it housed the white house and the Capitol Building, home to the United States Congress. I did not however expect the umpteen museums, the cute American small Towns just a short drive away and the incredible architecture.

First thing I did when we arrived was of course, take a shower!! Warm water is honestly so underrated. Getting around the City was easy enough. Buses and metros used the one card which was reasonably affordable thankfully. New York was quite steep in terms of the subway.

I was a huge fan of Georgetown cupcakes the show. The bakery is in Washington so I got to take a look. Twas gorgeous. We had a look at the White House, a fab building nonetheless I mean I'd live there myself, but let me just say the Capitol Building is phenomenal. We toured this building for hours. Adorned with frescoes, pillars, ornaments and blood sweat and tears. Inside the Capitol is a work of art. A must see, absolutely superb.

The Smithsonian is a group of research centers and museums administered by the US Government. One can visit close to 15 museums and the zoo for free. Many of the museums can be found across the National Mall, which is America's most visited national park. Here you will find the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, the Holocaust Memorial and oh my god the list is endless. This is not a history blog but DC is a concrete jungle of bygone times and we visited not all but most historical buildings and museums in this City. This was not the plan but as I stated previously, my goodness did things not go to plan. We saw Marine One land outside the White House which was pretty cool. The whole street shut down, twas quite impressive.

Miami and Key West were next on our agenda. The plan was to stay in DC for 7 days and catch our flight to Miami. Unfortunately Hurricane Irma decided to pay Florida a visit, resulting in numerous cancelled flights once more. We stayed in DC an extra week. Of course I was gutted as Key West was a destination I eagerly wanted to visit, however it got destroyed by Irma. DC was a beautiful place to be stranded in, it meant we had an extra week to explore the many museums. We had a flight booked from DC to Miami and then one booked from Miami to Austin. Both these flights had been cancelled due to the terrible weather. We had to book a new flight to Austin from DC in the end, which was quite a dent to the pocket as it was so last minute.

Nest stop Austin, Texas baby!

Austin, Texas

So here we are in Texas. My wheels broke off my suitcase here so I began to gain some bulky arm muscle from this point onward. I stayed with a friend from Ireland in Austin so luckily did not have to pay for accommodation once again. My advice to you (if anyone is reading this bar my friend Ema, hello Em thanks for reading) ask around for places to stay. Reach out to family, family friends, friends and friends of friends. The world is big but low and behold sometimes people know people who know people. Couch surfing, cheap hostels and rooms in family homes are also an option. I know it's daunting looking up places to stay, especially in other continents however google will always show you the overpriced stays first. Breathe easy, something reasonable will show up.

Austin is the state Capitol of Texas. Blues, rock and country music pump life into this reasonably small city. We had fun here. I got a chance to hop on stage and sing some Billie Idol, ate some fab fish tacos and pancakes. Walked for miles on the side of a highway to find some BBQ food, to find a rattle snake lurking around my feet. Austin doesn't do the whole pedestrian thing very well. Pavements aren't around unless you're downtown. Everyone has a car. Thank God for Uber. Uber is your best friend if you have no car in the US.

Check out local bars, 6th Street, Rainy Street, South Congress Avenue and the University. The downtown area is not hard to walk thankfully. Once you get a little outside the City that's when it becomes a problem. Countless music shops, music history, food trucks and dainty stores infuse the city with such personality. Many people were eccentric and many were down right country western folk. The fusion of all characters brought this place to life. Texas BBQ, Tex-Mex food, In-N-Out Burger, and countless donuts shops are so easy to come by. The best food can be found from the many food trucks, they are everywhere. Once you leave the city center I highly recommend visiting the many creeks, hiking options, pools and parks. We were lucky enough to find some baby turtles and swim with them.

As I visited 8 states, I do want to keep each section short and sweet. It's so stressful though as I have so much I want to say. Each place had unique characteristics which I adored! Anyways you'll never guess where we go to next...$$$$

See you in part two x