Boston, NY then home again....

Well I know it's been a while since I blogged again- intermittent internet again!

Boston is a great city- I had such an amazing time there! The people I was staying with were so good to me. They took me out, fed me and entertained me with some interesting sports such as Candlestick bowling and American Football!

The city was brilliant- very nice and friendly as well as beautiful. There's some incredible architecture and some lovely parks. I didn't get a chance to meet with anyone for my research unfortunately, but it didn't stop me having fun and seeing as much as I could!

So from here I went onto NY for my last few days! I met Becky at the airport and we have had a lovely couple of days exploring some more of NY. We have been to the Museum of Natural History, the Central Park Zoo, done a lot of shopping and eat a lot of nice food!

Bt now it's time to go home- I can't believe it's the end of my trip! I have had such an amazing time!! I have seen and done so much, and met so many lovely people that I feel like England was a long time ago. But now it's time to go home and I'm excited! I can't wait to get back to normal life, be with the people I love and take my clothes out of a wardrobe every morning! Bliss :)

Thank you for listening to my ramblings! I've enjoyed showing you America from my small perspective.

Philadelphia- the home of American independence!

I can't believe that I have nearly done my week in Philly already! Seems like just yesterday that I as updating on South Carolina!

So I have been in Philly for a while now, exploring and sniffing around to see what cultural events and tourism they have on offer. Amongst other things, I have experienced the Lights and Liberty audio-visual light show, taken the bus tour, gone up the 'Rocky steps' from the first Rocky movie, seen the Eastern Penitentiary- scary building!- and walked along the Penn Landing harbour. It has been glorious weather if a little chilly and autumnal, although through looking at the weather gadgets on my computer I can see that it has been very similar weather in Nottingham!

I have learned a lot about American history from being in this city- this is the home of American indepenence through the creation of the constitution and congress etc etc so it has been interesting to see how this country was shaped and formed from a host of colonial towns to a country. It is interesting to see how much of this forms the tourism industry here though. The main sites to explore are based on this theme- the historical buildings and museums to the memory of. Thats not saying that these are the only things to see, just that it seems to be the main reason that tourists are assumed to come here.

I found it all very interesting and educational, but I actaully have preferred visiting the local neighbourhood areas and seeing the smaller, more intimate side of Philly. I was pleased to see that the tour bus takes you through these areas as part of the heritage of the city, however I think that much of this might be based around the fact that it also covers sites from films such as the Sixth Sense!! Still fun though :)

So off to Boston on Thursday! My last research city! Can't believe I am at this point already- after taking so long to prepare for this trip, it is now nearly over. But I'm ready to come home. Thats one of the good elements of travelling; you get to appreciate your home.

LA and South Carolina

Haven't had internet connection for a while so now I do, I thought I'd better do another update!

Last week I was in LA, well Pasadena to be precise. Pasadena is a great city- cultural, good shopping, nice night life- I had a great week! I spent the week exploring the city, seeing downtown LA, visiting Venice Beach and going up into the mountains- bear country! So vast and wild- beautiful!

I managed to get a meeting with the Director of the Cultural Affairs Department whilst I was there. Pasadena has a very interesting cultural plan that they have been working to over the past 3 years. It's called the Cultural Nexus Plan and its got some good objectives and points that are very interesting to research. Going to take me a while to read through it all though!

I also had a good couple of nights spent out in Hollywood. I saw the walk of fame, the hand prints outside the Chinese theatre and went for a drink at the Viper Room. All really fun to see considering how famous it all is! And of course I got to see the Hollywood sign! With things like that it is almost unbelieveable to think that you're actually seeing it! No famous people though only places. I expected to see an A list star on every corner but alas not!

So from here I went over to South Carolina- first to Columbia where I met with the CEO of the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Director of the Cultural Council. I had a very interesting meeting with them, discussing their cultural and tourism plans. I also had fun at the State Fair! Sooooooo much food!

Then from here I headed down to Myrtle Beach which is where I am now! So nice down here. It's hot and sunny with a beautiful beach. So I'm going to enjoy my last week of sunshine before I head off to Philadelphia and wintertime!

On Sunday I went to the Seacoast Vineyard Church here which was great- so good to be back at Church again, and then went out for lunch and to the putt putt course! Thats crazy golf to you and me. I started off well at first but I'm afraid to say it went downhill from then on!

I'm now spending a couple of days resting and enjoying the sunshine before I head off on Thursday. I'm actually looking forward to winter weather! I'm english, I need some cold :)

So for now it's sun and surf, but winter is on the way- I'm looking forward to coming home now! 3 weeks to go! Then it's the run up to Christmas, sorry for those that find that scary, but thats a nice thought for me :)

I'll update you all again when I have explored Philly again...

San Francisco to Vegas to San Diego!

I have not had a chance to update this for a while, so thought it was about time I did!

The last few days in San Francisco were good. I moved from Martha's to one of the youth hostels close to Market Street in Downtown- my first youth hostelling experience! They organised various trips so I took one around the city that also went out to the Muir woods- they are so beautiful and I got to see some wildlife. It was only deer and chipmunks but it was still good. I also came across this plaque which in case you can't read it, says: Here in this grove of enduring Redwoods, preserved for posterity, members of theUnited Nations conference on International Organization, met on May 19th, 1945. To honor the memory of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, thirty-first president of the United States, Chief architect of the United Nations and apostle of lasting peace for all mankind.

Thought that was rather appropriate for me being on the Roosevelt Memorial Scholarship! Made me very proud.

I also took a trip out to Alcatraz and saw all around the cells and the island. So interesting. What a location for a tourism opportunity! No other city in the world has that! It was quite intimidating to see butso special that the city has realised the potential in it and kept it up and running as a national park and tourist spot. It is now run by the Forest and Parks people as it has a wealth of sea birds and plants.

After this I took a walk down to Fishermans Wharf and saw all the activity going on around there, including the Sealions! Very bizarre to see so many in the middle of a built up harbour area! Very loud too! I also managed to see the house used in the film Mrs Doubtfire which was a personal achievement for me!

From San Francisco I moved onto Las Vegas- boy was that a shock! I knew it would be a place like no other but it was still shocking to see just how much!! My brother came out to join me while I was in Vegas so that as great- I think I got to see alot more because he was fresh off the plane from England and raring to go! We did walk a little too much int he first couple of days so we allowed ourselves some chill out time by the pool to recover.

Vegas is a weird mixture of so many things. Everything you could want or desire is available to you- in fact you don't even have to go looking, things are offered to you at every turn! It is a city that I generally could break down into 2 experiences- gambling and entertainment. They are each very strong elements that create the vibe around Vegas, but neither could survive without the other. This is true for the casinos too- they cannot survive without each other so have created links and joint marketing that helps to boost the tourism for the city. Even the individual advertising boards at each casino were advertising other's shows or entertainment. They truly are working together to create the experience of the whole city. Then again I understand that most of the casinos are owned by just a few people/companies so it doesn't come as such a shock then! Still it creates more of an all encompassing effect that benefits the tourists and companies alike. Joined up thinking on things allows more information to get through which is very helpful.

Then from Vegas I headed off to San Diego which is where I am now! I am staying with a lovely couple who are parents of my good friend Carmen. They have been so wonderful to me already, looking after me, feeding me and even allowing me to drive their car! That will be fun :)

I am now working out my plan of action for this week before I head off on Thursday to LA! I can't believe that I am already half way through my trip- it took me so long to research and plan it all, and it is flying by! This is such a great opportunity- one that I hope to inspire others to apply for!! If anybody who reads this is interested, just ask :)

From Seattle to San Francisco!

Well I've now said good bye to Seattle and hello to San Francisco! Got here on thurs but can't say that the start of my time here went off to a good start! I didn't know there was more than one Comfort Inn by the airport which is where I was staying for the first night, so I went to the wrong one by accident! I then ordered a taxi to take me to the correct one, but he took me to another worng one!! I finally ended up at the right place but the room wasn't very nice and the internet didn't work :( Also a couple of presents that I'd bought in Seattle got broken in my bag on the flight! Not a good start!! However, once I'd left, I got to potter around the city and saw the Yerba Buena Arts Centre where they are also holding an arts and music festival- I am currently trying to organise a meeting to chat to them about this festival for my research. I then got to Martha's on the Fri night and slept really well. The next day we went sightseeing together. It was so nice to have someone else to visit things with!

I've so far visited the Crissy Fields where there are views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. I also walked around the Palace of Fine Arts and tried to look around the Letterman Digital Arts Centre but don't think it is actually somewhere you can walk around! Appears to be a collection of office buildings set around a pretty park- no digital arts though!! I am going to ride the cable cars today, and just wander around some different areas, then tomorrow I am going on a tour of the city and Muir Woods ith all the redwood trees which should be nice! On Wed I am doing a tour of Alcatraz so that will be interesting!

Think I'll do another blog once I've visited these as I'm sure I'll have more to say then!!

Very well rested in Seattle...

Seattle, I would like you all to know, is a great city. I arrived on my flight 2 hours late due to a problem with one of the wings onthe plane (?!) but the minute I got here I felt relaxed and happy. It's alot slower moving than New York, and alot easier to navigate your way around!



I am staying with the most lovely family- Rachelle, Paul and their two wonderful little girls Eden (who swears I'm Maid Marion but that I'm keeping it quiet) and Kate. They are looking after me so well and really helping me to see what the normal american way of life is all about. They have also introduced me to lots of people and art events that are going on in the local community- we are in Fremont which is a very arty and creative area. They have a troll living under one of the bridges, a statue of Lenin that they dress up for Christmas each year, and are preparing at the moment for a big lantern festival in a couple of weekends time. I helped out and made a lantern of my own :)



I have visited the Seattle Centre via the monorail, which has the International Fountain and the Space Needle which just looks fantastic on the skyline of the city. Seattle has less skyscrapers than NY so the buildings that are tall really stick out! Unfortunatley I haven't been able to see Mt Rainier yet as it has been just too cloudy, but other than that, I am loving my time here.



Seattle has a fantastic life to it, and I especially like the Pike Place Market which has a life of it's own! I will do more exploring of that kind tomorrow which I'm sure will be alot of fun! The family also took me to an event at an old Motel that is due to be torn down. For now, it have been turned into a place for art with each wall and room being covered with art work or installations- it was amazing to see! Oh and I got to try my first twinkie bar that night too :)



I have also met with Tracey Wickersham of the Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau- we had a great meeting chatting through their various strategies and ways in which they work and market Seattle. I have been quite inspired by the different events and am researching more and more into this Geotourism idea which appears to be such a fantastic way to bring a city or area to life for it's visitors and local alike.



I am to meet with two people from the Mayors Office of Cultural Affairs on Tues so that will also help give me more insight into the ways in which this city promotes itelf.



I plan on my last day here to take a tour of the island of Bainbridge and walk along the waterfront of Seattle. I would love to go to the boat houses made famous in Sleepless in Seattle but I'm just not sure I'll get the time. Maybe another trip is on the horizon...

New York calling!

Well I made it here- a big relief to get the first bit of the journey right- bodes well for the future I think :)

I'm staying with 2 lovely people called Danella and Sal- they have really done well in putting me up and looking after me. Have educated me on the subway system and local etiquette, as well as taking me out for Korean food and a late night gig! Great gig but unfortunately my body was telling me it was 7am and trying to shut me down with sleep. Still, all good.

I spent my first full day in NY getting myself a new mobile as mine doesn't work out here, and visiting the MoMa (Museum of Modern Art). They have free admission to everyone on Friday afternoons which is great! Such a good idea as it means that alot more people visit than might have otherwise, and with a greater variety. The place was packed. The artwork was fantastic- all my favourite works and artists including Warhol, Monet, Lichtenstein, Pollock and even Martin Creed (Ali/Dei- I took pictures just for you :). Also got to see Yves Klein's blue painting which I love- had a grin on my face basically all the way round!

I have also toured around a bit getting my bearings, so have got to see Times Square, the Rockafella Centre and 5th avenue. Haven't done the Empire State, Chrysler building, Statue of Liberty or the Met yet, but HAVE done Central Park, Grand Central Station and the Lincoln Centre! Will cover the rest over the next few days and the final week of my journey when I head back here again.

In terms of events etc, I have been fortunate enough to be in New York whilst NY Fashion week is on so it's been interesting seeing how this event fits into the scheme of things and how the New Yorkers interact with it. I have also been to one of the biggest arts and crafts markets in NY- the 22nd Annual Autumn Crafts Festival run by the American Concern for Arts and Craftsmnship Org. Have chatted to a few people about how these events are run and how they are supported, so am now busy typing up notes and formulating ideas for futher research. Have been introduced to the new Geotourism idea that is being developed at the moment so am also researching that and will be looking to see whether cities are currently developing this kind of strategy or not.

Will be moving out of Manhatten tomorrow, and going to stay with some other friends in Brooklyn for my last couple of days here, so that will be nice too- get a different view. New York is an amazing city if not a little daunting when you are on your own! Still, so amazing to just be here experiencing it all.

My next city will be Seatlle so I'll write again when I have more to fill you in on!