New Jersey - my adopted home in the US

(A photo after we had watched Wicked on Broadway, from top left: Uncle Jon, me, my cousin Stephanie; and bottom from left my cousins Alison and Natalie, Auntie Adriana took the photo!)

From 29th April until 7th May I stayed in New Jersey which has to be my favourite stop in the US simply because I have the greatest family! The Vernon-Browne/Herrera clan live in New Jersey which means I don't see them nearly as much as I would like to. Luckily for us in the UK they make sure to visit every Summer and every other Christmas, and sometimes we even get bonus visits! This is only the second time I've stayed with them in the US and now that I've seen you can get some really reasonable flight deals if you can be flexible with dates I would definitely like to make the trip more often!

They have a wonderful family home which meant I was treated to my very own bedroom and kingside bed (every travellers dream). The whole week consisted of playing games with the girls (really satisfying my inner child) catching up with my Aunt and Uncle including a delicious Italian dinner in a nearby neighbourhood one evening just for the grownups, spending time learning Spanish with Laura the girls nanny, planning the next few stops on my trip, playing in the playground, eating far too much, celebrating little (or not so little) Alison's 7th Birthday with the family, helping to organise a Birthday/Easter egg hunt in the garden filled with fun challenges, reading to Alison's class, helping the girls bake cupcakes, helping at Alison's cooking party with her friends, being adopted by Adriana's family by being taken to some nearby beautiful waterfalls, to the shopping mall and being fed Columbian food; watching Natalie and Alison play tennis, going out with my cousin Stephanie to an awesome bar that looked like an old style saloon, visiting my Uncle Jon's workplace (coolest office I've seen even featuring a Lego wall), and finally finishing with a bang by watching Wicked on Broadway for Alison's birthday.

It really was the best week and I was totally spoilt whilst I was there. Thank you Jon, Adriana, Natalie and Alison and the rest of the family for making sure I had a really wonderful stay. What a fantastic start to my travels! I miss you all but it is so comforting knowing that I have family I can call at anytime whilst travelling, and a place to call home in the US.

New Jersey I will be back soon, preferably for Thanksgiving as I'm desperate to experience that special American holiday!

Lucy B x

P.S. In my whole stay I didn't get a single picture of you Adriana, I will have to make up for it at Christmas ;)

The Windy City - Chicago

I absolutely loved Chicago!! I didn't have huge expectations before I went as it was a last minute decision to go there as my first stop and my knowledge was minimal. What I found was a very clean and undeniably beautiful city in the states, perched on the edge of the Michigan lake, with a blissful river running through the middle. Chicago certainly lived up to its name, the wind was freezing but thank goodness the sun was shining everyday.

I arrived on Wednesday afternoon, May 25th, after a good flight with plenty of movies to keep me occupied, including Downsizing and The Greatest Showman (I am now obsessed with the soundtrack, anyone who hasn't seen it yet, go see it). I then spent the next hour looking for a bus I had planned to take to get me near my hostel. After wandering back and forth through the airport asking half a dozen people for directions someone finally took pity on me (they could hear the accent,) and informed me that the bus I was looking for was nonexistent and that I needed to get the train, great start to my solo travels!

I arrived at the hostel shortly after which was in a great area called Wicker Park, had a nap, then met my roommate Maria who I organised to have lunch with the following day with another roommate Veronica. I then headed straight out determined to try my first deep dish Chicago pizza... I was not disappointed. It was everything I had hoped and more, never have I seen so much cheese on one meal, it was so delicious and was the first of many on this section of the trip (unfortunately for my waistline).

Our lunch at Pequod's, the fries were a 'half' portion

The following day I decided to have a look around Wicker Park as I had been told it was a nice area. I spent the next few hours looking at quirky shops, record stores, bars and restaurant, then had a quick march through some of the suburbs. There is something about Chicago that is so different and pretty and I enjoyed getting lost in the streets adding things to my to do list. I then met Maria and Veronica for lunch at Pequod's which had been recommended by one of the hostel workers where I had the worlds largest meatball sandwich and fries - can you believe that was a half portion?

Veronica had work to do but Maria and I had a busy afternoon being tourists walking through the the city, along the river walk, visiting the Millenium Park and Cloud Gate (or the bean as it is referred to) which was great fun, we took so many pictures! Eventually we parted ways as Maria had to pack to leave that night and I headed for The Second City Theatre for some Improv. Anne, my friend from work, had recommended it as her son had just been to Chicago and really enjoyed seeing one of their shows. It was amazing, so funny with brilliant actors I was so impressed. Turns out it's a famous venue with comedians such as Steve Carell, Bill Murray and Tina Fey performing there before becoming famous (thank you for the recommendation Anne)!

Cloud Gate or 'The Bean'

The next few days were busy to say the least. I managed to walk tens of miles along the river walk, as well as along the lake to the various beaches, enjoyed an architectural walking tour of the city which I can highly recommend to anyone thinking of visiting (I do the walking tours in most cities as it helps to get your bearings, meet people and think of things you want to do whilst there, including great recommendations for food and bars), and a boat tour along the river. I was also blown away by the Adler Planetarium (thanks for telling me about it Liv and Dave,) which not only had tons of interesting facts and pictures of the universe, but showed incredible videos of the stars and galaxies and hundreds of things I had never seen before, that was another real highlight. Oh, and I also had one of the most amazing breakfasts ever from Yolk (cheers again Liv and Dave, my pancake was carrot cake flavoured).

Riverboat tour on Lake Michigan

Breakfast from Yolk

In summary, Chicago was incredible and I loved every minute of it. It was my first stop on the trip so I had a few nerves but they quickly disappeared when I arrived and was able to explore what I consider a truly great city. Even after 4 days I felt like there was still so much I wanted to see, oh well I guess I better go back sometime soon...

Lucy B x

Leaving

So here it is, my long awaited first blog post six weeks into my travels around the world. For those of you who know me, being late is kind of a habit of mine, but as the saying goes 'better late than never'. Now unfortunately for those of you reading this I am not much of a writer, but I have wanted to start a blog for a long time and this trip seemed like the ideal time to do it, so please bare with me, and hopefully I shall develop my own blog writing style as I go along. A special shout out goes to my wonderful work colleagues and friends from St Peter & St James Hospice in Sussex, who grouped together to buy this gorgeous blog layout you can see now as one of my leaving presents (I was completely spoilt and miss you all). They gave me the final push I needed to do what I have said I will do for a long time. 

Over the next 7 months I plan to use this blog as a platform to document my many (hopefully) exciting adventures, as well as the expected rocky times too, travelling through the US, South America and Australia. As I am doing this trip solo I felt it important to have a way of recording all the things I am lucky enough to see and do so I don't ever forget this opportunity; and apparently some of you want to know what I am getting up to too. So I hope you enjoy my blog!

I left England on Wednesday the 25th April after a pretty stressful two week run up. As soon as I finished working at the hospice I was running around like a madman getting prepared for the trip. I needed a completely new wardrobe for my travels ready for the blistering heat, I had every check up available to ensure I was in good health before I went, I had to find new bank cards for the cheapest available costs whilst abroad, buy all my travel essentials, finish the last of my jabs, find new shoes, see friends and family before I left, buy US dollars, get a new phone and contract etc. etc. etc. I think I would still be in England preparing if it wasn't for my parents help researching, taking me shopping and keeping me sane (thanks again for all your help Mum and Dad)! 

On the Monday before I left my extended family met up at Grandma's for take away and lots of hugs, it was so lovely to get together and have some downtime. The following day on my final night Mum, Dad, James and I went to pizza express for my 'last supper' before the trip (Callum was working in London). It was a great excuse to wind down and just enjoy the evening, rather than panicking and worry about what I may have forgotten to pack.

On the morning of my flight I woke up early and my parents drove me to Heathrow Airport. Dad factored in some extra time so we could have a drink before going through security. As time drew closer to my flight we begrudgingly decided it was time to part ways. After multiple hugs but no tears this time we said our goodbyes and I walked through to security. With one final look back I made my way through and turned the corner. It was at this moment, filled with anticipation, nerves and excitement, I knew I had made the right decision. I knew that I was about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime, no going back now...

Lucy B x