Party In The USA
December 7, 2009 | Filed under Travel
So I’ve been speaking to Stephanie, and I am seriously considering visiting America next year. Largely because I need a holiday badly, and I did an annual budget last night that saw me have $10,000 left over each year – half of which would go nicely on a month-long holiday halfway across the world.
Flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles via Air New Zealand (7 June 2010 to 3 July 2010) is $1133 (taxes included). I get four weeks annual leave each year. This is perfect. I’m already 95% convinced that I’m going to go, and travel around the west coast (and potentially go as far in as Texas/the two Dakotas). I’m being realistic – four weeks isn’t enough for me to get as far as the East Coast, but I can always save that for another trip.
To convince me that further 5%, I encourage all American readers of this blog to offer their couches for me to sleep on, and for everyone else to suggest places for me to go when I’m over there. And if you live on the East Coast and will travel to the West to meet me, I’ll give you cookies.
38 Responses to Party In The USA
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I’ve had such an urge to go to LA over the last few weeks, but alas, school shall eat up all of my funds, and require me to work the whole summer in order to pay for my second year. Aaaand, my parents aren’t in NYC until the end of July, so I wouldn’t be able to sneak off anyway. :( Sounds fun, though! I’m jealous that you get to travel so often. I have so many places I want to go.
Aisling on December 7, 2009 #
Haha well as Manda and I already lamented to you on Twitter, YOU SHOULD GO SEE THE EAST COAST :D If you did it another year, though, I would have a couch to offer as I’m getting an apartment in August.
Wherever you decide to visit, have fun! Definitely go see the San Diego Wild Animal Park. It’s looooveee. San Francisco is another must if you get the chance.
Ashley on December 7, 2009 #
As wonderful as Stephanie is, the vast majority of the cool Americans live over on the East Coast. It’s a pity it costs so much more to fly over there!
Also, Air NZ is the best way to fly on the cheap. Not that I’ve ever done so myself, but I’ve heard good things.
Darnielle on December 7, 2009 #
Oh dude. Stephanie doesn’t even live on the West Coast. Therefore, my statement holds even more merit! GO EAST!
Reply: It costs $600 more to go to the East Coast! My budget won’t hold up to that!
Darnielle on December 7, 2009 #
Well, if you visit the East Coast the year after next, I should be able to offer you a couch/space to sleep and stash your stuff if you decide to visit my city :D But the West Coast is beautiful too. Like Ashley said, you should definitely see San Francisco if you get the chance. It’s absolutely gorgeous :)
Manda on December 7, 2009 #
i’ll come :)
bobbi on December 7, 2009 #
Ohh, nice. My birthday is June 8. :3
If I get my own place by then, I would love to offer you some space to crash. ^^ Otherwise you either might have to settle for a couch for real, since we don’t have a whole lot of sleeping space around here. ^^;
Btw, if you decide to stop by here, I can always show you the nearby outlet mall if you feel like shopping. :3 I never really go there myself, but my mom said they have some nice things for good prices.
Noellium on December 7, 2009 #
As you can see, you would save a lot of money in the way of lodging if you just come to the east!
Stephanie on December 7, 2009 #
Why would you go see the Dakotas?!
I echo everyone who says you must see San Francisco (and LA). Las Vegas too, of course, though I’ve never been there, but I want to. And I would suggest Chicago, but you might not make it that far, and I probably won’t be here in the summer :p
Reply: I’m fairly touristy, and wouldn’t mind seeing Mount Rushmore. :P
Meg on December 7, 2009 #
I live the parents so no couch space =/ but I graduate in June and will be free until August (unless I go somewhere)! If you are in LA you can go up the Getty Museum, but I’m biased, haha. Also, Disneyland! the original. Up in northern CA there is San Francisco which is a city I’ve always liked visiting – good food, lots of history. There’s also Las Vegas in Nevada, but that’s if you’re into gambling / night clubs. The Grand Canyon is really not that far from there either.
The East Coast is beautiful too. I loved NYC. But I hear the best time to be over there is during the fall when the leaves change colors.
Either way, it’ll be fun!
marilyn on December 7, 2009 #
I live in the U.S. (Florida) and I’ve never even made it out to California.. the U.S. is a big place. It all depends on what you’re into. We have everything from out doorsy stuff (Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountains, Redwood forests) to big time bar/club scenes (LA/Miami/NY).
Michael on December 7, 2009 #
East Coast > West Coast, seriously. Still, I hear CA’s wonderful. I’ve never been to the West Coast before, but it might be better to spend your time in the States in CA, NV, and WA instead of traveling to places like Texas.
Chantelle on December 7, 2009 #
Everyone I know who’s been to LA told me that it sucks (including my brother), but I haven’t checked myself yet.
However I absolutely loved San Francisco and Austin (TX). I’m also planning on visiting Las Vegas (mainly because of Penn & Teller) and the Grand Canyon next year after my (other) brother highly recommended those to me.
And you should seriously consider going to New York as well. NY is absolutely brilliant and unique. It never gets boring for me to visit there, I’m going for the 7th time next year ;) Flights within in the US aren’t very expensive, only about 70-100$ or so – two years ago I did a round trip Düsseldorf – New York – Austin, TX, San Francisco – New York – Düsseldorf, altogether for like 800$.
adastra on December 7, 2009 #
I’ve never been to the West Coast, but I hear that the Redwood National Forest is a must see if you’re into that sort of thing. It might be hard, even with a month, for you to see all of what you want to see in one coast line.
But if you do visit the East Coast at some point, come to New England around early October. That’s peak for leaf coloring!
Amanda on December 7, 2009 #
Sure c’mon over the USA. We have cookies. :D You’ll have fun. But mostly, we have cookies.
Jenny on December 7, 2009 #
I can’t say as to whether the east coast is better than the west coast, since I’ve never been to the west coast, but I do rather like the east. If you ever take a notion to visit exciting Lex Vegas (what us nerdy, entertainment-deprived Lexington, KY locals call it), I could show you around town. I don’t know why you’d come here, though, unless you’ve never seen a movie theater, horses, and a smallish mall. :P
Sarah on December 8, 2009 #
You could come visit meeeee! I am in Portland, OR! WEST COAST WOOOOO!
Then after Portland you could visit Seattle, and then maybe Victoria BC because it is awesome and nice people live there. That’s what I’d recommend anyway.
Meggan on December 8, 2009 #
If you’re planning on seeing Texas, definitely hit up the big cities. Especially San Antonio and Austin. So much to do/see.
Sadly, I live on the east coast so I cannot offer you my couch. I am hoping to go home next summer, but that all depends on flight costs. So expensive these days, geez!
Lucy on December 8, 2009 #
If you go to Texas, visit Austin! It’s friggin’ sweet – nightlife like no other and live music everywhere always. There’s also tons to do in San Antonio. :D
Becky on December 8, 2009 #
Phooey!
I live in Canada so I won’t even be in the same country
But if you do come to Montreal.. look me up :D
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com on December 8, 2009 #
If I didn’t live in a dorm and had a couch to offer you, I would!
Shen-Shen on December 8, 2009 #
I’m not sure where I’ll be living by then (probably still here in Utah, maybe closer to downtown SLC), but you will have use of a couch or a futon if you want it or a hotel bed if I happen to be in Vegas or Wendover during that month (yay for free & cheap rooms every month!).
@adastra: Go see P&T. It is awesome. Plus you can meet them after the show. :)
Renee on December 8, 2009 #
Aw, well if you ever decide to come to the east coast, this New Yorker is willing to lend her couch! :D
Arwen on December 9, 2009 #
You can come crash on my couch for a night or two. My parents wouldn’t mind. We’re Chinese, so you’d fit in well XD
Danette on December 9, 2009 #
Just read what Meggan wrote and I deffo agree on trying to go to Canada. :P You could even see if it would be cheaper to fly into Vancouver, since the ferry across isn’t too expensive for a walk-on. Vancouver is gorgeous and… parts of the Island are gorgeous. If Victoria isn’t green by Victoria Day (May 24th) they QUITE LITERALLY paint it green for you. With grass paint. IT HAS HAPPENED.
Really pretty places. :)
Aisling on December 9, 2009 #
Because, I mean, if you’re ALREADY travelling that far, why not hit up 2 countries?
Aisling on December 9, 2009 #
Yes, I agree with Aisling – come to Vancouver! :D
You’ll have a great time in California though – I think that time of year is nice where you’ll be heading – not too hot, not too cold. Also, try to go sightseeing in LA with a local – it makes a big difference. (And if it works into your budget, don’t forget Disneyland! :P)
Chanel on December 10, 2009 #
Oh hey, let me know if you ever go to Vegas. I’ve got an extra bed, and we shall paint the town red. :D
Raisa on December 10, 2009 #
Wow that sounds like an awesome plan! I’m not slightly annoyed that I’m not going to the USA at the same time of year as you are, otherwise i would’ve suggested we meet up there instead of one of us hop the ditch ;) but if I end up helping my sister move there at around the time you’re going we’ll uhh… lend you a spare motel bed, haha.
Amanda on December 10, 2009 #
Sounds like a good place to spend your holiday! But what always surprises me (not only with you but with a lot of my co workers as well) is that everyone wants to take their 4 weeks off in the summer, leaving no room left for days off in case of emergencies etc. I never take the full 4 weeks at once I always leave days in my account to take at a later date just in case something comes up and I really need to have a day off.
Anyway, I think the U.S. is a great place to visit. Hopefully some day I will be able to go there. So I hope you find that 5% convincing (aka couches) you need and go for it :)
Chans on December 11, 2009 #
OMG! You have to come visit me! I’m right in the middle between LA and San Fran , on the way to Yosemite National Park, you can’t just skip over :P It’ll be so much fun and we’ll finally get to meet :D
Noemi on December 11, 2009 #
oh awesome. that’s a lot of money left over and you’re going to really enjoy yourself in the US of A! =) have fun!!
chervalier on December 13, 2009 #
I got all excited because I thought you were blogging about Miley’s song. (Yes, I do like that song)
That’s great news though! I like the East Coast more than the West Coast though. :P
Enzo on December 13, 2009 #
I don’t have a couch to lend or anything but if you’re there in the summer I live near San Francisco.
I think. Actually next summer I don’t really know what I’m doing yet. But usually I live near there, so I’m learning to show people around a bit. I suck at it. ^^;
Stephanie on December 14, 2009 #
Check out Airbnb for affordable night stays. It’s a cool site. ;)
Also: WEST COAST! Any plans for heading up north to the San Francisco area, or perhaps Portland?
Kyan Blue on December 14, 2009 #
Well if you find yourself with the time and the means to make it to North Alabama you’re welcome to crash with me!
Veronica on December 18, 2009 #
If you happen to make it near Chicago, let me know so we can go hang out!
Erin on December 24, 2009 #
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