America the Great...

It has come to my attention that there is a vast difference between American and British social life - and social standards for that matter. Over this past month I've become disgruntled by the lack of night life that I am presented with. Actually, on a more accurate note, the standard of night life.

My English friends and I (those currently on the Year Abroad) had a conversation about this the other day. When asked - "How was the party??" my English friend would reply - "Yeah, it was alright". But when asking a "frat" boy how the exact same party was - "DUUUUUUUUDDDEEEE OMG sicket party ever!" So we conclude that American's party like we did when we were fifteen. Stuck in a house or attending a venue (in England for someone's Birthday) where alcohol is limited and fear of doing something illegal is high on the agenda.

I would also like to address American dancing. I first encountered this horrific cultural shock at my first venue party. At the beginning I was midly impressed with the club and chose to ignore the severe lack of alcoholic beverages. But then, to my horror I entered the dance floor to witness was looked like the biggest, most sober, orgy ever. Girls were literally "backing-it-up", down on all fours, assuming the doggy position for the "lucky" male behind them. I just wanted to hand out condoms to everyone, promote safe sex, and pray that each and every single one of them didn't contract an STI. It's safe to say I left after a couple of hours, being no longer able to 1. Keep a straight face. and 2. Was concerned for my own backside.

Now, I don't want this post to be entirerly negative. In fact I quite enjoy the free alcohol given to me as a female at one of the many house parties, and I am quite partial to not having to pay an entrance fee to the venue parties - even if it is Buffalo Wild Wings.

I just wanted to vent my feelings on a few of the differences between what I am used to, and what I now experience.

But it is safe to say turning "21" overnight has deffinatly made me feel more at home.

Pirate Nudity...

We spent two days at Alex's Grandparent's house, and set off for day three of our roadtrip to Kansas City! Common sceanery included the "Lions Den", "Nude Girls Here!", and multiple other signs offerring truckers numerous happy endings...



Day 3! In the car!






Lions Den...

The second part of our day we dub the Pirate day! Missouri's sceanary isn't the most entertaining, so we blasted some Flogging Molly and were very amused as we passed a sign for "Pirate Boonsville"...





It took us ten hours to get to Kansas City and Alex was exhausted from the long drive. We checked into a motel and Alex decided to use the pool...



Later that evening after checking our finances - we decided it would be "like the-most-coolest-thing-EVER" if we camped out in Colorado and Utah, so we headed down to Walmart and picked up the cheapest tent we could find. Naturally we needed to check it was in working order, so we set it up in the room...





We're such children...

That night was one of the worst and most terrifying nights sleep ever... but I'll fill you in on that drama tomorrow!

...Trust me, the roadtrip does get more interesting.

Day 1?

There's so much to say and I don't think there is enough time or will of any readers to read everything I've done and experienced in this last month.

Let's just say, it's been a much bigger and better culture shock than I'd ever have expected.

Over the next couple of weeks my plan is to update bits and bobs of what I've done this month, get up to date - and then fill you in a couple of times a week on the embarrassments and surreal experiences that my life has become.

Let's start from the beginning... the ROAD TRIP.

...Enter the temperamental Volvo...



...weighed down with everything that has become our life, with only enough room for my toes and Alex to drive - Oh! And Lola of course!



I almost feel Lola deserves her own post. Lola has a picture in every state, in front of every landscape and became our "good luck" charm over the trip. Something on the car sounds dodgy? Wiggle Lola! Don't think we'll make it through the mountains? Wiggle Lola! You get the idea...

The first day of the trip was kind of dull. Early morning start, long twelve hour drive, not to mention a lost mobile phone, a frantic stop in Indianapolis with a crazed phone call to an insurance company, another stop at the creepiest toilet at a place called "Pocahontas" that resembled the bathroom from Saw I, the beautiful view of the St Louis Arch - "gateway to the West",and finally getting near to Alex's Grandparents house only to get lost on the final stretch. So yes, not a very eventful first day...



In the car - Day 1.



Border of Indiana.



Just your average healthy American snack...



Illinois border.



Pocahontas. The scariest town in America.



Missouri border.



St Louis Arch.



Mississippi River.



Bridge over to Alex's Grandparents house.

Although not the most eventful day of our trip, it's defiantly one to remember. Only Alex could send us on an hours detour after leaving his phone on top of the car, driving off, and then proceeded to drive very slowly down the motorway thinking he'd find it...

We ended up spending two days with Alex's Grandparents. Some of the nicest people - and even though they totally didn't understand what to feed me as a vegetarian, I thoroughly enjoyed the "lovely salad bar" at Ruby Tuesdays... haha.

Updates!

I promise I'll update soon...

I'm currently in St. George Utah! We've been on the road trip for six days now and have had so many crazy experiences.

I'll get to California on Monday and will spend the week updating.

So many photos...

...So much to tell!

Audi Strike 1 ??

It's been an eventful couple of days...

I can't say it's been the best start to our road trip.

Day 1 the Volvo breaks down and we have to be towed (read below).

Day 2 the Audi feels the crunch of metal.

Alex and I were stopped at a red light on our way to what turned out to be a drunken whiskey filled evening. We were in the right lane going straight and as soon as the lights turned green a Honda came flying across from the left hand lane trying to make a right.

I wish I were lying when I told you we slammed on the breaks, blasted the horn but the guy just kept on coming, denting the front left hand corner of the Audi and smashing the headlight...

It was one of those moments where we could see it happening but there was nothing we could do... we sat hearts in our throats, screaming, swearing.

Luckily a police man saw everything, pulled us both over and fined "Xavier" for his gut-wrenching mistake.

The day after Alex and I picked up the temperamental Volvo and it's running better than I've ever heard it. But due to our two days of terrible luck we've decided to push our road trip back to Monday and spend 8 days travelling down. Same route, but they'll be more time for us to see things.

Every cloud?

Temperamental Volvo Stike 1

I finally made it to Detroit, after 12hours of travelling and way too much waiting around.



Yesterday was my first full day in the USA and Alex and I decided to embark on some retail therapy. It's kind of a tradition. Every time I visit we go to the supermarket and go to the "mall".

Ironically Alex and I were having a conversation about our luck - or lack there of, and how we had been so lucky up until now. Within a second the car shut off, the oil light came on and we were stranded on the side of the motorway.

The 1988 temperamental Volvo struck. Strike 1.




The car ended up being towed and is currently getting a new timing belt. (?!)

Luckily Alex's Dad was so kind to lend us his Audi A4 convertible. I felt like a film star all day. Driving with the top down, hair everywhere, Raybans on!



It was so typical though... Alex's family are now worried sick. His Grandparents are convinced we're going to break down on top of the Rocky Mountain or in the middle of Death Valley. Personally I still want to drive, but we'll have to see what is going to happen. There's a lot of talk or air fares, shipping, and new cars...

...I'll keep you updated...

Un día!!

I can't believe how soon it is until I leave.

I don't think I'm normal. Last week I held back tears of fear and nervs in China town as I chomped down dim sum, but this week - with only a day to go, I'm feeling fabulous about everything!

Having felt like I was going to throw up all week I'm more content than ever. I just feel like everything is falling into place.

Funny how with so much to do I suddenly got bombarded with work. - Extra pocket money for a mini shopping trip to the "mall" haha.

I've finally packed all my clothes, shoes, and handbags. It was easier than I thought choosing clothes - shoes on the other hand was a nightmare...

My Mum finally got to say "hi" to Alex's Mum - Kelly, face to face (or Skype to Skype!) this week. I nearly died. My Mum ran upstairs laughing and wanting to talk to Alex. Little did she know that Kelly was also on Skype, much to my Mum's embarrassment as she squealed "I've already had two glasses of wine!". But it was nice for them to get to finally have a chat.

I think I've discovered that leaving has its major ups. I've received more cards and presents in the past month than I did on my birthday; with the added hilarity of a girls night out which resulted in far too many bottles of wine, numerous amounts of unwanted attention, vomiting, a friend laying on the bottom of a taxi floor - stilettos in the air singing "Americano!!!" to my feet, and a spontaneous 3am 1hour walk across town only to be locked out as a very hilarious times.

I think my next update will be from Michigan! How crazy is that. I have my plane outfit planned and intend to take numerous photos in the airport, on the plane, and during my change in Chicago - yes I'm going to be one of THOOSE people.

I just can't wait!