I started this blog as a means of detailing my travels around this part of the world. However, I've been away for a month and haven't written a bloody word!
So, I will try to make up for this now and attempt to document my trip thus far.
I started this journey on Monday, August 20 when I flew from Melbourne to Los Angeles. I spent 4 days there and was able to catch up with my good friend,Sara to have a new tattoo done. I adore my new tattoo and thus far have had many compliments on it in both English and Spanish.
After LA, I flew to Monterey on the California coast to attend a music festival to see Gogol Bordello. They were amazing! After the gig, I went to a local bar where Eugene Hutz did a DJ gig which was also fantastic. I met many great people and had a good boogie. I was too shy to approach him for a photo op. He had a chica with him that he seemed very preoccupied with when he wasn't spinning discs and I didn't wish to interrupt.
After my three days in this sleepy coastal town, I travelled via bus/train/bus to San Francisco. I adore San Fran. It has so much more than Los Angeles can offer. Great community feeling,people,food and cocktail bars. I arrived very late at night and stayed at a very nice apartment owned by a lovely guy named Josh. He wasn't staying there, he stayed with his boyfriend and allowed me to stay there alone. Whilst there, I wandered the city on foot, discovered 2 incredible Tiki bars; Smuggler's Cove and Tonga Room. The cocktails at Smuggler's Cove knocked me on my arse!
While in SF, I was able to finally meet someone I had been communicating with on and off. He was in a band a really liked and is now has a new band who happened to be playing while I was there. His new band is awesome and I had an incredible night. He was also very hospitable to me and it was lovely to meet him after all this time. I was a tad inebriated after first visiting Tonga Room and have a couple of their ultra potent drinks!
After San Fran, I flew to New Orleans where I experienced one of the most AMAZING cities! So much culture,tradition and the people are so fantastic. The night I arrived,my host Mike cracked open some beer and we went for a walk around the lovely neighbourhood. People on their porches saw us and all say "How're y'all doin'!" So nice! While there, I was able to see one of my all time fave band, The Jesus and Mary Chain at the House of Blues. They still have it. I also got to see Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers twice while there and they blew the roof off. The food is incredible in NOLA. The most special thing I experienced was attending a second line parade. To be able to dance behind the band, drink beers sold at the side of the road for two bucks and see people celebrate life as it should be is a sight to behold. I feel blessed to have taken part in it. To go to Frenchman Street and go from bar to bar and see incredible music is magic. Such a great culture they have- I hope it is never taken away. NOLA- fight for your right to party!
After NOLA, I flew to Austin,Texas and was hosted by a lovely couple- Joann and Xavier. By that stage, I was a bit partied out and needed some down time. They were like a family to me and looked after me well. There wasn't a lot to do in Austin and I wouldn't agree that it's the music capital of America but it's a place to see if you so desire. I think by this stage, I was just itching to get to Buenos Aires. Jo generously gave me a lift to the airport and I said my final farewells. My stays via Air BnB have been so wonderful. Nice places,good people. I can thoroughly recommend it if you come across this and wondering where you want to stay when traveling. It's cheaper and the people you meet through it are awesome.
Phew! That's my catch up thus far on my trip. I will write about South America soon. Promise.
