diamondlife

I'm sure you've all gathered, if you've been following my posts, that I've had an amazing time in the US (and Canada, for that brief time I was there!). It was an incredible experience, and I'm a little bit sad that I had to come home and get back into the real world of working and washing up and the British autumn (*shudder* it's my least favourite season, I hate it)! But thank you to everyone I met for making my trip so fantastic and memorable! And I already have a list of things (and people!) to see next time! :D

Of course, I have a stack of photos, so I'll be uploading some of those at some point over the next few days. But for now, I prepared a short "best of" list, going by area rather than thing, otherwise I'd've been here forever!

Niagara Falls had the best waterfall (well, duh!).
Boston had the best host. (*snugs sublimeparadigm*)
Chicago is the best city (and had the best museum).
Albuquerque had the best people.
Santa Fe had the best hostel (and, for that matter, atmosphere).
Taos had the best smell.
Flagstaff has the best memories.
Phoenix gave me the best meal (I can't stop thinking about the posole I ate at the museum! :9)
San Francisco had the best con (again, bit of a gimme there ;).

The south west showed me the delights of sopaipillas, delicious beer and the most magnificent scenery. It's one of the most breathtaking areas I've ever been to, and I really am looking forward to going back. ♥ The last thing I want to point out, though, is more for my fellow Brits. America wasn't nearly as different to Britain as I was expecting, in terms of culture and people! The differences were small or superficial, but by and large, I felt not far removed from home. With one major exception - the size. I found America to be pretty much like Britain - but much, much bigger. XD

Well, the weather's picked up! But I still had nothing to do yesterday, so I headed down to Phoenix on the bus. Again, the trip didn't start well, as the bus was 2 hours late, but the ride down was gorgeous (though I sat next to an old man who talked at me for the whole 3 hours, non-stop). Lots of cacti! :D It was a beautiful day in Phoenix - the weather was absolutely perfect for me, just the right temperature. However. It was Sunday, and Phoenix appears to be undergoing extensive renovations and roadworks, so we had to walk quite a way to get to, well, anywhere. When we *found* the Heard museum, though, it had a really delicious restaurant, but we only had time for a quick dash round the museum itself before we had to head back to the bus station. ^^' So Phoenix wasn't quite the day of the greatest achievement ever, but still, we had a good laugh and the journeys there and back were beautiful.

For the same price as the bus ticket to Phoenix, today, I had a full 10-hour tour of the Grand Canyon. Words can't quite do it justice, but as I haven't uploaded my pics off my camera yet, you'll just have to take my word for it that it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. We had perfect weather, and a very entertaining tour guide, and I just don't think I could ever get bored of it. This isn't a lot of explanation, I know, but it was just so, so incredible.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll also be able to cross another thing I thought I was going to miss off my list - Monument Valley. *crosses fingers* I knew my road map would come in handy!

Grand Canyon tour cancelled due to the weather - 0% visibility.

There wasn't enough in Flagstaff itself to last me a *day* - even though Sedona is only 30 minutes away there's no way of getting there till 4 this afternoon; ditto Phoenix.

Flagstaff is becoming known as the town of failure. Unless I can find my new friend and persuade him he wants to go halves on hiring a car and drive us somewhere. -_-

Yesterday when I arrived in Santa Fe, I wondered briefly why I hadn't just cut my losses and gone straight west. If Santa Fe didn't answer that yesterday, Taos certainly did today.

The bus journey from Santa Fe to Taos takes almost two hours, and covers some of the most amazing scenery I've yet experienced over here - or, indeed, anywhere. As soon as you get out of Santa Fe, you start to see these wonderful rock formations and brick-red cliffs on either side of the road - I'm surprised my neck isn't stiff from all the turning and craning and peering I was doing. After the rather ugly blip that is the town of Espanola, the bus then follows the Rio Grande up towards Taos. On this stretch the road runs up the valley between steep cliffs, always keeping in view the absolutely awe-inspiring sight of the mountains above Taos Pueblo. It was a glorious day, and there was the most picturesque cap of snow on the mountains; sadly, I hadn't realised the scenery would be quite so magnificent, so, knowing Taos Pueblo charges for camera admission anyway, I hadn't been too worried when I realised I'd forgotten my camera - hence, the only pictures I have are rather crappy ones from my phone on the return journey, and none of some of the most impressive bits between Santa Fe and Espanola, because my battery had run out and it was dark by the time we got there anyway. :/

When I got to Taos it was already 2.30, and my main priority was, of course, the pueblo. I got there around 3, and spent the rest of the afternoon there, including the guided tour (by a young woman who appeared to have learnt the whole 20 minute talk by rote, so it might not have been the most unique interpretation I could've got, but still, it was informative and interesting). The rest of the time I spent looking in all the little craft shops around the pueblo - most of the jewellery was surprisingly expensive, though I guess I would've been willing to pay more than I did for the necklace I did choose in the end, but all the stuff I liked best was way out of my range. I heard some middle-aged ladies speaking Tiwa, though I wondered if maybe they were doing it because I was there, in the same way that Welsh shopkeepers will switch into Welsh when English people walk in so they can talk about them. ^^' However, it did give me a little thrill to hear a dialect that's you'd never hear anywhere else, except spoken by a few thousand people in this part of the world. But I am a language geek. The most impressive part of the village is of course the tiny church, with its beautiful folk-type statues of the Virgin Mary and the santos. The church, and the whole village, smelt wonderful too, of burning cedar - all the shops had their fires going, and I can still smell the smoke on me. I bought a couple of smudges to try and get that evocative scent when I go home.

My only regret about Taos is that I didn't get any time to look round the town itself, but then, I guess I would only have been looking in the craft shops anyway, and in the village you know you're buying things the sellers and their families have made themselves, so it feels much better to support the community directly, and meet the craftspeople themselves. I feel patronising saying it, but I really do love to see and learn about traditional ways of life and indiginous cultures, and it's fascinating seeing them being preserved.

I didn't get back to Santa Fe till 7.30, and as no buses were forthcoming I rather grumpily made my way back to the hostel. As there were *still* no buses, I couldn't go back to the Blue Corn cafe, but instead went to Mu Du noodles, just down the road from the hostel, and man, I'm so glad I did! It was pricier than I've been paying, but still, in English money I can only say "ker-ching". Especially when I realised she hadn't charged me for my glass of plum wine, and when I pointed it out she said "Oh, that's fine" - score! I also had the most massive pot of white jasmine tea, most of which I got through. :9 Plus there was a yummy brownie dessert.*

So yes - one of the most worthwhile days I've had so far, because even I didn't spend long at my destination, the journey was just as impressive. I can't stress enough the beauty and variety of the landscape - the dry scrub, the soft red rocks, the river, the backdrop of the snowy blue mountains. One of the most scenic drives I've ever been on.

Onwards to Flagstaff tomorrow! Grand Canyon territory, and my first taste of Arizona. :D

* Notice how food plays a big role in my enjoyment of this trip? ^^' Well, it's a very important part of any experience!

When I came to New Mexico, I did not expect it to bucket it down! Today started off cloudy, but by 4pm it was pouring, with thunder and lightning and everything; it didn't let up, so I had to get the scary bus back to my motel. ;_;

However! I completely made up for it by meeting alissa tonight! :D We went for dinner and I had a chimichanga and a margarita (which wasn't that sour at all, despite it being apparently packed with lemons). alissa is wonderful company and a very brave driver! ;D Thank you very much for taking me out, and you must visit us sometime! Maybe for the Beard Championships next year... :3

Earlier in the day I visited the very interesting Indian Pueblo Cultural Centre, where I got to see several interesting Indian dances (though I don't think lame [that is, lah-may] is a traditional native fabric), and had a really delicious Green Chile Stew. Not to mention learnt a lot about the 19 pueblos of New Mexico. I'm a little frustrated because of the weather - I'd wanted to see more around Albuquerque, but I think I'm going to move onto Santa Fe tomorrow. I'm realising I won't have time to fit in even a third of the things I wanted to see - some by necessity, because I'm not driving, but some simply because of the time needed to get there and do them justice. So my current plan is - Santa Fe -> Taos -> Albuquerque -> Durango -> Mesa Verde -> Albuquerque (yes, it's where all the buses go through!) -> Flagstaff/Williams -> Grand Canyon -> Flagstaff -> SAN FRANCISCO! So yeah, I'm not going to fit in some of the biggies, like Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly (and even Acoma, unless I'm very lucky), but hey, I've got something to come back to see, right? ^_~ All the people in Albuquerque have been lovely and friendly and a joy to talk to, especially the shopkeepers in Old Town (and excluding the bus of fear, but let's not go there again ^^'), so it's really been fun, even if I haven't quite done all I intended.

OK, so the plane thing wasn't working out. It costs a fortune to buy a ticket if you just walk in, so I thought I'd go for the old train idea after all.

No train till tomorrow. And between Boston and Albany is booked up (Columbus Day travellers, apparently). But! The man at Boston station was very helpful and kind (he called me classy! Aww, it's cos I was wearing my smart cardigan! XD) and helped me get a different ticket. The price seemed reasonable, and I was cheered to realise it's Thursday today, so it does only take the 3 days I was expecting anyway. I do have to set off at 6am tomorrow (o.o), so I'm staying in a Milton Hotel in Boston, but it does mean I get to spend a couple of hours in places I didn't expect to see.

Hence! I will be in:

Washington between 2pm and 4pm tomorrow
and
Chicago between 8.30am and 3.15pm on Saturday! So anyone in those areas who wants to meet up for a coffee, I'd love to see you! :D Especially Chicagoans! ;D

I'll then be arriving into Albuquerque at 4.05pm on Sunday. o.o I better book a hotel tonight, to be sure of it! ^^'

My only regret about this sequence of umming and ahhing is that I could've spent more time with sublimeparadigm. ;_; (Though I would've had to stay here tonight anyway, due to the early departure!) Ah well, you've just got to come to England instead, Jackie~! ^_~

Heehee... free interweb! I couldn't make the wireless in the Travelodge I stayed in last night work, which was a bugger, cos I wanted to upload my pics - not to mention kill some time (I ended up falling asleep at about 10pm, but then I woke up at 2 and couldn't sleep again till, like, 5 -_-). But I'm in a Starbucks and the nice barista told me I might be able to get signal, and lo and behold, I can. :3

So! I'm in Niagara Falls! I arrived here about 1.30pm from Toronto, and I kind of regret not spending longer there (I was driven in, waited 15 minutes for my bus then was out again) - it looks like a great city, so it's on the list for a re-visit! Niagara Falls is as amazing as you'd expect. I went Behind the Falls yesterday, and took loads of photos; the weather was gorgeous all day, so I walked up and down the riverside and spent some time sitting in the beautiful Garden Theatre, as well as visiting an aviary. I needn't really have stayed the night, as the buses to Boston don't leave till 12.50am (...I still have 7 hours to kill, woohoo ^^;;), but at least I had somewhere to keep my case! The town itself is kind of tacky, especially after dark, and I had a bugger of a time trying to find food last night! I ended up in a dubious "Mexican" place that didn't even serve me a real Margarita - though I have to admit I had to change my order cos I didn't have enough cash for my original one. *cough* I subsequently found $50 in my suitcase, but somehow I've managed to spend most of that today. Still, this trip isn't about being cheap - it's about seeing and doing as many things as possible, and if that costs money I'm prepared to pay it.

Hence, today I walked out of town to find this butterfly conservatory - not realising it must've been, like, 4 miles away! ^^;; It was raining too, and by the time I got there I was starving, but it was very nice, and the Botanical Gardens surrounding it were absolutely gorgeous. It brightened up just as I was getting there, and I stopped to do the White Water walk alongside the rapids on the way.

So in short, Niagara Falls is a bit of a racket, but I'm very pleased I got to see it. I have also mastered making tea in a coffee maker. And the hardest thing here is crossing the road. I never thought how ingrained it is to look *right* first, then left!

Tomorrow - Boston Worcester and sublimeparadigm! :D I arrive at 12noon, so I *really* hope I can sleep on the bus - don't want to zomb out on you, Jackie!

Love to all! Will check flist now (and attempt to check flights from Boston to Albuquerque... though the buying of *anything* is limited to cash. *sigh* Oh well, it'll work out somehow! ^^')

[Edit] Someone please spoil me for the ending of Ouran? I watched up to 20 then just couldn't anymore, for reasons that are so idiotic I won't go into them (unless asked, of course ;). But I want to know all the details of the Tamaki/Haruhi-ness, with the rest glossed over, thanks. ^^'

Been attempting to book hotel room for Sunday. Wasn't quite prepared for the fact that *actually* nowhere will accept my Maestro card. International my arse!

Oh well. If all else fails, I go round till I find a room and offer them cold, hard cash. -_-

Feel free to marvel at my lack of panic in situations like this, when the mere thought of getting on the plane fills me with absolute blind terror. Heh, thanks, brain.

Also bought a shiny laptop yesterday! o.o Now got to make sure I have all the relevant cables and all that. Don't really know where to start. ^^;;

A while back I remember mentioning about going to Plug tonight, and I'd still like to - anyone up for that? They have an indie room and a 90s cheese room, so I reckon it'll be cool. :)

Just booked my flight. It's slowly becoming more real. o.o

I'm leaving for Toronto on the 1st of October. (Yes, I am aware it's the wrong country. I'm just having a bigger adventure!) Typically, I have a number of Canadian friends, but none of them in that bit, so far as I know. Let me know if I'm wrong! ^^'

OK, so that was step one... now to figure out all those things I know nothing about, like insurance and the right documents and all that... Any help? Anyone? ^^;;

Damn, and I really want an mp3 of the Ouran ED. Such a great song. Anyone got it? *in begging mode tonight*