A belated Happy Easter! :)

I FINALLY got to eat the creme eggs that I've been saving at the bottom of my bag since the beginning of the trip. I'd almost forgotten how good real chocolate can be. Totally worth the wait and thank-you Mum :)

There was a little bit of drama yesterday before getting the bus to Miami, as unfortunately our taxi just didn't show up on time and when it eventually did, we had 10 minutes to complete what turned out to be a 20 minute ride to our bus. We turned up 10 minutes late and the bus was no where to be seen. I don't think I've ever panicked so much and the realisation dawned on us that we had no plan B and we were literally just stuck... However, I think we may have had a little intervention from above, as when we were about to leave to head back to the hostel, we saw the bus we needed to catch (by sheer luck!) turning in, 15 minutes late. We were both on the verge of tears. PHEW.

In utter disbelief we arrived in Miami just in time to dump our bags at the hostel and get back to watch the Miami Heat vs Detroit Pistons basketball game. It was really good fun and all those things you see in TV programmes and in films that you think they add for extra effect, actually happen. They had a kiss cam, dance cam, some giant McDonalds chips wandering around and dancing with a Big Mac and the team Mascot. There was a court side DJ and cheer leaders who did two rather provocative dances - considering children were watching! - and big screens that told you when to chant, cheer and boo in order to distract the opposing team. It was all like a big show to be honest but it meant you didn't get bored in the millions of time outs and stoppages :p Heat won 98-75(ish) which was even better, so the atmosphere leaving was great! I definitely prefer basketball to football (sorry Grandad!)

After the game we grabbed some pizza from a 'Groovey's Pizza' and just chilled in the room. We're not sure what to make of this hostel yet since we feel really young here and were greeted by someone saying 'Welcome to Sin City'. Lovely.

Also check this out:
http://www.dutch-man-walking.blogspot.com/
My friend Pieter is keeping a blog about his adventures on the Appalachian Trial in the US. It should prove a very interesting read :)

We finally got some ribs

And they were AMAZING. We went to Smokey Bones Bar and Fire Grill and had to share a meal between us because the portions were so good. I'v been craving ribs since Nashville (we couldn't get into the places that sold them there because we're not 21 ><) so that probably helped to make them extra tasty.

Apart from that all we've done today is browse the supermarket across the road and sleep. Those over night Megabus rides really seem to take it out of us. It's a shame that we're not here for longer - the hostel is really nice, has a like a mini beach and a pool and the owner is really helpful and friendly. I mean it's a proper touristy area and I wouldn't recommend spending ages here if you're not planning on doing the whole Disney World thing, but for a couple of days to just chill it'd be pretty nice.

Proper looking forward to Miami and the BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEACH.

Coca Cola World is WEIRD.

Sorry for the two day lapse, we've just had a very lazy two days in Atlanta!

We started off Thursday by doing some washing. I never thought I would be excited about doing washing, but I'd managed to get to the point that the only clean clothes I had were the ones I was wearing. I got extra excited to discover that it only costed $2. Yay for not having to look like a tramp anymore!

In the afternoon we went to Coke World with Pieter and Brent (from Holland and Atlanta) from the hostel. It was an interesting experience, startinng off with an over-enthusiastic south american tour guide attempting to crack a series of un-funny jokes before we watched this film that is definitely designed to brainwash children. The tasting room was fun though, there were coke products from all over the world, but I wouldn't say that the whole experience was worth $16. For anyone visiting Atlanta, apparently the aquarium is amazing but we couldn't really afford $35 :/

Once back at the hostel we just played cards and chilled for the evening. Suzie from the hostel made us all hot dogs for tea which was lovely and those of us under 21/who weren't interested in going to an old lady strip club stayed in and watched Coach Carter, until the others got back and told us all sorts of weird and wonderful stories...

I also got into an interesting conversation with a few people about global development, injustice etc. Kinda cool to be inspired by people from different parts of the world and find out that you hold similar views! :)

Friday was pretty much more of the same, we played cards in the morning with some of the lads and then headed out to a real life american shopping mall with Pedro (from Brazil). I got a MASSIVE ice cream for lunch which was really yummy and managed to last about 4 hours wandering around the shops. Considering I'm not a fan shopping, I was rather impressed that I lasted so long. Plus I got some cool new converse because I'm already SICK of wearing my flipping walking boots.

Back at the hostel we played cards AGAIN (I said it was a lazy few days!) had tea and just chilled out for the evening until we had to leave for our bus at 10.30.

Even though we didn't really get up to much in Atlanta I really enjoyed it, I'd defo recommend the hostel (Woodruff Inn/Atlanta International House) and we met loads of really great people :) We also found out that Pedro is heading down to Miami when we are so we already have someone to hang out with there :)

We've not been in Orlando long but the hostel is pretty cool! It seems we've had our room upgraded for free (we now have 4 beds and a fridge) AND we got discount for it being the holidays or something. So not a bad start at all. Currently trying to convince Aimée that we should go to the magic lights parade tonight at Disney World. I don't think I'm going to succeed.