Georgia on my mind..

Hola, y buenos dias/tardes/noches mis amigos! (depending on when you're reading this)
I've travelled about 2000 miles since my last post, and am currently sitting in my room in Las Vegas, writing this. I've not had a chance to update my blog since Miami (which feels like a longtime ago now). A thousand apologies for this. I shall now attempt to recall and recap my last 11 days.... Here are my newly uploaded pictures, of which there are many, many more.

Anyways.... after my mammoth 17 hour bus journey to Hotlanta (as I believe none of the locals call it), I met Rachel, which was nice. Disappointingly, we had less time together than planned, as she had a Rotary Club presentation to give. Still, it was really good to see her again (although she'll be home before I am) After a definite lack of culture in Miami, we went to an exhibition, which was surprisingly good.
My main purpose in the ATL (as some locals do call it), was to see her, and so with my spare days I went to Savannah, about 4 1/2 hours east. I'd heard it was nice, and wasn't disappointed - it was old, and very picturesque, and generally nice to be out of a city.
When I came back to Atlanta (as most locals call it), I went to a baseball game (long, very hot, and not as exciting as the highlights on TV would have you believe) and the CNN centre (out of defference to my uni training)

While I was over, a main objective was to

watch the Champions League Final as

Liverpool were in it. Alas, we lost, but

my faith in life was re-established

in a watering hole, as shown here:

Georgia has also started my 'crime-in-America-count'; there was a carjacking in Atlanta, just over the road from my hostel (it wasn't ina particularly nice area), where, incidentally I had been standing about 15 minutes prior (nice!) In Savannah I was apprehended by the police for the crime against humanity known as jaywalking, and got told off. Then, I went to a bar and saw a rubbish thief steal a girls purse (and then spend his loot at the bar - surely it would have been a better idea to just leave and make his getaway!?) Finally, as I was lying in bed the next night, I heard alot of shouting outside, and then 2 gunshots (again, I wasn't staying in a nice part of town) Needless to say, I lay flat on my bed and hoped that the bad men would go away. They did. It all adds up to make the rich tapestry of my American adventure!

More Miami fun

Hola!

It's soooo hot outside, and as I'm still feeling a bit tender in the sun, I'm in the internet cafe as it's nice and air conditioned.

Went to the Everglades this morning, as the photo here attests. (I went and got a new camera yesterday following my issues with my old one. It be shiny and new) It was really good, and I had the whole alligator experience; I saw many, then held one (below), and then ate one! Tasted good! That's a real one behind my btw, I'm truly fearless!

I read in 'Made In America' (cheers guys), that the phrase "paint the town red" is an Americanism. In honour of this, that is what I plan to do ce soir. I shall take my nice new camera and take many pics.

I'm off to Georgia tomorrow, so shan't be around for the next couple of days I expect. Until next time friends, take care.

Buenvenidos a Miami

Hola, once more mes amigos. I've taken this oppertunity to add some more Miami-chat, as it's chucking it down outside. It's approaching hurricane season, so I think the storms just get worse over the next month or so. It's just like being at home, except the rain's warm, and it only rains for about an hour or so a day. Fortunately, I leave at the weekend, so will miss any big storms.

Yesterday at the beach I got quite remarkably burnt, so I'm planning on taking it easy over the next few days, and avoiding too much sun. I think I'm going to go to the Everglades tomorrow; I may hold an alligator!

As a result of my lobster-red 'tan', I didn't really feel like staying out too late last night, although I did go for a couple of beers on Ocean Drive. There's a cannonball run style race in the next few days, so there were (even more) fast looking cars. I did try to take pictures, but my camera is now officially goosed, which, combined with my shakey hands, mean I didn't get any good shots. I shall try to rectify this today. In the meantime, above is the one decent shot I took at our pre-club drinks. Good (if a little burnt) times!

Welcome to Miami....

Hello friends, or rather, hola amigos. (Miami is full of Hispanics)

I arrived safely in Miami yesterday after spending a night in Fort Lauderdale. It was good, but seems to just be a smaller version of Miami. That said, since I've arrived here, I was told that there's a bar in Ft. Lauderdale where the Baywatch cast hangout, so I may be doing it a disservice.
Miami's cool. Very hot, but cool at the same time. It seems to be coming up to thunderstorm season, so it rained quite heavily the other day, but it soon brightened up, and today is a scorcher. I went down and 'hung' on South Beach, home to Miami's beautiful people. Needless to say, I was moved on quickly. But not before I got sun burn. Good times!

There are a few guys in the hostel that are quite sound; an Englishman, an Aussie and a Swiss. Sounds like a lead-in to a joke, but it's not. We went to 'Miami's #1 club' last night, Mansion. It was flash, and there was a fashion show on(!?). It was hoaching. A bit too flash though, as I've left my bling at home. I didn't take my camera (d'oh!), but one of the guys did, so I'll try and get some pics off him. Guys were just pulling up outside in there Escalades, Bentley's, Hummers, Porsche's and Lambo's. Super-flash.

Going out again tonight, but to a bit more of a down-market place, I think. Try not to be jealous.

Not long now....

......until I go to America. I'm going to Florida, Georgia, Vegas and California. I'm normally quite disorganised, so I'm sure there's something I've forgotten. I just don't know what it is. Damn.
I'm going to try to keep this blog up to date, as I hear that they have t'internet in the States. Please read, enjoy, and try not to be jealous!

Cheers
Michael