Well life's a road that you travel on, there's one day here and the next day gone....life is a highway, I wana ride it all night long!

The road trip was about to begin and we were excited.  There was a slight delay in loading our luggage. A stupid bin lorry had pulled up the street and completely blocked the road, not only that but 3 other cars thought it would be a good idea to pull up behind it so there was just a block...idiots!! As you can imagine it was just a nightmare getting out onto the road.

We put the address into our friend mr googlemaps. A quick stop at walmart to stock up on snacks, it was in such a strange area one place we drove passed was called 'the booby trap' haha. Easily amused! The storms hit and as we were sitting in the car park waiting to go into walmart. As we waited for the rain to die down a lightening bolt hit right in front of us. I think my heart skipped a beat...it was seriously one of the scariest things ever! As soon as the storm passed we got our stock and we were on our way. New Orleans here we come!

We happened to drive through four storms on our journey. They were horrendous...the windscreen just looked like shattered glass. Slow speeds all the way...we took the safe option.  I wasn't going to be one of the idiots speeding in the fast lane. Can you believe we passed four major crashes, one after another. They were the morons trying to be clever and speed. That's what happens to idiots.

We had to stop to get some gas after a little while. Get this...I actually had to ask a guy how to fill the petrol tank!  How embarrassing. That's a thing in my life I have never done before. Everything is backwards here though...you have to pay before filling up. So basically you have to guess how much it takes to fill up(so give them more than you think it will cost) then if it's not that much you go back in and get the change. Stupid in my opinion but there you go...I can't change anything haha.

Our plan was to drive until about 9pm and stop at a hotel in Madison Florida. So Liz phoned up and booked us in...plan sorted or so we thought. She'd only gone and booked a hotel in Madison, Wisconsin a completely different state which was 20 hours away. She called the woman back to cancel who was in hysterics at the situation. Haha. We were back to square one...No where to stay.

Our next plan was to stop at an RV campsite for the night in our car. Liz got on the phone again to phone the RV rest stop. She asked if they were open and do they take cars haha. I was pissing myself. They said no...obviously. So we carried on with driving thinking of more options.

We stopped at a rest stop for the loo and all I heard coming from another cubicle were very strange noises...and not only that it was two girls. Ewwww, why did I have to be the one to hear it. Grossed out!

The drive continued involving some

UFO sightings (well very similar to it), shooting stars and the cheesiest but funniest love radio station with Daffney...a girl wanted to tell her boyfriend that she loved him for the first time on air. If that wasn't bad enough when asked how long they had been together she said two weeks. What the hell!! How can someone know they love someone after two weeks. It gets worse... they even had a song and it was 'Lean on me'. She was asked why this was their song, and she replied 'he likes to sing it to me'. Well that was it we had the giggles for ages. If any guy ever chose to sing that to me, and god help them if they did, I would probably punch them.

It was getting late and I was getting tired so our only option for some sleep was to pull over at a rest stop with 24 hour security and sleep in the car...classy but I must say it was much more comfortable than the last place we stayed. We were proper little travellers roughing it. My little red snuggie (which has been with me all through my travels) kept me warm, not that I needed it though...it was BOILING, all night!

We woke up lovely and fresh...haha I don't think so, I felt absolutely mingin, but we had a long way to go until shower time and fresh smells again.  A few hours of driving and it was time to refuel again. This time I thought I had it right, Liz went to prepay and I waited to fill the tank. I didn't think I could actually get it wrong twice...I tried pressing for fuel and nothing was happening.  The lady was shouting at me from the window, 'pull the leaver up pull it up!!'. I cluelessly looked at her.  I couldn't see a bloody leaver!! We were just getting nowhere, she just kept shouting the same thing over and over. Instead of shouting at me why didn't she just come out and help...idiot. It took about 10 minutes but I got there in the end.

'Sweet home Alabama' blasted through the speakers as we passed through the state.  We stopped at yet another walmart to get a few bits and bobs before continuing through Mississippi, Louisiana to finally arrive at New Orleans. We found it without any issues. We are definitely getting better at this travelling thing. I should think so after 7 weeks. Hehe. We did have a small bit of difficulty finding our hostel though...with all the one ways and traffic in New Orleans it didn't surprise me. We drove down the street our hotel was on about 3 times...didn't spot it once. I got a bit panicky as we were driving 'round...most buildings were boarded up and it was quite an abandoned area. My first thought was: crap! What have we got ourselves into.

We called the hostel, jo and flo's, and he guided us to it. I instantly felt better after talking to our host. He was the most adorable man ever...if all New Orleans people are like him I will LOVE it here. He made us instantly feel at home.

The place was really cute and homely, it was a huge step up from the last dive we were in.  We did some chilling and made a wrap to line or stomachs before getting ready to explore the nightlife of the French quarter. Ooh la la.

We got pretty drunk quickly with our pre drinking session. It must have hit me because of being so tired, but we were crazy and still went out. We had a ride into town and hit a few jazzy bars. The area we were had bars where people were sitting and socialising which we were too drunk to do, we needed a dancefloor. We walked around and bumped into a bachelor party, (all mingers) who took us to another bar and bought a few drinks but the night wasn't really going anywhere. We were way too tired to wander so we got a taxi home and went to beddy byes.

We woke up nice and fresh... well slightly, and we were off for round two. A nice fry up went down nicely before getting our glad rags on and party our way down Bourbon Street. First we had a hilarious FaceTime

session with miss Jodie saladino. She will always put a smile on your face with her stories. I was in tears.

On the way out we passed a gay guy on the street who was completely rat arsed.  It was 12pm I mean really? Already? He told us to smile and asked us to join him doing some jäger shots, after declining the offer we continued on route to party central. The NFL game had started, new Orleans vs Texas. Although we are loving Texas right now we wanted a Jets win so it would be buzzing out! The streets were empty during the game...it was like an abandoned street, quite eery. It was weird. It's such a cute, pretty place though...little quaint shops and horse and carriages roam the streets...its picturesque.

To watch the game we joined a group of locals in what was definitely a gay bar.  We got the beers in ready to watch the game. Will was the barmans name...he only answered to Wilamina though. Sound familiar Wilamina Cockins? Oh how we miss you. Haha. Watching the game was slightly confusing we had no idea what was actually happening... so yes...we googled the rules of American football.  We thought we were right pros by the end of it. During a break one woman in the bar walked up to another and said 'honey you don't need all that on show!' talking about her flab...it was so hard for me to contain my laughter. If someone had said that to me I would not be happy!

We continued on our bar crawl and were stopped by some bouncers and were told we can't pass unless we enter their bar... Haha. Everyone was hammered already in there...it seems everyone just gets smashed in New orleans. Our kinda place. We did feel slightly out of place as we were completely sober. Our resolution... why not join them? Haha. We also looked slightly over dressed so we went to get changed.  On the way back to party we passed the same gay guy again. He was even more drunk than before...not sure how that was possible but he was. He had exactly the same conversation with us, he had no idea that we had passed him before. It was dejavu for us. We declined his offer again and went to catch the end of the game.

We found a cool little bar which was packed and we were enticed in. We got some beers  and joined the locals in supporting their team. There were free shots called Cactus coolers for every touch down. Wooop! I wasn't complaining. There was a huge roar of cheers when the jets scored a touchdown taking them into the lead. I can't describe the atmosphere, it was just insane. Apparently this happens every weekend. It is their Sunday routine! Let me move here please! I friking love it!

Well the saints won so there were shots all round. The atmosphere got even better. It's like an international rugby day at home but 10 times better. Now thats something I never thought I'd say.

It was still early so we went to get some food at Pat Obriens.  We tried some alligator bites. I recommend trying... it is de-lic-ious!!!! Of course we had some cocktails to wash it down. I got their speciality drink...the hurricane.

The place was buzzing now...the streets were full. There were jazz bands playing, dancers in the street, lots of cheering...I seriously couldn't stop smiling. I got a free ride on a bull(a mechanical one of course)in the next bar. I surprisingly did quite well. I was impressed with myself although I'm paying for it today...my thighs are in agony. Ouch!

The next bar we entered was jam packed...even in the beer garden out the back. This is where we met Bo Black...a member of the Fijian embassy haha. He told us to call the embassy when we get to Fiji and ask for him. Not really sure why we would need to call him...just to say hi maybe? Haha.

Some Texans graced us with their presence in the next place. We tried the famous hand-grenades here.  They were not nice. I swapped mine with one of the Texans. He had a slushy one, it was slightly nicer. I was freezing in there so he offered me his jersey. I didn't decline haha. The only reason i took it was for a picture though. It wasn't the winning teams jersey but it was cool...I wanted to steal it.

In a karaoke bar we met some Irish guys. They were awesome...but what Irish guys aren't. They were a good laugh. We danced the night away with them. They took us to a place where an awesome band were playing. The lead singer was amazing but she was definitely on coke or something. She looked crazy. They did play lady gaga- you and I though. Me and Liz were singing along at the top of our lungs...luckily the band were louder I think people might have evacuated the building.  We lasted until 3.30am pretty good going don't ya think?

Well...after a solid 12 hours of drinking I can officially say I got bourbon faced on s*** street sorry got s***faced on bourbon street...you knew what I meant! It was 100% one of the best days if not the best day of my life.  

Well not so fresh this morning. I had the worst headache and was sat on the floor rocking back and forth in my towel. I would have fitted in perfectly in a psychiatric home. Liz was out cold...I was so jealous. It went away after lots of water, but I still did not feel great. Liz made a lovely fry up for us and we went to do some exploring of the French Quarter.

On our way there we passed a guy with a pet snake. Not any snake it was 12 foot long...and he said that it was small. Small? Is he real...the snake was huge. It was one of 15 as well. He had 15 snakes this size in his house. Sounds like a nightmare to

me. I was brave and held it though. I have never touched let alone held a snake before. I was scared...but they feel amazing not slimy like i first thought. We chatted with the guy for a while then made our way to the shops.

We posted a few bits and bobs home. Simone should be getting some surprises very soon :). Everywhere is just so pretty...I don't think I can express enough how much I love this place. I was struggling walking around so we grabbed a beverage at a corner cafe and made the decision to go and see a psychic. There's a small square where people play music and do Palm readings. It's basically a free reading and if you're happy with it you can donate money...so we thought why not?

I went first and omg...she was spot on. I keep my emotions to myself but am good listener, she picked up on the fact that I fall for bad guys...true and am way too naive when it comes to guys, which is sooo true. I won't go on but there was so much more. Oh and apparently I will have three children...can't see that myself but we will see haha. Liz was next and I've never seen her so nervous. Her reading was spot on to... She's very dominant, has a strong bond with her family and has an inner b**** which needs to come out sometimes. Also she will be married twice,  have three kids and will raise someone else's child. Haha. She was told for the first marriage to marry a rich guy to at least get something out of it. She didn't realise but that is soooo Liz it made me laugh.

Back at the hotel now for a chilled evening before our drive to Texas in the morning. I can't wait to party with the cowboys. Liz has already fallen off the bed so I can see this being a funny, entertaining evening.

In the words of Bruno Mars- this ones for you and me...living out our dreams, we are right where we should be! A fitting day song don't you think.

Well I will hit you with an update after our visit to the wild west.

Yeeee-haaaa

J.L xxxx