Apologies for the long delay in doing by blog, I have had little time to do it what with all the travelling on our mini-bus. So here goes.

Saturday 8th May - After a relaxed start to the day, I finally left the room, paid my check and left the luggage at the hotel for a while enabling me to get some food. Catching the subway and walking to the hostel was hot tiring and sweaty work. Not only that but the hostel was difficult to find; not being helped by a parked van. Got to the hostel just before 1400 (check in was at 1600) so went and sat in Central Park watching softball as well as people watching. First time in a hostel, and to be honest, I would be reluctant to stay in another one. Counting down the hours until the morning.

Sunday 9th May - Despite being in bunk beds, I slept okay with 4 other felow members. Met the others in the group in the hostel kitchen, they all seem okay. After signing a few forms and filling some in, we packed our luggage into the trailer and set out for Philidelphia leaving NY using the George Washington Bridge. I could not help but think as we passed New Jersey and the turnpike of The Sopranos. After finally getting to Phili, we stopped in Paris to see the Liberity Bell ("National Tresure") which was good. Stopped at a local restaurant and had their famous "Cheese-steak" which was very nice and would not hesitate to have again. Finally got to our campsite and pitched the tent, which seemed rather easy, after being shown by Reza, our tour leader. I must say as much as I liked New York, it feels nice to be out of New York away from the commerical side, the close proximity of building, the hustle and bustle etc.; most of all, to actually see some green landscape. It was in interesting to hear that most americans live on the edges of the states, therefore meaning that the middle is barren. I'm missing home at times.

Monday 10th May - We camped overnight about an hour outside Washington DC, in a lovely campsite with sauna, pool and hot tub. Throughout the night, I woke up numerous times shivering but ultimately got the sleep needed. After being told the option by Reza yesterday evening, I decided to the catch the metro bus to 'College Park Station" and only had to wait a few minutes for the train into central DC in 40 minutes, Their train network is very effective, clean and tidy compared to ours back in England. I got off halfway between Capitol Hill and Washington Monument. I was very impressed with America's capital; lovely buildings, clean, spacious and not the commerical aspects as was seen in NY. Washington DC was purposely built to be the capital and no building can be taller then Washington Monument. I saw Capitol Hill, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, National Archives and the FBI Building. I only went and forgot though where the Decleration of Independance was stored, although I later heard that the writing was barely visible. I did purchase a replica of the Decleration as a souvenir as an after-thought. Walking around DC had me feeling very tired so I was glad when I was back at the campsite so got to bed early as its going to be an early start tomorrow.

Tuesday 11th May - After these relatively few short days, I must say I am getting fed up with living out of a bad and having to get things out to get the desired piece of clothing. I awoke at 0650 to leave 0730 but we finally left at 0830; its the loading up again of everything that takes its time. Today was a long day of driving, driving through the Blue Ridge Mountains which we found out continues all the way down to the Georgia State. I cannot remember if I took any pictures but it was odd seeing hills, trees and greenery in America I found. At one of our rest stops, we stopped at a petrol station; rednecks and Lynyrd Skynyrd music gave the game away. We finally got to a campsite that was 300 miles plus from Nashville, our intended destination. Upon arrival, we were warned about the presence of bears smelling our food in our tents.

I shall continue up to the latest day in the coming days.

Love to you all, Jonathan