Second Leg: San Francisco CA

It has come to the day when I am finally travelling to a state I have wanted to go to for years, California. Our overall plan is too have 4 days in San Francisco and then 3 in LA; we did want to go to Vegas, but not being 21 yet makes that very difficult!

We managed to get really cheap return tickets from Miami International to San Francisco International, around £250!! (I recommended looking on not only sky scanner but also cheap flights, it's a free app). 

When arriving in San Francisco, we were faced with how to get to our hotel without breaking the bank. Friends had warned us that there are a lot of homeless about, but 3 british girls thought they could take that on, so off we went to use public transport. We used the Bart connection, like the London Overground. It was $8.50 each and probably took 30 minutes. However when walking the subway and the streets it became apparent to us that we were not in a nice area of SF. We just kept walking in circles and people were looking and hounding us, especially seeing as we looked like tourists with all of our bags! Jumping into a taxi that night was our best idea; I can honestly say I thought my friends and I were in serious trouble. 

We checked into a fairly nice looking hotel, The Encore Express located on Bush Street. I mean it was kinda dingy but you get what you pay for and we were just happy to be off the streets!

Because of our experience the night before we had to start our first proper day with fresh minds and let SF take our hearts. So we started to walk, following a paper map, and eventually obviously we got lost. We just kept walking with our heads held high until the SFPD pulled up alongside us and just said 'are you guys lost?', he then proceeded to tell us that we were walking in the Tenderloin and that we need to keep walkingatraight to get out and stay out. Whilst walking/running out we realised this is where we had been walking the previous night; tourists and locals are warned to steer clear of this neighbourhood especially at night!

From these situations we kept on getting ourselves into, we decided to buy a ticket for the Big Bus Tours. This was legit one of the best things we did on the trip to Cali. It took us to all the landmarks, the tour guide who we originally got and then luckily kept getting, Anthony, was amazing, so knowledgeable and funny with it too. The first day sightseeing consisted of: The Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street and China Town. Unfortunately for me China Town was a little bit of a let down but still worth a look, they did have cheaper tourist 'tack' than other shops in Fisherman's Wharf. 

Our second day was my favourite day! We visited Haight and Ashbury, which is SF's version of Camden. It was in my eyes the life and soul of San Francisco. There were vintage shops, restaurants, tattoo shops, tourist shops and it had a real good buzz to it! We then took the MASSIVE hill up Steiner St to get us to the Mrs Doubtfire's house. The two trees outside were covered in messages to Robin Williams, it was very touching! Included in the $55 we paid for the Big Bus Tour we were given a night time tour of San Fran. The tour was well worth it, with every bus having a tour guide, you find out some very interesting facts about this amazing city, and they even put a bus back to Union Sq from Fisherman's Wharf. 

Day 3, was when we explored Fisherman's Wharf. Also included in our Big Bus Tour was either entrance into Madame Tussaud's or the Dungeons. We picked Madame Tussaud's, however I wouldn't recommend paying to go into this one, it is rather small. Saying this, we had fun having funny pictures and most of the statues had props which you could use which made it even funnier. We also tried Boudin Sourdough bread, which you can only get in SF, (TIP: it is $1.50 for a small baguette but it was filling and cheap lunch, it could of done with some butter though!!). 

It came to the last day of our tour of San Fran and we ha decided that we really wanted to go to Alcatraz; unfortunately this meant getting up at 4am to queue for the same day release tickets. Arriving at Pier 33 at 5 in the morning was freezing, it was like being in th UK again; if you go much later than this, especially in the height of summer you won't be getting tickets! But it was well worth the wait, when the ticket office opened at 7:30am, we finally knew we were definitely going to the island. It was worth every cent, it was a fantastic experience. There was quite an eerie feel to the prison however the culture and history behind it all is really quite interesting. You find this information out via an audio tour, which is free. We were even lucky enough to meet a past inmate, who was signing his autobiography about his crimes and stories in this famous prison. 

The time has come to leave this lovely city, overall thoughts is amazing city but unfortunately there are a lot of homeless and this can make you feel uncomfortable. Highlight: Haight and Ashbury is an amazing place and probably been my favourite place on my travels so far! Next stop LA

stay safe✌️

Lucy 

MIAMI; my top 5 places..

When I first got to Miami, I had no idea what I wanted to do or where to go. Obviously you know from my previous post, I was lucky enough to have your guides! 

Wynwood Walls

This place was insane! They have taken a run down area and covered the walls in graffiti and there you have it a hip, new place to go. I had two favourite walls: the flowers and the Buddhas; which in all honest is probably the generic favourites (oh well!). Around the walls and covered too were coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques etc that were more upmarket but lovely things if you are wanting to splurge. However, be careful because my friend but a juice for $10, and no it didn't have gold leaf in it!! 

South Beach

I went to South Beach twice and two very different experiences. Now the first time was unbelievable, clear sea and sand, literally like being in a pool (this way I can check for sharks!). There was a group of about 10 of us, we went and got drinks (TIP:pour into cups and you won't get told off), and chilled on the beach all afternoon. The sea was like getting into a bath though, not the refreshing chills us Brits need! However the second time I went, we went to a different section and it was full of seaweed, which meant the sea wasn't as clear and I didn't want to do in because it felt like things were crawling on me and I am a big girls blouse!! But I walked up and down the beach and it is honestly a beautiful beach. Be warned though, it isn't like Spain there is no food or drink on the waterfront, so take a picnic!

Lincoln Road

The best way to describe Lincoln Road is Miami's version of Covent Garden. It is literally a strip with shops and restaurants on. But this strip is endless, there is every shop you could wish for and the restaurants look and smelled amazing! It is buzzing with locals and tourists and it was the first time I felt like I was actually in Miami. We went to an Italian restaurant off of Lincoln Road called Piola. The food was quick and fresh, they even had a proper pizza stove..amazing!! To do some shopping or just to get the Miami vibe, talk a walk down here. 

Fairchild Botanical Tropical Gardens

This required you to be a member, but I'm not sure whether you could just go. However this was a place like Rufford Park. It was beautiful greenland that you could walk around and if you had the time you could get lost in the trees.

Intertwined in the trees was a butterfly house, where hundreds of butterflies flew around you and if you were lucky enough they even landed on you! 

Aventura Mall

According to our 'tour guides' this is e biggest mall in America (please comment if I am wrong!). This mall had everything you could ever wish for and for whatever budget you have. I was lucky enough that when I went it was tax free weekend, because that really is a pain in America they add the additional tax at the counter so you never really know how much you've spent! Forever 21 is a must, I got so many bargains!!

So there you go there are my 5 places to go in Miami, hope this has helped some of you guys out. ENJOY MIAMI!✌️

Thanks for reading

Lucy 

First Leg: FL Summary..

So camp is over; now time for the real reason for being in America..travelling! 

 I was lucky enough to make American friends that were driving down to the state of Florida from camp and offered me a ride. The journey was loooong, about 12 hours however I was so physically drained that I slept a lot of the way. We stopped off at Gainesville, the college town for University of Florida, as one of my friends has a her college house here. We visited a lovely restaurant/deli called Deli on 43rd Street (review coming later). Then back on the road for the second leg of the journey which should take about 4 hours. 

For the first couple of nights, I stayed with my friend Shannon at Weston, FL. For the majority of the time I am not going to lie, I slept! All I wanted to do was sleep and tan, typical Brit! We did visit South Beach in Miami which was beautiful. 

Then, I moved houses to my co's house, Morgan. At the time, there was not only me but my travel buddy Robyn and a group of lads from camp. So Morgan decided to throw a bit of a pool party/ Blue Star Reunion- always fun! We visited Lincoln Road (will explain in later post), beaches and did a lot of relaxing!

Moving day came again, this time was to the Scheck's for Shabbat Shabooty. We had a meal which literally filled me up for 5 days, it was insane! Faryn, our host, also took us to Wynwood Walls, which was amazing to see, we did some shopping a lot of eating and then the nomads (Robyn and I) needed to find another roof to stay under.. SHANNON!

That's right good'ol Shannon took us back in, we visited Fort Lauderdale to see her sister. But unfortunately then I got a cold (I know I am in Florida, what is going on?!) so I kinda felt sorry for myself for a day or two, so we stayed around the pool and they had to listen to my whining! 

Then the last house of FL came about in the shape of my other co counsellor Bailey- this is also where we met the last part of the travelling trio, Hannah. She took us to The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens, which was so peaceful and beautiful. Unfortunately there was a lot of tasks that we needed to do before we travelled to San Francisco, so the day was cut short to pack and book accommodation, seeing as we were flying the next day, it was kind of important!! 

And that is it, my Florida experience summed up in a few short paragraphs. There will be more posts about the things  I did whilst I was there and places to eat, so keep posted.

Thanks for reading guys, stay safe✌️

Lucy 

Summary of Camp..

So as you can probably tell I have neglected my blog whilst being at camp 100%!! But summer is over at Blue Star Camps, Hendersonville NC. 

I do have to say it was an incredible experience, that if you have the opportunity to do, grab it with both hands. I won't lie to you, it was daunting initially however as soon as I started to make friends (like straight away) it is like 'a home from home'. 

The people that I met are so diverse personally and culturally, it was a real eye opener for me, for how to deal with difficult situations with people that you wouldn't necessarily mix with. There was a real mash up of nationalities: Americian, Australian, South African, New Zealand, English etc; which again did not make it easy because each nationality would react and handle a situation a different way. There was approximately 350 people working at Blue Star (it was a HUGE camp), and the friends that I have made are ones for life!

Life on camp wasn't just a stroll in the park though; it was a 24/7 job that really could take its toll on you! You lived, ate and breathed those children. We worked 6 days a week and you got one day off (23 hours to be precise) and an hour off a day (which most of the time wasn't an hour!!). However even on those days off you would think you'd be sick of your children and the camp, but for some reason you can't stop talking about your cabin and what you are going to do when you get back on camp- it is such a bizarre feeling (almost like word vomit, Mean Girls quote). 

My kids were literally the best cabin, no question! The whole camp is split up into 6 'sub camps': Juniors (6-8), Pioneer Girls and Boys (9-11), Senior Girls and Boys (12-14) and Teen Village (15). I was PG3, which is Pioneer Girls Unit 3 this equals 11 year old girls. Initially I wasn't thrilled, pre-pubescent girls, I have that at home with my sister!! However my girls were incredible, so full of energy and laughter it was hardly a job around them. Other cabins however were a nightmare and would of stressed me out!!

Last but not least, when your a counsellor you receive a co, which is basically your rock for 8 weeks. Mine was a girl called Morgan Rynor, and I can honestly say that I would not have got through the summer without this girl, she is amazing. The way she dealt with situations, personally and professionally was unbelievable. She had this way with words, that made you listen and actually think about the decisions you were making. She definitely got me out of some sticky situations!!

To sum the whole counsellor job up, it is a job that you love to hate and hate to love. It was one of the best experiences of my life, so stressful but equally amazing! Will I be going back next year, you'll have to wait and see.

Signing out Lucy 

Getting to Camp..

Finally the day has come, I've packed and waxed and now I'm ready to go.

After stupidly not going to bed until 3:30, we were up again at like 6, I was Mardy and tired and really wasn't feeling going on a plane for  god knows how long!!

Getting there was okay until we went the completely wrong way and end up in Terminal 1 instead of Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport; know if any of you know this airport you will know how bloody massive it is!! We walked for ages to find T2!! 

I was panicking the whole way thinking that my bag was going to be overweight and that I would have to take things out and give them to Bradley to take home. When I approached the Checking In desk, she weighed my bag first and it was ... 19kg! Couldn't believe it that meant that I would have 4kg to bring home stuff from America.

Being stuck in an airport by yourself for like 2 and a half hours is definitely not fun!  Everywhere I was looking to see if anyone else was going to my camp and try and see if they were some sort of camp t-shirt; but unfortunately I was all out of luck and couldn't find one. 

I flew with Americian Airlines and they were fab! They literally just stocked you up on all the food and drink you could want (their tea tasted a little bit funny though😔). It was really good though because I'd never been on a long haul flight, apart from when I was small, so I watched films which were quite new and up to date, we were given a blanket and pillow which was obviously used and everyone was so polite and helpful, I can't wait to get on my flight home! (Just kidding!!)

To get to my final destination, there was a changeover at Washington Airport, where you had to wait an additional 3 hours!! But the Yorkshire way is to always chat to some complete stranger about your life story, so time went really quick!

We got on this tiny aeroplane to get from Washington to Greenville, it was so small and old that it still had cigarette ashy trays in the arm of the seat!!

After being picked up by camp, I already had a good feel at how friendly everyone is and how good my summer will be.

I am so excited for my summer and kk keep you posted on what happens!