Living in the USA

The first two weeks of our trip are up. If we were on a normal holiday we would be back in the UK now sat at our desks with our fast-fading tans, watching the drizzle and reminiscing about the good times we'd had in the Florida sun. Instead we're still here and it's started to sink in we're going to be living in the US for the next 3 months (well 2 and a half now). 

With that comes the realisation not every day is going to be all highs, there will be moments when we miss home, miss our friends, feel a little tired or grumpy - not that we've had time to feel even remotely home sick yet.

We have a lot of places to visit, an abundance to see, and with that comes plenty of time on the road, a variety of experiences, some exhaustion, but most importantly a hell of a lot of fun! Tonight we plan on reliving our Uni (or should I say college) days by gatecrashing a Frat party at our new friends' in Tallahassee.

The four of us are already like a little family. And I have a sneaky feeling we're going to love living in the USA.

A journey of surprises

We're still very much in the early stages of our trip, but already there have been several things and places that have really surprised me on our journey. And I don't just mean the prices of the drinks in the clubs in Miami or that iHop is open and serves it's full menu 24 hours a day (this is us there at 2am)

I have learnt things about myself, my friends and the US I never knew or expected - and I'm certain I'll learn a lot more over the next 4 and a half months.

I've been surprised by how much I felt at home in Miami after 5 days; how much I enjoy going out diving on my own; how non-slimy dolphins are; how quickly we all began pining for a washing machine and clean clothes; how brainwashed some Americans are (the views of our friend Thomas in Naples shocked us all); how quickly we could learn the state nicknames and capitals (we thought it would take weeks rather than a day); how our state knowledge is now better than a lot of Americans; how fun it is being out on the road - ok, I did kind of anticipate that, but the sense of freedom and contentment you get is absolutely something else.

But the real surprise for me so far has been Tampa. A big city, known for little more than business, Busch Gardens and being the home town of Channing Tatum and his seedy 'Magic Mike' strip club. Not the sort of place you'd want to visit, right? Wrong. The cute streets in the historic district of Ybor City, the lively strip of bars, the drink prices ($1 a drink - could you ask for more?), the friendly people. I loved Tampa. Admittedly, with a long day at Busch Gardens followed by a drive to Orlando the next day, making the most of the city may not have been the wisest decision we've ever made (for Chloe at least) but I'm certainly glad that we did.

Heaven on Earth

After an eventful start on Friday (with a forgotten credit card mishap) we picked up our car, or KiKi as we affectionately call her, and got out on the road. That road brought us to a place I think is actually heaven on earth, The Florida Keys.

Stopping off in Islamorada to eat the best food we've had so far, as we sat looking out on the palm trees, sunshine and sea, I knew it was going to be a good few days.

It took literally minutes to spot our first bunch of dolphins, then we arrived at our glorious hotel in Key West. Located right near the sea and a short walk from the marina and all the bars, with a lovely swimming pool, jacuzzi and breakfast included, we are living the life.

From biker bars to aligators, crazy dancing, meeting special agents, late night swims, moped rides, beer by the pool, key lime coolers, key lime pie, amazing views over the sea, giant iguanas, tropical storms, we've had it all. 

And we left our mark in Key West attaching our dollars to the ceiling of the dollar bar.

We even found the most scrumptious veggie cafe (much to Soph's delight) in Key West, with Sezchuan noodles, falafel pittas and Moroccan vegetable and lentil soup. Good job we weren't there longer or Soph may literally have spent her whole budget in that place!

And importantly for me I got to do some diving in Key Largo. Diving of many firsts, first time I've been out on a boat without someone I already know, first time I've dived in the rain and first time I've seen eagle rays, lobster and a whole load of jelly fish.

I really couldn't ask for more. And we've not even swum with dolphins yet - that's what we're up to tomorrow morning before we head on to the Everglades, where I plan to cement my nickname of Ray Mears.

Miami, the city that keeps the roof blazing

'This the type of town I could spend a few days in, Miami the city that keeps the roof blazing.'

We've only been away for 5 days so far and we've not even ventured further than Miami yet, but there's already much to tell.

There's been tattoos, drunken evenings, giant cocktails, lost Kindles, exciting bus rides, lots of sunshine and beach time, some thunder and rain, nail salons, morning runs, American diners, buggy rides, Kardashian stalking, bike rides, roller blading and lots of new Italian/Israeli/Swiss/Moroccan/Spanish friends.

We've set up some routines, like recording quote of the day, winning one so far is Danielle's drunken explanation of how she doesn't need an invisibility cloak or immortality because she has alcohol!

We've started to relax and enjoy ourselves, we're really loving life; although I'm sure the fact this is our lives for months and months hasn't really sunk in yet.

Now we're off to pick up our hire car and are heading South to Key West... let the road trip begin!!

Someday is today

Ever since I was 7, I've always thought 'someday I'm gonna travel the world' ...well now someday has arrived and in an hours time I'm off to Heathrow, to begin my big adventure, travelling the world.

Having been filled with trepidation (and a mild state of panic) just six hours ago as I dashed around the house sorting out a few last minute things, now my excitement has taken over and I'm beginning to realise today is the day I start living my dreams. Adieu.

A journey of great contrast

So now that everyone knows I am taking some time out from work to travel the world, it seems the time is right to tell you about my planned journey, so here it is:

Four friends, four countries, three cars, three organised tours, and lots of flights and coach journeys.

From big cities to remote beaches, from flat plains to jagged mountains, from an abundance of wealth to extreme poverty, our journey is set to be one of great contrast.

You just need to look at our itinerary to see what a broad range of sights and spectacles we are likely to see. Nowhere is that contrast more evident than in the weeks we travel from the business capital of Texas, Houston, round the remote jungles of poverty-stricken Mexico, to the big lights of the famously money-centred Vegas, then on to stay in an unheated tent in the spectacular rugged landscape of Yosemite National Park - where black bear sightings are not a rarity.

Our journey begins in Miami, where we will be in just a few short weeks time, and involves the road trip of a life time across the south coast of America (yes, in hurricane season - we'll certainly be keeping a close eye on the weather reports), covering eight states with a brief diversion to see the jungle, lagoons and beaches of Mexico.

Then it's down-under for a tour of the East coast of Oz, spending Christmas on the stunning beaches of the Whitsundays before heading to Sydney to see in the New Year (could we have planned that more perfectly?)

Leaving some of my friends in Australia, I am then heading to Thailand to see the hill tribes, elephants, tigers and beaches I've heard so much about.

Not only is it going to be a journey of great contrast, it's going to be one of great wonder, learning and, importantly for me, recuperation (although it may not sound it, with all the places we plan to visit!).

I've always wanted to travel the world and now I am. I literally CANNOT wait!

Time to become a butterfly

When I came across this old English proverb a few months back on Pinterest, I was having a bit of a tough time and it really resonated with me. I am the caterpillar.

It also reminded me of a famous passage from Albert Camus:

In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love.
In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile.
In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm.
I realised, through it all, that…

It's amazing really how resilient the human kind is.

Now I'm not pretending my struggle comes even close to many people's across the planet. But I think in our own little ways, at some point, we all face winter and we all need to find that invincible summer.

How poignant then, that next month I am quite literally spreading my wings and flying off to summer. And whilst in reality it may not be invincible, it's certainly going to be a long one, and one that will doubtless stay in my mind forever. I'll keep you updated on how it goes.