Farewell DC, Hello NYC!

On Sunday we caught a bus to New York City! We had a two-story bus and we sat right at the very front so we had a great view the whole way.

Leaving DC

Only 154 miles to go...

The build-up at one of the many toll-booths along the way

We had good traffic most of the way, pity the traffic going the other way weren't so lucky. This was at a standstill for at least a kilometre.

Delaware Memorial Bridge

The view from New Jersey before going through the Lincoln Tunnel

The build-up going into the Lincoln Tunnel

Arriving on Manhattan, and after getting dropped at 28th street, we lugged our suitcases down and up (we went down the wrong side the first time) and then down and up the subway steps until we got to our hostel on 101st street. Our arms are still aching 2 days later! Our hostel is pretty good and it is in a nice area on the upper west side. We went for a walk after dropping our suitcases in our room and, four blocks from our hostel, the Broadway Fall Festival was taking place, spanning about 10 or so blocks. It reminded me of the Subi Street Fair.

Loving New York City already!

Day 5 in Washington DC

Saturday was our last full day in DC and we visited the last of the sights on our list.

A Stainless steel tree at the sculpture garden at the National Gallery of Art

Dorothy's ruby slippers from the Wizard of OZ at the Museum of American History

The Museum of Natural History

At the J. Edgar Hoover FBI building

Day 4 in Washington DC

Continuing on from yesterday, we stayed the night in Nick's dorm (they totally live up to the cliche of messy boys!) and then hung around until Nick had finished classes on Friday and then headed out for lunch. We went to Five Guys which is a burger place and, true to Nick and his roommates' word, they were the best burgers we have had the whole trip.

Nick's student accommodation he shares with 3 other guys (it's a pretty good set up)

We dropped the guys back at the house and the three of us continued on our tour of Maryland, heading to the University of Maryland which was really nice and then Nick drove us back to D.C. where we hung out for a bit and then said our goodbyes.

University of Maryland

Our plan had been to grab some dinner and have an early night but while eating dinner in the hostel, we met four guys from Melbourne and ended up talking and playing Xbox until about 2am.

Day 3 in Washington DC

On Thursday morning we visited the White House. It was kind of a let-down. I was expecting it to be...bigger.

The White House

Anyway, when Christie's sister Lisa was in Germany on exchange, she met Nick who lives in Baltimore, so we organised to catch a train there and spend a night in Baltimore. Nick and Tina, who also went to Germany on exchange, picked us up at Baltimore's Penn station and gave us the grand tour of one of the most dangerous cities in America. We saw everything, from the mansions to the ghetto houses directly across the road from said mansions. There are quite a few universities in the area and we drove through Nick and Tina's, Loyola.

The view over some of Baltimore from Capitol Hill

We had dinner at Shuckers on the water and then visited Nick's parents and pets. We then dropped Tina back at her dorm and headed to Murphy's which is the bar Nick works at and we had the whole place to ourselves for a while which was cool as I got control over the juke -box and we played beer pong (which I totally sucked at!). Funnily enough, my very first ball made it into a cup but for the rest of the night I did not make one! Murphy's didn't start getting busy until 11:30 (PM on a Thursday?!) and we stayed until close (2am).

The view from Shuckers

Tina and myself at Shuckers

Pete and Nick
(Pete is Nick's cousin and also the bartender at Murphy's)

Nick kicking butt at beer pong

Day 2 in Washington DC

I'm sorry I've fallen behind with this. I'll do my best to catch up before we head to NYC.

So our second day in DC was Wednesday and we headed straight to Arlington Cemetery while we could still use our hop-on hop-off bus passes. We then drove past The Pentagon but you are not allowed to take photos of it. You can see on the side of the building where the brick colour changes for where they had to rebuild one side after September 11th. We did spend some time at the Pentagon City Fashion Centre though (not to sound insensitive or anything but that is where the bus stopped).

Arlington Cemetery

We then caught the bus to the Washington Monument and then walked to the World War Two Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial.

Washington Monument

World War Two Memorial

The view back to the Washington Monument from the WWII Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial

We also paid a visit to the International Spy Museum which was fun.

We had dinner at an awesome pasta place called Vapino which is a European chain that has started opening in the US (there is one in Aust but it is in Brisbane). Basically you get a card when you enter and then whenever you order something, you swipe the card and then at the end you pay the balance. You can go up and order your food and watch them make it. It was so tasty :D That probably doesn't sound that interesting but with the food choices here, it was a highlight!

At Vapino

First Day in Washington DC

Tuesday was our first full day in DC. It was also my baby sister's 21st birthday!!! Big shout-out to Em even if this post is a little late.

Anyway, since that is old news, Christie and I did what now seems to be routine for us and caught one of the hop-on hop-off buses. Our ticket is valid for two days so we will split up the sights.

The U.S. Capitol building

The American Indian Museum

The Smithsonian Visitors Centre. AKA the 'Castle'

The famous and stunning Washington Willard Hotel

We also went through Georgetown but it looked mostly like all the normal shops we see elsewhere so we stayed on the bus.We headed back to the hostel and hung out with people, then headed to The Hard Rock Cafe for dinner and cocktails. We were later joined by Kenny from the hostel (also from Perth).

Christie's cocktail which came with Pop Rocks!

Bye Bye Chicago, Hello Washington DC

Monday. Not much to say for today, nor do I have a photo for you. Today we left Chicago. Lets all cry.

We arrived in Washington D.C. and then at our hostel and we were just a little skeptical about the place. It's in a bit of an empty area but if we walk a few blocks we get into Chinatown. We hung out in an Irish bar(in Chinatown) for a little while and got some food. Not knowing our way around yet we just went back to the hostel and hung out with everyone there for the night.

We shall see what Tuesday brings.

Much love xoxox