Do you want to go to the Seaside?

Charleston was my first stop in a regional city and it was a great change of pace. That’s not to say its a shanty ghost town or anything, but taking a break from sky scrapers and pedestrian malls was refreshing.

Located in the lower half of South Carolina, Charleston is a seaside town but even spending a weekend there, you get a sense that it is an up and coming city with plenty of construction and works going on whilst still maintaining it’s boutique charm. Named after King Charles II, it came at no surprise that most of the action was on King Street. Spanning all the way from Downtown to the waterfront harbour, King Street displays the more commercial side of Charleston, however down a tree covered alleyway lies Gateway Walk; a garden path that connects four of the cities oldest churches (yeah there’s more than four) as well as a cemetery that dates back to the 1800s.

Around town, Charleston is abuzz on weekends with markets and street vendors peddling just about everything from fresh produce and hand-made crafts to dog-wear which seems to be big in the South. Nostalgia is also present in the streets as horse-draw carriages lead tours around the most historical parts of town, including Rainbow Row as these waterfront houses have been up for over 100 years. Further inland, houses littered with porch front swings and American flags line the streets in a Stepford like fashion, as it becomes more apparent that the two main demographics of Charleston are the retired middle class and students.

As you heard further downtown, closer to where I was staying, the city starts to show a bit more soul with hole in wall eateries and boutique fashion spots which never look too busy, but this is all apart of the charm of Charleston. Although just for the weekend, my first taste of the South was full of flavour, and whilst it may not have been too diverse it was fun to see America in a more intimate manner.

In the streets of Downtown Washington DC, I’ll keep on walking.

Who needs a selfie stick when you’ve got really long arms

As the democratic capital of the western world, it is easy to think of DC as being straightedge and placid, however underneath the political surface lies an underbelly of entertainment and culture.

My trip to Washington started off with an impromptu show, as New Orleans local Benjamin Booker was playing a show a few blocks down from where I was staying. Combining his mastery on the guitar with soulful melodies, Booker engaged the intimate crowd (and by intimate I mean it was obvious I was there alone) from the get go, swooning his audience with his earthy vocals. At 23, Benjamin Booker as the potential to be this generation’s Ben Harper, and that’s a huge compliment coming from me. You can enjoy a sample of what I experienced below.

Having experienced the present day, it was time to relive DC’s past and as the nation’s capital there is quite a lot to see. My first stop was 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, as I stumbled upon The White House by mistake, and although it was an obscured view from a distance, it was still quite exciting to see it in person. The National Mall is home to a number of attractions, starting at the west end at The Lincoln Memorial, a walk up the mall takes you past The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, along The Reflecting Pool (see Forrest Gump when Jenny runs to him), The WWII Memorial, The Washington Monument and finally the US Capitol and supreme Court. In the parklands in between all these sites, people spend their lunch breaks doing all sorts of things, including competitive extreme frisbee matches which seem to be pretty big in DC. Having taken in all the monuments and their importance, it was time for a bit of downtime, so what does a 21-year-old guy travelling alone do? Attends a lecture at the Supreme Court of course!

Washington is also home to countless museums scattered around the city, however what makes them even better is a lot are free! The National Air and Space Museum showcases the USA’s endeavours of flying, both in this atmosphere and outer space, which is really interesting, however it can become a bit one-sided to the point where you think people will start to chant USA USA.The National Museum of Natural History is very similar to that of the one in NYC, however I did hear an American remark at a Koala exhibit “Do you think like, all Aussie’s have these as pets? Just in a tree outback?”. A slightly more sophisticated exhibit was the of the National Portrait Gallery, which current show case includes Presidents of America, however I was disheartened to learn you only get a portrait once your term is over, so sadly no Barack this time.

One the other side of town, mostly situated on U Street, is where you’ll find the nightlife earlier eluded too. With countless bars and music venues, as well as late nice eateries, North Washington provided the perfect breakaway from politics as the younger sibling of DC certainly knows how to have a good time. Having taken in the North East, I’m going back down south now.

In West Philadelphia born and raised…

Philadelphia is best known for their Cheese Steaks and being the home of the Rocky Steps, but as I learnt from my weekend where it is always sunny, there’s a lot more going on in Phily.

Like Boston before it, Philadelphia is proud of its involvement in the American Revolution, with its prized possession being the Liberty Bell. As a symbol of universal freedom, the Liberty Bell sits in the heart of Philadelphia’s historic region, guarded by the Independence Visitor Center and National Constitution Center, as this part of “Olde City” is a showcase of the regions significant place in history. Just south of Olde City is a more recent part of Philadelphia’s history in The Magic Garden; a three-story mosaic folk art master piece. Attracting tourists and hipsters alike, Magic Garden is situated on a typical block on South Street which is apart of its appeal, as it obscurity reels just about any passer-by in. Whilst it is gaining more attention by the day, a very famous set of steps lay in the on the other side of town.

As the gateway to the city, The Philadelphia Museum of Art is an impressive piece of architecture in its own right, however the steps leading to it are famous for two reasons. Firstly, the view from the steps is straight down Benjamin Franklin Parkway where a tree covered boulevard leads all the way to City Hall. Secondly, the Italian stallion Rocky Balboa ran up these stairs in Rocky, and a statue of the character sits alongside. One of the attractions down Benjamin Franklin Parkway is Love Park; a statue of LOVE with a backdrop of a pink fountain in the CBD where couples and lonely backpackers alike come appreciate the simplicity of all, whilst in the middle of a busy city. Just across the road is Logan Square, where the Swan Memorial Fountain shoots water up out of the ground which is good fun for kids, and provides a great picture for tourists.

I spent the most of my time in Olde City in the South of Philadelphia, as the region is full of bars, cafes and parks so much so that it is easy to forget that just a couple of blocks north is the busy city. One particular bar, Mac’s Tavern, is an Irish bar and features on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, however on one Saturday night in particular, Mac’s was packed as the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame went down in a close college football game. Whilst we were only there for the end of the game, it was rather exciting to be apart of an ecstatic crowd all rooting for the same team. Philadelphia provided a number of memorable moments, including being followed by a meth-head named Chris, however despite this unfortunate run in, my time in Phily was very enjoyable even if it were just for the weekend I mean, what’s not to love about Philadelphia? Oh, and if you haven’t guessed by now, all my headings are song lyrics in one way or another.

I’ve had dreams of Boston all of my life, Chinatown between the sound of the night

When I was in New York, someone asked me which US city Melbourne was most alike. Whilst I didn’t have an answer at the time, I’m confident in saying that Boston reminds me a lot of Melbourne, which probably shows how much I loved my time there.

Boston is rich in three major areas; history, education and sport. Located just north of Boston’s CBD, the city of Cambridge is home to world-renowned universities such as Harvard and MIT. As America’s first college, Harvard is home to some of the oldest and well-preserved buildings in the country which is what makes it not just university but also a major tourist attraction. However as you walk around Harvard Yard, it’s hard to split the two as everyone is wearing some form of Harvard apparel. The grounds itself were covered in leaves as “Fall” was well and truly in season which gave some points of interest such as the statue of John Harvard and the Harvard Library an appropriate setting. Also in Harvard Yard is the worlds only Curious George shop. While this not sound like much, I was about as about as excited as the six-year-old boy who burst into tears upon entry. Although I did not get a chance to visit some other colleges such as North Eastern or Boston University, it is clear that there is a strong student presence around town, among other things.

Boston is one of only a few US cities that is home to a team for all four major sporting codes, and aren’t they proud of that – it doesn’t take long to walk past someone wearing a Bruins, Celtics, Patriots or Red Sox cap. Right in the heart of the city is Fenway Park – home to the Red Sox for over 102 years and the unofficial heart of the city. Fenway Park is now a national heritage listed site and it is easy to understand why, with all the history and spiritual meaning inside, a tour of the grounds gives you a full understanding to how the modern city has grown with and around its baseball team. A short train ride away is TD Gardens – home of the Bruins and Celtics but also home to the New England Sports Museum. Displaying every pennant won by the two teams, TD Garden is Meka for any Boston sports fan as not only are teams honored but also New England locals such as Rocky Marciano and Nancy Kerrigan. I was also fortunate enough to visit the basketball Hall of Fame in Springfrield, which honoured legends of the game and also displayed how the sport has evolved over the past century and became a prevalent part of society. The sport-based visit was topped off when I made the trip down to Foxborough and saw the New England Patriots beat the New York Jets. This was something I had dreamed of doing for years, however it was so much better than I ever imagined.

Before I left for the States, everyone was telling me how nice American’s were, and that was proven completely true by Bob & Janice; a retired couple living in West Massachusetts. Through a family connection, Bob and Janice made my feel right at home even though I was actually 17,000 kilometers away. Apart of my time with them was spent visiting the Concord History Park, a commemorative site marking one of the key battles of the American revolution. My history lesson continued in Boston as I walked The Freedom Trail – a 16 stop journey through historical Boston, as each spot commemorates a significant moment in the revolution. Not only this, but the trail is also a great way to take in as much of Boston as possible, starting in picturesque Boston Common, going through Downtown, North Town and ending in Charlestown. Even though I got caught in the rain, the walk showed me sides of Boston I otherwise would have missed and is a very easy way to learn about the history of Boston. With all the significance and stories behind Boston, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it may stuck in the past, but this is certainly not the case. While the city wears its history as a badge of honor, Boston’s modest city skyline and vast entertainment scene show how even a city as old as Boston, there is always something new to-do. Next stop; Scranton WHAT? The Electric City!

I’m out that Brooklyn, now I’m down in Tribeca

After what seemed like a months worth of flying, I finally made it to the city that never sleeps and true to its reputation, New York was alive and pumping at 11pm on a Monday night. However I was headed to Manhattan’s east neighbour, Brooklyn, where I was staying during my time in NYC.

With so much to see and do in New York, it’s hard to know where to start so, I spent most of my first day walking the streets of Manhattan, picking out different sights and attratctions as I spotted them. I found this a great introduction to the city, as while the subway may be the quickest way around and tourist bus’ are the best way to see all the attractions easily, walking gives you the freedom to go where you like. It’s also a great way to find some hidden gems not heard of such as Bryant Park in midtown which has a twilight food market and Washington Park with a fountain that you can sit in. As nice as these places are, you hear about places like Central Park for a reason.

Firstly, Central Park is huge. Massive. 770 acres massive which makes it impossible to be able to see absolutely everything and would take hours just to walk around. So instead, I chose to ride around Central Park, which is a great way to see a fair majority of the park including fountains, the ice skating rink and many green fields. Another cool part about Central Park is that two of the major museums, The Met & Museum of Natural History, sit on opposite edges, so in a day of taking in some culture, a stroll right through the middle of the park is a great way to go from one spot to the next. The third major museum, MoMA, is quite interesting, especially for someone like me who knows nothing about art, as not only do you get to see orignal Warhol and Van Gough, but also some more contemporary pieces. With all this walking and riding you do get hungry so it’s luckily there’s a food cart on every corner.

The image at the top is the view from the Rockefeller Plaza building and it is incredible. Giving you a view on one side of Central Park and Uptown Manhattan, and on the opposite Downtown Manhattan, including looking directly at The Empire State Building. The Empire State offers 360 degree view of New York, seeing far out to Jersey, Brooklyn, Harlem and of course, greater Manhattan. Both views are fantastic in their own right however if you had to choose one, I’d say Top of the Rock as its central positioning gives of picturesque view and there is an added bonus of three different viewing levels. From either tower though, you can see a massive building in Downtown Manhattan, the recently erected Freedom Building, the new World Trade Centre tower 1 which sits alongside the 9/11 memorial pools. In a very somber experience, the 9/11 memorial is a very emotional spot for travelers and locals alike, with the names of every victim listed, it becomes a very personal experience.

My time in New York also offered some very unique experiences, namely of which was being able to visit, Central Perk. In celebration of Friends being 20 years old, a month-long pop-up store Downtown gave the fans a chance to see memorabilia such as Phoebe’s guitar, Pat the white dog, original scripts and the original coffee shop couch which fans could sit on (see instagram for an awkward photo). Another thing ticked off he list was going out to the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn to watch a Nets game. Whilst the pre-season game ended up being a blow out (111-94) the strong support of the Israel’s Tel Aviv gave the game more life than expected. I also made the trip out to Jersey to watch the NY Red Bull’s play. With international names such as Thierry Henry and Jermain Defore on the pitch, it made for an exciting 3-1 game as soccer continues it’s rebuild in the states.

Whilst Manhattan is exciting and there’s so many great things to do, it is very intense due to the vast number of people constantly around the city centre. So personally, being able to go over to Brooklyn each night was really great as it is a nice change of pace. I’d liken Brooklyn to Fitzroy in Melbourne for it’s proximity to the city centre and the demographic. Brooklyn offered up a number of great bars to go to, as well as some cheap eats which made it hard not to fall in love with. Despite doing so much within the six days I was there, I could easily go back to New York, and will as soon as I have the $$$. With so much to see and do, just going to New York for a fortnight would be an incredible experience as while the city offers up so many well-known attractions, everyone has their own New York experience. But for now, I’m off to pahk the cah in Hahvuhd Yawd.

Kan-YAY!

Kanye West performed the first of his two Melbourne shows last night as a part of his delayed national Yeezus tour. But ask anyone who was there; it was well worth the wait.

The ever theatrical West rises out smoke to appear on stage, cloaked in a jewel stone mask now synonymous with the Yeezus tour. Wasting no time, the pounding drums of Black Skinhead rose the adoring crowd out of their seats, as did the light box behind West, turning Rod Laver into a sea of red. The opening songs of the concert were a showcase of Ye’s most recent work from both Yeezus and the collaborative album, Cruel Summer. Interestingly, Kanye only performed his verses on tracks such as Mercy and I Don’t Like.

Kanye provided the perfect amount of crowd interaction, first encouraging the audience to clap along to the opening beats of Power, allowing them to sing the chorus of Heartless before telling everyone that they were all apart of his Clique right before performing his track by the same name. And in that moment, you truly did gain a sense of belonging to a special collective, a feeling shared with religious groups and political parties alike, which is a true testament to the type of performer and cult figure Kanye is.

In the second half of the performance, West asked the crowd “Do you like you’re rockstars with two fingers in the air?” If they didn’t before, it wouldn’t have taken them long to convert to Yeezlim (yeah, sorry about that one) as West classics All Falls Down, Touch The Sky and Gold Digger set the crowd alight. West’s work on the sampler to introduce Runaway was incredible and he was then joined on stage by opener Pusha T to complete the one of the stand out performances of the night. Personally, this along with Good Life were highlights.

Not to be overlooked were classic Kanye rants throughout the evening, such as blowing up at “someone who won’t be named”, a 5 minute auto tune workout where he told the crowd “Don’t Fuck With Me” I want say 77 times but this was all apart of the Yeezus experienced. West closed out the night with Bound 2 where we all hoped Kim might come out on a motor bike before reappearing for an encore of Blood on the Leaves x2 and Niggas in Paris x3. While two tracks doesn’t seem like a great encore, West encouraged the crowd to get down as the night ended how it started; full of energy and excitement.

For the whole 90 minutes of the performance, the crowd were treated to genius raps, innovate beats and a stage and light show which gave the an arena permanence an intimate feel. West’s talents as a rapper and producer combined with his passion and energy to give his absolute best always makes him one of the best touring acts of 2014. If rap music is a religion, than Yeezus is god.