Friday 25 January 2013

Hello World...

I've absolutely fallen in love with traveling, and since last summer, I decided it was perhaps time to stop saying 'one day' and actually get planning in terms of where I want to go. As cliche as it sounds, one thing I've always wanted to do is go on a road trip across America. I've travelled before, but in my eyes I've never actually travelled. I think mostly I've just been on holiday to places - I've never really had the opportunity to travel somewhere for the sole intention of just getting stuck into a place and really soaking up the culture and the history. So recently I decided maybe it's time to get off my arse and actually do something about this dream, especially since I never really had a gap year before I went to university. My friend Amy has decided that it's something she'd really like to do as well, so we've started planning to go this year if funds allow (but it MAY have to be pushed back until next year if we can't afford it). We're hoping to either go in the summer (Warped Tour!) or in October. We're leaning more towards October because we know how hot it can be in the summer and that we wouldn't be used to such hot climates and if we go in October it will mean our trip will coincide with Halloween. Halloween is my favourite holiday and it saddens me that it's not celebrated as big in the UK. Whereas in America, they go all out. 

Why America? America has always fascinated me, from the people to the culture and the food - I've just always loved the idea of going there and soaking up absolutely anything and everything to do with the place. Over the years I've discovered quirky oddball places I'd love to visit - all those real American off road places that are just known for being weird, and I've fallen in love with different states that I can't wait to step foot in. I want to spend the evening in a run down typical Texas bar, chatting animatedly with all the different people there, hearing their life stories. 

And, as much as we'll need to plan - visas, accommodation, places to visit - the best part of a road trip is the fact that it's all open ended. We have a rough idea of the places we'd like to visit - and we're open to suggestions! - but generally, we can't wait to just drive around and travel the road less known, discovering our own quirky spots along the way. We'll plan as much as we can to make it a cheap, safe and less stressful trip, but that's as far as the planning process goes. Who knows where we'll end up visiting along the way.

So this is the blog that will not only be home to various updates, photographs and epic soundtracks along the way - but also the significant planning process of the whole thing, from the very beginning. It might get stressful but we can't wait for you all to read about how we put together the plans for the road trip of our lives...