I hopped off the plane at LAX with a dream and my cardigan

They say the easiest way to spot a tourist in New York is to see who has their heads titled up, looking at all the skyscrapers. However in Hollywood it’s the opposite, as when you first arrive your eyes are drawn to the ground as you walk along the Walk of Fame.

On my very first day I headed to the most western point of America, spending the day at Santa Monica and Venice Beaches. Santa Monica Pier is a 100-year-old landmark that has become synonymous with LA thanks to it’s frequent use in television and films. The pier is a tourists dream with everything from carnival rides to corndogs, photo booths to street performers however the main attraction is the view of the sunset. Casting a picturesque view over the LA skyline and the beach boxes, the sunset provides a moment of calm in an otherwise busy city. A 40-minute stroll or 10-minute ride down the beach takes you to Venice, wear bearded ladies, body builders and skaters line the streets. It would be very easy to lose a day at Venice as the wide selection of bars and restaurants makes it a foodies dream, however you can loose track of time at the famous skate bowl, as many locals showcase their skills.

One thing that is a must whilst in Los Angeles is a hike along Runyon Canyon. Located in the Hollywood Hills, Runyon Canyon is a favorite for tourists and celebrities alike (on this particular morning Justin Bieber) as it gives you the best view of Hollywood and wider Los Angeles and even though the hike to the top of the canyon is a just over a four kilometers, it’s definitely worth it. After scouting my next place to visit from the top of the hills, I went out to West Hollywood, which may be the best place on earth. Walking down Fairfax as the sunset on a Sunday afternoon, you pass a number of bars and garden parties you just know are lined with the rich and famous as the Lambos and Range Rover sit outside in the valet. Further down countless boutiques and cafes are filled and you can’t quite be sure if someone is famous or just really hot. There’s no doubting LA is full of glamour however there is a little more to it, you just have to find it.

Located downtown, The California Science Center is a free an interactive museum that explores everything from the human body to electronic communication, however the pride and joy of the museum is the Endeavour space shuttle which completed 25 missions, and if I’m being honest, is really impressive just by the shear size of the thing. Also included is an ecosystem exhibit and, really negligently, the museum doesn’t warn you that there’s a snake exhibit in the desert section, not cool museum, not cool. Across the road is the California African American Museum that displays a history of African Americans in pop culture.

One thing everyone does when visiting Hollywood is walking up to the sign but it is not as easy as it seems. Firstly, you cannot do this at night during the winter, as all the gates close at sunset. Also, it’s not the easiest thing to get to; especially when the closest thing you have to walking shoes are Chuck’s, but because of the size of the sign as long as you are heading north, you catch a glimpse of it. Also in the north is the Hollywood Bowl, which is LA’s answer to the Sydney Myer, and even though it was raining and nothing was going on, it did provide a lovely place to eat my lunch for the day.

On my second to last night in the states, I attended my third and final basketball game, as the LA Clippers took on the Detroit Pistons at the Staples Center which was another thing ticked off the list, even if it was $10 for a beer. With another blowout win by the home team, my record stood at 8-0 as for every sporting event I went to, the team I supported won every time, with the only away victory going to my Patriots in San Diego. My final day in the US was spent walking around Beverly Hills and Rodeo drive it what can only be descrbed as a family fun day which included a stop at Urth Café which most of you would remember from shows like Entourage and The Hills.

After 73 days, 20 cities, 15 states, 12 buses, 9 planes, 1 train and countless subways I found myself at LAX eating my last double jalapeño cheeseburger before I headed back to Melbourne. I have seen and done some things I never thought I would and got to live out countless dreams which is probably why it all went so quickly. Even though I come back a few kilos heavier and dead broke, I would do it all again in a heartbeat, so thank you America, it’s been real.

It’s all good from Diego to the Bay

Throughout my trip a lot of people told me that I was going to love San Diego, and you know what? The were right, as the city by the border put on a great week for me.

Straight away, there was something to do in San Diego, as the December Nights festival happened to be on that weekend. The annual event in Balboa Park is a Christmas haven as the usually quiet botanical gardens were filled with people, food stands and carnival rides.There was an incredible amount of people walking through the park, and I think I under estimated how fortunate I was to be in town that particular weekend, as it seemed to be a pretty big deal. As an added bonus, the parks museums were open late for everyone to walk through. Afterwards, I explored the Gaslamp Quarter, which is the social hub of downtown San Diego with bars, restaurants and clubs to suit anyones taste. Thanks to the night before, Saturday morning started slowly by the bay, as downtown San Diego is situated on the water, and the sunny December day was perfect to walk along the marina. It was hard to believe that it was the first week of winter, as all throughout the week the weather stayed in the comfortable mid 20s, making San Diego an easy place live. Headed just inland to Little Italy, the monthly farmers market was full of dogs and hipsters, as traders offered up an array of foods, including Cannoli’s which were delicious. With so much going on in San Diego, my Sunday could have been spent doing a number of different activities, however Sunday is always football day.

One thing I’ve really appreciated since being in the US is the sporting rivalry between complete strangers. For example, on Friday I was wearing my Arizona t-shirt, as the Wildcats were playing off in the Pac-12 Championship that night, and as I walked through downtown SD, people would either tell me to “Bear Down” or yell “Go Devils”. This continued on Sunday, as my patriots were in town to take on the Chargers, and despite being an away game, there were New England fans everywhere. After whats become a traditional pre-game pepperoni slice, I travelled north of the city center and again enjoyed the friendly banter between fans. And that’s all it is, whilst fans are deeply loyal and devoted to their team, anything said personal or not, comes with no malice just with a love of sport. After a shaky start, the Patriots went on to win again, and my incredible seat just above the end zone provided the perfect viewing area to enjoy the win. After such a busy weekend, you think I’d take Monday a bit more slowly, however that was not the case.

Once again, the weather was perfect so I headed to Old Town in the north-west (not the famous child) San Diego. Old Town embraces the heavy Mexican influence on San Diego, as the city lies very close to the border, so walking through the outskirts of Old Town, you would be forgiven for mistaking it for Tijuana. Walking through Old Town is like a trip through time, as it winds back the clock to how it was some 100 years ago, with museums show casing San Diego’s first bank, hotel and court-house. Headed back downtown, I wanted to check out Balboa Park without all the people and rides which turned out to be a great decision as it meant I got to go through places like The San Diego Hall of Champions and The Science Center without the screaming kids. My last day in San Diego was easily my favourite, as I took advantage of the weather and headed to the beach. After a bit of a hike and following surfers through tracks and bush land, I eventually ended up at Sunset Cliff beach and had a very hard day of swimming and falling asleep in the sun (yes mum, I wore sunscreen). If you haven’t picked it yet, I couldn’t get over the fact that it was considered winter, as it even though I was some 13,000 kilometers away, it felt very much of all the summers I spent down at Phillip Island growing up, which got me very excited for the Australian summer that awaited me.

It’s strange how so many people I just met knew I would love San Diego but I really did love my week here, from spending a day at the beach and watching my second Patriots game, all the way to just walking through Balboa Park or along the marina. But all good things must come to an end as I make my way to the City of Angels. You stay classy San Diego.

I lost my soul to San Francisco

Dubbed as the New York of the west coast, San Francisco is a rolling metropolis of hills and whilst it doesn’t quite have the five boroughs of NYC, the differing parts of the city offer a unique experience.

It is widely known that San Fran is one of the more expensive cities to live in thanks to the IT boom, however to visit it can be rather cheap, with a number of free attractions and tours to choose from. My first stop was City Hall, as the free tour provided not only a history of building that’s been rebuilt twice, but also a background and insight into SF’s society. And with another city, another assignation point as City Hall is where Harvey Milk, the first openly gay American politician, was shot by a member of staff. The building itself is quite impressive, with solid marble pillars and stairs, as well as gold-plated detailing on the dome roofing. As I wandered through the streets, it was very reminiscent of a March afternoon in Melbourne, as whilst there was grey skies and rain fell, it was still balmy. However, one thing San Fran has a lot of and Melbourne needs is food trucks, allowing you to choose from gourmet burgers, hotdogs, chips and sandwiches and anything else you could upload to instagram. As the rain got heavier, I headed indoors to the American International Museum of Art, where the current exhibit focused on Japanese-American artists, celebrating the high level of Japanese-Americans currently living in San Fransisco. Another exciting part of the city is Chinatown.

Lying in the heart of CBD, Chinatown is sprawling blocks of food, art, food, culture and did I mention food? A walk through Chinatown stimulates all the senses allows you to really experience the diversity of San Francisco however as you head further north, you start to encounter San Fran’s famous hills. I eluded early to the fact that SF had a lot of hills and I really mean a lot, and for someone whose physical activity for the past 3 months includes running for buses and picking up pot glasses, the 75 degree slope of some of these hills can be tough, however the trek north is certainly worth it. Coit Tower sits in the north-east corner of San Fran and provides a perfect 360 degree view of the Island, all the way from Alcatraz to The Bay Bridge. From here, the high density living of the city looks reminiscent of favelas seen across Europe and South America, however some of these houses are slightly more famous than others. Just west of the city centre is Corona Heights which is home to The Painted Ladies; groups of Victorian-era houses painted in several colours and are some of the most expensive pieces of real estate in San Francisco. Included in this area, are the houses featured in Mrs Doubtfire and Fullhouse, and as a 90s kid, it was only right that I continued my ongoing journey through pop culture.

Despite the weather still looking like an autumn morning in Melbourne, I set out to one of the most famous bridges in the world. Located in the most north-westerly point of San Francisco, The Golden Gate Bridge connects to Marin Country and provides arguably the best view of the city. One this particular morning the rain was heavy and the wind fierce which made for an interesting walk across, as at one point I was certain I was going to be either swept into oncoming traffic or into the bay, however having survived the journey it was definitely worth the walk as the view of not only San Fransisco but also the greater bay area is incredible. After drying out, I headed downtown to continue my sporting tour and stopped by At&T Stadium, home to the World Series winning Giants. With the 49ers recently moving their stadium to Santa Clara, the Giants have become a focal point for the city, and when they’re the best baseball team in the land, so they should be. I spent my last night in San Fransisco enjoying a slice in Union Square which is the absolute heart of the city as a shopping hub, but with the arrival of the festive season, is also home to a massive Christmas Tree and Ice Skating rink which is probably the closest I’ll get to having a white Christmas.

Having got all nostalgic with Melbourne-like weather and Christmas festivities, it was time for me to head further south to a city discovered in 1904 by the Germans which they named a whale’s vagina.

I drove through the desert last night

As the weather continued to drop, I chased the sun west into the heart of the desert in the fourth largest populated city in America; Phoenix.

I first headed east of the city centre where a short trip across the bridge brings you to Tempe, a college based town of Arizona State University. Since being in the states I have fallen in love with colleges and here especially I found myself wondering why I didn’t do an exchange. Back in Phoenix, downtown is dominated by the two main sporting stadiums of Chase Stadium and US Airways Arena, as Phoenix is another city home to a team in all four major sporting leagues. Inside Chase Stadium is a TGI Fridays, which allows you to enjoy some buffalo wings and fries whilst looking over center field, which is a pretty exciting lunch. Afterwards, I found myself in Arizona Center, a downtown parkway where, on a breezy 20 degree day, INXS played over the speaker system. As the sun went down on the desert I again headed east to two major tourist stops, with the first being the Desert Botanical Garden. The orange glow of the disappearing sun gave the gardens a picturesque setting as the gardens are literally in the middle of the desert. Just down the road is the Phoenix Zoo, and as holiday season has arrived, the Zoo offered up nighttime exhibit most of the animals, but the main attraction was the light display, which was pretty much Christmas street lights on steroids. The next morning, I took a two-hour walk through the outskirts of the CBD along Roosevelt row; a collection of street art and murals depicting significant moments of politics and society. Although it was only a 48 hour stopover, I really enjoyed my time in sunny Phoenix, however it was time to bear down.

A two-hour bus trip south takes you to Tucson, another college town as home of the Wildcats of The University of Arizona. There have only been a few occasions on this trip where someone knew me more than the Aussie guy on his own, and Tucson was one of them as a mate from highschool and university was smart enough to do a semester here. After a night of reminiscing and impersonating teachers, Thanksgiving was spent very un-traditionally, first with Pizza and Soda for lunch, before throwing around a pigskin on campus. A tip if you do find yourself in the states over thanksgiving – find a family to adopt you for the day as everywhere shuts down like on Christmas Day. Friday was a much more lively day as the Wildcats prepared to take on the Sun Devils of Arizona State (Fuck ASU). After some pregame Fantas, I found myself in the Zona Zoo with around 10000 UofA students going absolutely mental – and it was amazing. Anytime anything happened, the crowd had something different to say, chant or clap and was one of the better experiences of the trip. The Wildcats eventually got up causing fans to storm the field in yet another incredible experience, as the claimed the Territorial Cup and Pac-12 South Champions. BEAR DOWN FOR WHAT!?

Early the next morning, we made our way to the airport as we were headed to Sin City for the weekend. Las Vegas is crazy, just ridiculous. Firstly, there are pokies in the airport terminal, like literally as you step off the plane you can gamble. Secondly, their lax liquor licensing laws allow you to drink on the street at any time of day. And the place is just full of hotels. Whilst walking from one end The Strip to the other on a Saturday wasn’t the best idea, it did give us a chance to see the city in daylight and it is a lot bigger than I expected. Hotels and Casinos dominate the area, as everywhere you look there’s somewhere to eat, drink or gamble. After dumping our bags and checking out the number one family hotel in Vegas (a mistake we made in booking) we were ready to see what was installed for our first night. Despite being solicited by every third person, we first found ourselves at Caesars Palace (not too dissimilar to three other best friends that anyone could ever have), before moving onto Treasure Island. If I’m honest, I only know this because of what the boys told me the following day, I don’t actually remember. Sunday night was much more subdued as gambling became priority, and after loosing on roulette, it was time to check out the view of Vegas at night,and it’s about 10 times better than the daytime view. An ocean of colour and light, Las Vegas boulevard is playground for anyone wanting to do anything. So whilst losing my Vegas virginity was a lot of fun, I would definitely come back with a bit more money to spend. Right now, I’m driving down the 101; California here we come, right back where we started from.

Now let me welcome everybody to the Wild, Wild West

As I headed further down South, I once again got to experience the famous American hospitality, with a bit of an Aussie touch.

Thanks to one of my best friends, I was able to spend my few days in Oklahoma City with a family which was great for curing a bit of the homesickness I caught somewhere along my travels. Oklahoma may be considered by some to be a “fly-over state” however I learned there was a lot more to OKC than just being the home of the Thunder. Firstly, Oklahoma City is the site of the worst domestic terrorist attack, as the site of the 1995 bombing of the Murrah Federal Building killed 168 people. Today, The National Museum & Memorial serves as a reminder of the horror that occurred almost 20 years ago. In one of the better presented memorials, the tour opens up with the history of the building and how it was the morning of the attack, with incredibly intense audio recording of the bombing. Displaying ruins, the memorial becomes deeply personal as items including watches, glasses and shoes belonging to victims are displayed, along with computers and furniture pulled from the ruins. The museum then honors those a part of the rescue and recovery mission and a recent addition is the evidence and investigation into the bombings, which is really interesting as it was clear they did not want a Russell Street type situation here. The outdoor memorial is a lovely tribute to those who did loose their lives, and acts as a constant reminder of the devastation that occurred there one spring morning. One the other side of town is the Myriad Gardens, an indoor botanical feature that displays plant life in its prime due to a fact that they are protected from the elements. Outside, a water feature centers the lake with what would be considered a standard city park, but also acts as an outdoor auditorium and provides a great walk around in the fall sun. Although my time in OKC was brief, it was definitely one of the better stops of my trip, however it was time to head to where everything is bigger. Oh, and college parties are pretty much everything you’d imagine they’d be.

In the heart of oil country, Dallas appeared to be the metropolis capital of the south, as I was greeted by a sky scrapers I had come accustomed to seeing in the North-East. After dumping my bags just east in Irving, I raced over to the American Airways Arena to watch the Mavericks take on the Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. Although the game turned into a blow out with the Mavs winning by 40, it had always been a goal of mine to watch Black Mamba, so I was very happy to see him taking shot after shot. Even more so, NBA games are just really exciting and you not allowed to be bored as there is so much going on. After a night out with another mixed bag of nationalities (Greek, French, Brazilian and Argentine) I headed northeast to White Rock Lake, which despite the baron winter trees, was full of people jogging and fishing. Heading back downtown, Dallas was ablaze with lights as the festive season had well and truly arrived as just about every tree or building was covered in some form of lighting. By pure coincidence, I visited the Sixth Floor Museum, the memorial dedicated to the assassination of John F. Kennedy, 51 years to the day after the shooting took place. Opening up with Kennedy’s history and time in administration, showing what an important figure he was at the time and makes you realize how big of an impact the assassination had. A reconstructed “snipers nest” where Lee Harvey Oswald is said to have fired from gives the museum some perspective, and you also have the opportunity to take a similar vantage point. To the museums credit, they do point out inconsistencies in the many government reports to JFK’s death, and also offer a number of conspiracy theories behind it. In the space of a week, I had visited two assassination points and the site of a terrorist attack and it is perplexing to think that a spot so dreadful yet significant in history is now a tourist attraction, but a more positive way to view these, along with Ground Zero is that the people who died will always be remembered and America will always rise from tragedy (Yes, I did steal that from one of the memorials). It was finally time to head to the West coast and even though I have spent a lot of time transporting on buses, how ’bout that ride in? I guess that’s why they call it Sin City.

If you give up New York, I’ll give you Tennessee

My time in the sun was certainly over, as in the space of a two-hour plane ride I went from the balmy mid 20s, to days when the temperature didn’t get above 0. Tennessee has long been considered the musical heartland of America which made it a must see for my trip, however the first thing I did in Nashville wasn’t at all music related.

Tuesday night of Veterans Day (Remebereance Day) was spent watching the Nashville Predators who are the Ice Hockey team for Tennessee. Even though this was the first hockey game I watched, I’m pretty sure it would be considered a good game, with the Preds making the most of an early lead, winning 3-2. Having experienced my first NHL game, it meant that I had now seen four out of the five major leagues in America, with the only exception being MLB, but that’ll be done next trip. Having taken in Nashville’s sporting side, it was time to delve into their history, with my first stop being The State Capitol. Whilst there’s not a lot to see and do at the State Capitol in Nashville, I happened to be there at the time the new senators were being sworn in, so if you happened to watch the Nashville local news on November 12th, keep an eye out for a skinny dude in black jeans and a grey knit. The State Musem was much more interesting, and it was my first encounter with American history relating to American Indians, as up until this point the focus has been on the American Revolution and Civil Rights. The museum also highlighted how the state was established with two major cities in Nashville and Memphis, and also boasted a War Museum which was pretty moving especially after such a significant holiday. Inspired by my family’s love for the man in black, I visited the Johnny Cash museum.

Johnny Cash is one of the most successful recording artists to date, and the small museum showcases all of his work from I Walk The Line right up until Hurt (which is probably the most depressing songs you could ever listen to). The museum includes Cash’s pantium records, outfits and props from shows, as well as handwritten letters and lyrics. A recent addition to the museum was The legends of Sun Records exhibit, as works from Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison and other country legends are on display. Next, I ventured west to eat at Arnold’s, a Nashville institution for decades and got to experience some classic Southern cuisine. Another Nashville tradition are the honky-tonk bars located on Broadway, and it just so happen that it was the 54th birthday of one of more famous honky-tonk bars; Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. In celebration, a massive all day/ night street party had country music fans bootscootin’ and hollorin’ all through Downtown. Whilst I’m not the biggest country music fan, I made the most of a free concert as some very (apparently) famous country stars took the stage. Nashville is certainly the country music capital of the US, however it was time to check out another scene, as I headed west to Memphis.

When it’s a high of 1 and low of negative -7, it’s literally freezing.

As you can see above, Memphis was even colder than it was in Nashville. My music education continued here as my visit to The Rock ‘n Soul Museum picked up where the Johnny Cash Museum left off. Taking you on a journey through time, the museum explores the cultural origins of both country music, a predominately white genre, and blues which was predominately black. The museum tour hits its peak when racial barriers were broken down to combine the two popular genres which is said to have formed RocknRoll music when a boy from Mississippi named Elvis first performed Heartbreak Hotel. The museum also highlighted how Rock N Roll became the soundtrack for a post-war generation, and how music was influential in significant moments such as the civil rights movement. On the other side of Beale Street is the Gibson Guitar factory, which allows you to tour the factory and see how the manufacturer the iconic guitars. Despite being the least musically talented person in Memphis, it was really interesting to see how goings-on, especially as 90% of the manufacturing process is still completed by manual labor. Whilst also in Memphis, I enjoyed one of the best burgers of my trip, which came about in an odd way as it was simply a man and his best mate working the grill in a parking lot, talking college football. Naturally, I joined in with the conversation and the burger was so good I ordered a second.

Memphis was a city that felt the full force of the global financial crisis, and it is evident that only know are they on the way back to their peak. A part of this is the National Civil Rights Museum, located at Lorraine’s Hotel where Martin Luther King Jnr was assingated. The museum was one of the more interesting points of interest I’ve visited thus far, as not only does it acknowledge the struggle throughout the 20th century, but also the origins of African-Americans from the turbulent slavery period and Civil War. A particularly eerie part of the tour is when you view the room Dr King was staying in whilst he was assassinated, which remains relatviely untouched with his possessions inside. Also, a wreath on the balcony is placed in the exact position where he was standing when he was assassinated. After a very moving experience, it was time for something a little more light-hearted, as I visited Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken a few blocks down, and it’s no surprise that it is famous as it was the three-piece fried chicken meal I have ever eaten. Like ever. As I continue my journey across the mid west, I left Tennessee about 4 kilos heavier than when I first arrived, but also with a greater appreciation for music and those that made it what it is today.

I’m back to livin’ Floridays

After a big Halloween weekend, I was looking forward to a bit of downtime in Miami, however this wasn’t quite the case.

South Beach Miami is everything you’d imagine it to be and more; a place full of bright lights, people and things to do, most of which centered around drinking. My mornings usually started off with a bike ride along South Beach Boulevard, as the palm tree covered path leads right from 5th avenue, all the way past 40th, and when it’s 23 degrees (74 fahrenheit for my American friends) at 11am, it’s a great way to work up a sweat before hitting the water. The white sand and warm waters of South Beach are very inviting, but it’s still got nothing on Australian beaches. However, being a tourist hot spot, banana lounges, deck chairs and shades are all available to hire, which does give a standard day at the beach a luxurious touch. I loved being able to spend my days at the beach when in reality, winter was only a month away, but it’s when the sun goes down that Miami really comes to life.

By night, Miami is ablaze of lights, music and people, with Ocean drive being the hottest spot of a hot city. And because of this, you tend to get hassled and sprooked on both sides of the road; on the West side by bars and restaurants to come in for “the best night of your life” and on the East by drug dealers and homeless people. After a while you get a bit of a Surfer’s Paradise/ Bali vibe, and that’s really fun and everything, but you’d rather be there with six of your best friends. So instead, one night I enjoyed miniature UN Convention as a Brazilian, a Norwegian, a Swiss, a Chinese and two Aussies took in the best South Beach had to offer. Up until now, Miami may just seem as a party town, but there’s a little more to it.

Miami is very proud of its Art Deco district, and so it should be as the 20th century architecture of classic hotels certainly hold their own against modern-day sky scrapers. Each spot along the Art Deco walk has its own character and charm, as the classic and original brickwork lead into luxurious spots on Ocean Drive. Complementing this is Wolfsonian-FIU, a display of both modern and folk art of the 20th century, and whilst only small, the collection is impressive enough to show that art doesn’t have to be centuries old to be impressive. Miami also has a strong Cuban presence, so I decided to appreciate this side as well, enjoying a classic Cuban Sandwich at Puerto Sagua and as you can see below, the multiple layers of meat with melted cheese was delicious (ft. Maria who made the glorious sandwich).

Three hours north of Miami is Orlando, one of the biggest tourist cities of the US. However Orlando offers a bit of a juxtaposition, as while sure, there’s heaps of theme parks and attractions, and neon lights and souvenir shops are on every corner, it doesn’t feel as touristy as say New York or Miami. In saying that, it is clear that Orlando and it’s residents acknowledge the fact that their economy relies on tourism, and so many people go out of their way to make you feel welcome. As Florida is “The Sunshine State” it was again nice to appreciate some warmer weather and time by the pool, being given the opportunity thanks to a competitive accommodation market which allowed a bit of luxury for a backpackers budget. And I’ll be honest, I didn’t really do much at all in Orlando, however this is apart of why people love to come here, as it is very easy to not do much at all. However my time life of luxury and warm weather came quickly to a close, as I began my journey West and headed inland.

We fought all the way from Florida, Now locked into New Orleans

If you were expecting a cultural insight into New Orleans, then I apologize as for much of this post I will be focusing on Voodoo Music Festival, however I will open with the few N’awlins hotspots I had a chance to visit.

So by now you would have realized that there is a lot of history and tradition in every American city I’ve visited and whilst this is true of New Orleans, it is a bit left of centre. Both the European and Caribbean influence are obvious, with The French Quarter looking like downtown Paris with its sprawling balconies and vibrant colours. The Quarter is the oldest neighbourhood in New Orleans with tradition and history laying on just about every door step and in Bourbon Street, a lot of this is centered around drinking but when the street shares the name with a type of liquor, this shouldn’t be any surprise. Having enjoyed a Hurricane, a tradition Absinth, an Irish Coffee and a Muffuletta (the last one being a sandwich), we took a short walk down to Jackson Square which acts as a gateway into the Quarter. It also provides for awkward tourist photos.

The main reason I traveled to the deep south was for Voodoo Music & Arts Festival – a three-day cultural spectacular located in City Park over Halloween weekend. After a three-hour bus delay, and impossible walk to the hostel and ludicrous entry line, I finally found myself having an inside what can only be described as a circus, where you’re apart of the show. Despite the terrible lead up, having a boog to Zedd made everything right in the world again, before I headed across to Outkast where Big Boy and Andre 3000 showcased their catalog from 20 years of touring. From crowd favourites to original raps and even a cover of Kryptonite, the duo certainly didn’t mess around as they turned a stage show into a party for the entire audience, because what’s cooler than being cool? Outkast.

Saturday was my first full day at Voodoo, and what a day it was. After a few lemonades, I wandered down to City park, catching the end of Thomas Newson was rather lovely, as the Dutchman’s funky house vibes woke up the sun. One of the highlight’s of the festival for me was ASTR. I’m the first to admit the only track I knew was a cover (Hold on, we’re going home – look it up) but groovy beats behind the fierce vocals were incredible and really fun to get down to with complete strangers. DJ royalty Pete Tong rocked the crowd as the sun set, before Claude Vonstroke awoke the night with a set that had even the most awkward person in a dancing frenzy. I caught the end of what seemed to be a theatrical 30 Seconds to Mars set as I awaited for the act I was most excited for. A couple of english lads known as The Arctic Monkeys were incredible, just one of the best shows I’ve seen. Showcasing most of the AM album, it is easy to see why it won record of the year. This, on top of personal favourites of 505 and Dancing Shoes made it one of the highlights of a trip thus far, as there is nothing quite like that Newcastle drawl live in person.

Sunday opened up patriotically as the John Butler Trio were on early. Despite not being my favourite person, John Butler minus the dreadlocks is actually a bit of a rocknrolla and as you’re enjoying a beer and laying in a park on a sunny Sunday in New Orleans, you realize that life is pretty okay. Next stop was the psychedelic Griz followed by Fedde Le Grand to ensure that the last afternoon didn’t finish quietly. The headline act of Voodoo was the Foo Fighters, and even though I’m not that into their music, I’d be very excited if you were an Australian fan, as it is clear that they love what they do, making it an awesome rock show. Pretty Lights closed out Voodoo for me, just incase I didn’t dance enough the two previous days, their music was complemented by an awesome light and stage show. Voodoo was my first major festival, and although their was no camping like Falls or Splendor, staying at a really fun hostel was just as good as you can usually find a good group to go out with and as Mr Tuner says, my day’s end best when the sunset gets itself, behind…

Thank you New Orleans it’s been real, but this fall I’m going to take my talents to South Beach.

The good life, it feel like Atlanta

So the heading for this post wasn’t great but you know what is great? Atlanta. As the Capital of Georgia, Atlanta is probably the most urbanised city I’ve visited since NYC as it appears to be a city that has grown and prospered economically after hosting the 1996 Summer Olympics.

In the middle of all the tall buildings and busy streets lies Woodruff Park which quickly became a favorite. Loungey vibes play as you enjoy your free coffee and donuts (free because of the accent) whilst the park also offers sun lounges so you can take five, but also a number of games and activities if you want to make the most of your lunch break. However, thanks to a tip from an Atlantic local, I travelled just north of the city centre, to Monday Night Brewing, a local craft brewery. For $10, you get the chance to tour the factory and sample six of their finest lagers in their beer garden, which makes it a must-do for beer connoisseurs and those with a slight alcohol dependence. They also play really good music. As good as the craft beers were, Atlanta is better known for another beverage.

At first, The World of Coca-Cola may just seem like one big advertisement for the brand, and yeah sure, they love telling you how much the world loves a Coke, but it’s actually a really fun tour. Without really knowing the history of Coca-Cola, the story of its origin and how it became the worlds most popular drink (which they repeat, a lot) is interesting, even if with all the history and facts they choose to neglect the fact that Cocaine was apart of the recipe. From different ads from around the world and different time periods, the tour shows you the some of the goings on inside the plant, and at the end of the tour you get to sample all 162 drinks they currently produce. Having got my money’s worth in samples, I headed east to explore the Martin Luther King Jnr memorial centre. With the focal point of the centre being Dr King and wife, Coretta’s graves, it is another very somber point of interest in America, and as audio grabs from Dr King’s speeches play throughout, you realize how much of an important figure he still is today. From Atlanta, I headed further South and to sweet home Alabama.

One easter, my family and I travelled to South Gippsland to visit family, and to break up the trip back, we stopped in a town called Heyfield. Upon telling the locals this, many asked “So, why are you going to Heyfield?” Montgomery, Alabama was my Heyfield. Despite being the state capital of Alabama, Montgomery appears to be just another sleepy town. However, dig a little deeper and it appears that this may just be the city’s subconscious at rest after years of horrific turmoil. Some of the most significant point in the civil rights movement originated in Montgomery, from Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat, to being home to the church of Dr King. The Civil Rights Memorial Centre is intensely emotionally, as it is hard to believe the inhuman activities that occurred some 50 years ago. Acknowledging not just racial discrimination, but also that of gender, religion and sexual orientation, the Memorial Centre really makes you grateful for growing up in a more understanding time. From here, I visited the Rosa Parks Museum to further understand how this simple defiance shaped the course of history. To break the day up, I stopped at Chris’ Diner; a Montgomery favourite for almost 100 years. Having ordered Chris’ famous “all the way” hotdog, I paid a visit to the Hank Williams Museum as this too was a favorite of the country crooner.Despite his premature death, it is clear that Williams’ songwriting and story telling having influenced so many artists over the years, including some still performing today. Even though it was just a quick 36 hour stop over, Montgomery is a really nice spot to visit, with friendly locals always wondering How you were doing and what bought you to Montgomery, you could easily spend a few days here and really appreciate ‘bama. From one extreme to the next, I’m now onto my way to The Big Easy for Halloween weekend, where genuine fun beckons.

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.