Las Vegas Baby! the FUN part, part 2 :)

I was pretty fucked up at first becasue of the thing that happened with all my stuff (part 1) but I decided to enjoy Las Vegas to the fullest! (I think if this would happen to me before I spent 3,5 months in the USA I would just break down and cry all night, so thank youuu USA for changing my attitude!)

As I wrote earlier- our dear friends from L.A. Pat and Mat (see? :D haha like the fairy-tale) were in Las Vegas at the same time as we did so we decided to spend the last night together! And it was the BEST idea ever :)

As long as I cope with the theft, girl put their dresses and make-up on to get ready for Las Vegas fun! :) And because of the fact that I had nothing but my dress that I was wearing and the flip-flops that I was wearing there were some jokes on me to lighten up the atmosphere like : "Hey Alice, what dress are YOU wearing?"  and "Hey Alice could you lend me your earrings? And what about your lipstick?" We had pretty fun with that! :D

As the girls got ready and I made call to every possible emergency line we went to the hotel where Patrik and Matty waited for us. And it was true what Matty told us before- In Las Vegas everything looks so close, but it really isn´t. That´s true. We saw their hotel from our hotel´s parking lot and we thought it will be 10 minutes tops to get there. It took us at least 40 minutes to get there!!! :D
It was probably the most luxurious hotel I've ever seen! Their room was the best I´ve ever seen. It has this window that was instead of one wall and you could clearly see whole Las Vegas through it, all the pools and lights! It was hilarious!

Since I was not 21 yet (the only one) Matty handed me some booze and an energy drink, I poured it into a red plastic cup and we hit the road to the heart of the city. Their friend Marija took us on the best trip ever! If you know the movie The perks of being a wallflower- it was like the tunnel scene, but in Las Vegas. Just...LEGENDARY :) Perks of being a wallflower

Matty, me, Misa, Bara, Niki, Patrick :) Marija- the driver :) 

We spent an AWESOME night together. We got drunk, we went to a casino, we gambled, we had FUN!
Later at night girls wanted to go to some club but they didn´t let me in because I was not 21 (and even if I was, my Passport was stolen) so Matty was being a perfect gentleman and spent the rest of the night with me wandering the streets of Las Vegas! :))) Patrick took care of Niki, Bara and Michaela :)

We got to bed at about 6am! We slept about 1 hour and then we had to pack our things (well, Niki had to, I had nothing at all :D ) and we went to the nearest police station. We wrote a police report and went rapidly at the airport. Fortunately they let me fly back to DC, where I had an appointment at the Slovak Embassy the next day.

It took about 45 minutes to get the emergency passport. We spend the last day in DC mostly remembering the best moments in out lives.

It was so sad that we had to leave that even tho we had one and half day more in DC we didn´t have the courage to meet out lovely friends again, for the last time. It would be just too sad and painful....
We will miss you forever ♥

Las Vegas Baby! or how I enjoyed the last day of our road-trip with nothing left. part 1

Our last day and last night at the west coast was planned to be legendary! And it was...but in kinda different way than expected!

On our way to Las Vegas we have to go to a Walmart store because of one simple reason. In the beginning of our trip we bought 4 sleeping-bags, one huge tent and two furry hoodies well and now, at the end of the trip, it was useless for us anymore so we decided to be very discontented with it. They bought it and gave us all the money back so we "earned" about 60 dollars each :D - very useful when going to Las Vegas! :)

At first we wanted to check in in the hotel Misa and Bara rented so we parked our car at the parking lot right in front of the hotel. During the time that Misa and Bara were taking care of the keys and stuff I wanted to get my things in my backpack so I took it off the trunk and went to the car for the rest of my stuff.
Now I know it was the stupidest thing E.V.E.R! As I was collecting my things in the car (for like 20 seconds) my backpack was stolen! I had there all my stuff- my clothes, all souvenirs!!! that I bought on the road-trip, cosmetics, everything. And what is most important, even my PASSPORT! (so nothing valuable for those fuckers!)
But fortunately my camera, wallet and cell-phone was in the car so they didn´t steal it. That was my only luck!
At first I went to the security guy to tell him what happened, then I called my dad (it was 3.15am in Slovakia) and then we went to a police station. You know what? There is NO police station open after 5pm in Las Vegas! No kidding! So I have to wait till 9am to go to police station to get a police report! Between that I called to every possible number- all embassies, emergency lines and stuff but nothing was helpful at all. I was reconciled with the fact that I will have to go back to LA to the Slovak Embassy, buy new air tickets to DC and also back to Slovakia- because as I was told by the lady on the emergency line- I had no chance to make it on my flight back home.
I was broken but also not ready to give up! I wrote my friend D. about my situation and because he knows everything he was really helpful. He gave me a number to some guy from LA so I gave him a call and he ensured me that if I have some ID with my photo on it, they let me go on the flight from Las Vegas to DC. Fortunately my wallet wasn´t stolen so I had my driving license and my ISIC (student ID)
In the morning Niki and I went to a police station to write a police report and we got about 2 hours to get to the airport. We made it and they let me fly back to DC! They made some more precautions but because I had almost nothing left it didn´t take that long :)

We got safely back to DC where I had an appointment at the Slovak Embassy early in the morning the other day. Fortunately I got every document needed even extra photo for the Emergency Passport. It lasted only about 45 minutes!

We spent one more day in DC with Niki and were ready to go back home. Well...not quite ready- if it was possible we would stay in California for ever, but it was time to go home.

Mirror, mirror who is the fairest of them all? You are Zion NP, you are!

I guess most of you would expect that the Grand Canyon is the best of the best NP ever. I bet it is the most famous but personally, I preffer the Zion National Park. Maybe it is because of the fact that I really felt like I am a part of the park. Not just a tourist looking at the beauty from "somewhere" as it was in GC. But... I guess I spent too little time in each of them to really judge that :)

In spite of the fact that we couldn´t really see the real beauty of it (because of the bad weather and the change of time comparing to Grand Canyon which we had no idea about!!!!) In spite of all that I still believe that Zion has so much more to offer :) And the next year I am definatelly spend here MUCH more time :)

Or... do u think... ehm...am I MAYBE just affected by the huuuuge tarantula that we met in Grand Canyon? You know...some psychological defense? haha well... judge for yourself :)

The weeping rock :)

Grand Canyon adventure :)

The way to Grand Canyon was the longest way that we drove. It took us nearly 9 hours!!! It would be at least 1,5 hour less if we got the great invention called GPS :)

Misa, Bara and Niki were taking turns with driving and because I am not 21 yet and I can´t drive, I was declared as an enterteiner. It was not that simple as it seems! I had to amuse all of them, I had to overcome their and MINE fatigue and I had to navigate the driver to the right direction (it was more of guessing which way to go than actually knowing :D )

When we were too tired and unable to drive more miles we decided to find the nearest camp site (which was not easy either). Luckily we succeed and laid our heads at arround 3 am.
On the way to the Grand Canyon National Park we found the best camp-site ever! It was called The Bed-rock City and it was exactly what you are thinking. It was a perfect imitation of the BEDROCK CITY from the series The Flinstones! And what is the best for us addicted to coffee- a cup of coffee costs only 5cents!!! Yep, 5 c.e.n.t.s! :D (it´s like 0,03 EUR!)

Unfortunatelly we had no time to spent there at least one night- we had to continue with our adventure :)

We spent in Grand Canyon only one day but I can tell you- It is STUNNING! The nature, the sky...everything... It makes you feel so small and so vulnerable. When we saw it for the first time- we were just staying there on the edge of the Canyon for several minutes- speechless.
We were overcoming our feers and phobia from heights just to take the great pictures! I can hardly describe the beauty of the Grand Canyon!

The only thing that was not as beautiful was the tarantula that crossed our path! (and I bet it was not the only scary creature that lives there) It was huge, it was hairy, it has LOOOOONG legs. You can imagine how we acted when we saw it about 0,5meter from our legs. It is a funny story now but in that moment...well, not so funny :) Too bad nobody was so brave to actually take a photo of it.

We left Grand Canyon with the sunset- it was even more beautiful watching the sun going down and the Grand Canyon fell asleep.
We left absolutely happy, all smiling and singing songs out loud- we had no idea what kind of night is about to come :)

San Diego- short but amazing!

At first we were thinking about staying in LA for 1 more day for two simple reasons: 1. We had no place to stay in San Diego (as always) so it would take us much more time to find some place to stay than actually enjoy the city. In LA we could stay at Matty´s place which would be fun and we would save some time
2. San Diego was actually not on the way to Grand Canyon what was the next destination.

But the destiny wanted it another way :) We got the last minute message from Rob from San Diego that we would be more than welcomed in his house near the beach and the bay in San Diego. We took it as a sign, packed our stuff and hit the road to San Diego.

It took us sooooo long to get to Rob´s house (because of the absence of the GPS) so we get to Rob´s house quite late. We brought some vodka so we drink a little of it and didn´t waiste our time and went out with all the people in his house- Rob is one of the Couchsurfers who is really glad when somebody is crashing on his couch. There was already about 6 people + four of us- but the more people the more fun, right? :) We went to some bar near to Rob´s house but because of the fact that I am not 21 yet I was not allowed to even sit in the! ( I completely agree with the 21 year law about DRINKING alcohol, but this? Crazy!) I felt a bit akward that everybody had to go to some place else. But luckily we did it, because we found some club where there was a concert of some rock band! It was also club 21+ but the guy looked...well not very wise so we gave it a try. I handed him my passport confidently and to my surprise- it worked! :)

We spent awesome night together but after that we had to leave soon in the morning. We had about 5 hours to explore the city and then we had to hit the road to Grand Canyon. It was the longest way we drove- up to 8 hours!!!

Personally, I liked San Diego that much that I was actually thinkin about moving there sometimes :)

Me, Rob, Bara, Michaela and Niki :)

Fun in LA :)

The city of angels was the next destination on our list :) we arrived at 7pm but as typical women we went to an outlet store first :D after 2 hours of shopping, several t-shirts, watches, shoes and scarfs we agreed that it is time to find some place where we could stay next two nights. We checked our couchsurfing accounts and luckily there was a message from a guy named Matty so we gave him a call. (Actually Michaela called him and it went like this: Misa: 'hello? Matt? This is Misa. ...I'm sorry, could you repeat that? ...We're at some outlet. I don't know where. Okay okay okay.

We: 'What did he say? Can we stay at his place?'

Misa: 'I don't know I didn't understand a word, but he'll text me his address and then we'll figure it out somehow' :D 

When we got to his place at first Misa and Bara went ask him if all of us can stay because at first he thought it was just them two staying. After few minutes (it felt like ages outside) they came to us that we have to be super nice and cool and he'll let us stay. So we "played" as hard as we could and it worked out! :) there was two another couchsurfers at his place and two more men in the apartment so it was 9 people - but the more people the more fun. :)

It was amazing! The best couchsurfing so far... We brought some beers (what convinced Matty the best to have us there, haha) Matty cooked a dinner for us (d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s.) and we played a really funny game. Unfortunately we didn't dip in their pool and neither the hot tub because we didn't have time for that.  

We spent all day in LA (Hollywood) and we saw all the houses of the famous people that we won't ever be able to afford, we got our 50% discount in Hard Rock Cafe illegally and Niki and I we emotionally connected with George Clooney (inside joke). The next day we spent all day on a beach dipping in Pacific Ocean and playing beach volleyball and in the evening we hit the road again- this time the destination was San Diegoooo! :)

BTW... We are about to meet with Matty and Pat in Las Vegas!
It is gonna be legen... wait for it...dary!!! ♥

I'm just gonna shut myself down emotionally. Like George Clooney! :)

Life is HILARIOUS!!! <3

What have we learnt on the road?

1. Hit the road only with people with the same desire and passion for the same activities and places - you'll enjoy the trip better.

2. Wet napkins can save your life

3. Plan your trip in advance- it will save you a lot of time

4. Don't plan everything to the smallest detail... It's fun to be taken where the waves take you.

5. Pick less places and explore them to the detail in stand of choosing many places only for few hours/day.

6. You're gonna spend more money than you expect at the beginning

7. People ARE nice and friendly

8. Couchsurfing can save you a lot of money but what is more important you're gonna meet amazing people and you'll make friends all over the world

9. Explore the world as a traveler not a tourist- ask the locals what is worth seeing (not the travel guides.) locals live here they always know better.

10. Do not buy guide-tours (never ever)  it's a waste of time and money and it's not fun. Mean it!

11. GPS can save you a lot of time! (Or a detailed map of every place that your going to)

Sequoia NP- HUGE experience

We spent here in SNP almost all day. 

The night before we found a camp (lemon something) this one was not as nice as the first one (there were spiders) but on the other hand here was a wifi connection for free, little shop near by and eventho a pool! Niki and I spent the night in a car and it was so hot that we didn't have to use the sleeping bags and hoodies either. We hit the road early in the morning and got to the sequoia NP around 11am. The nature was amazing! The only thing that scared us were signs that were present at every corner- 'bears tend to apear very often in this area. Please remove all your food and things listed below from the car to the special lockers' and because the sequoia np is like a huge forrest we could meet a bear everywhere.

That didn't stop us going there anyways. We saw the most beautiful trees, and also the biggest tree on the planet- sherman tree.  

After several hours in Sequoia np we spent 5 hours in a car getting to santa barbara. We stoped our car at the road which is prohibited of course. In 5 minutes there was a police car passing by so we stopped them and tell them what's going on. We were 4 girls from Europe and they were two young men from California so after few minutes of a small talk they told us that we can stay on the road eventho it's projinited and what is more- they let the other police cars know that we can stay and park there (that they won't bother us) :)

We slept in a car (our liiittle car) but it was surprisingly comfortable. The sun was supposed to wake us up in the morning but the opposite was true unfortunatelly. 

We got to Santa Barbara at 11am, went to a beach for a while and also wander the city a little bit. But for me it was kinda only waste of time because you cannot enjoy the city in only very few hours. I mean Santa Barbara is beautiful but... You cannot really explore it in 4 hours.

We've been already to a lot of places but I don't always have time to write so you have to have patience with us ;)

Breath-taking Yosemite <3

We left San Francisco at 4pm and went to a Walmart in Oakland. It is now far away from there but the traffic was so horrible that it took us about 75minutes.  

At Walmart we bought 4sleeping bags, a tent, 6 bags of food and 12 pack of beers...we just didn't realize that the truck is already stucked and crowded with our back-packs and luggages. It took us about half an hour to get all the bags in such a small car. (There was almost no space left for us)

With all the stuff we headed to Yosemite. And because we didn't want to pay extra money for GPS we tried to use my cell for navigation. Unfortunatelly Michaela missed the first turn to the right so we had to rely on map only.

We made it somehow to the camp which was about an hour far away from Yosemite NP. We paid only 20$ per whole car for realy luxury camp- there were bathrooms with showers (hot water included) toilets with TP and possibility to connect to their wifi. And what is more we set up our tent right next to three guys who borrowed us a light and then spent all night with us talking, laughing and druinking some beers. We planned to go to sleep at 1am tops but it was such fun that it changed to 5am.

Our alarm clock was set on 8am so we spent long 3 hours by sleeping :) 

After we packed all out stuff to our mini car we said goodbye and hit the road to the Yosemite park. It was AMAZING !!! The nature was... Hilarious. Beautiful. Breath-taking.  

Now we're going to Sequoia NP and then to Santa Barbara to enjoy a little of beaches ;)

San Francisco here we come ! :)

After 3 amazing days in New York we planned to go to California and the first city is San Francisco. Our plane was departing NY at 7am so we spent last night half on the Times Square and half of the time on the airport re-packing our back-packs so we can take it as a carry-on.

The flight was 6 hours long and we slept most of the time. We landed at 10am (because there is 3 hours less than in DC- so 9 hours less than Slovakia)

We went almost everywhere (lombardo street, chinatown, golden gate bridge and golden gate park, etc) and we took a ride with the famous San Francisco-cable car :) we tried a typical american way of eating- All You Can Eat- you pay for a plate and then you can eat as much as your stomach allows you. In our case it was in a weird chinese restaurant called 'Dick's pastry' or something like that and it looked like they cook cats and dogs there :D but we payed 6$ each and finally ate some healthy food there- it was surprisingly delicious! And of course we took some fortune cookies so now we are waiting for our destiny :)

And what is more because of this weird Dick's restaurant we found a place to stay for two days- we found a nice couchsurfer who could host us for two nights so we didn't have to spend the night in our car. He is very hospitable and nice (eventho we came to his app. after midnight (we got lost while looking for our car at night- no we didn't find it anyway - funny story I'll tell you when I'm home :)) he was very sweet and helpful and has a beautiful apartment :)

We love San Francisco very much but we couldn't live here. I mean it's beautiful and everything but the weather?? It's crazy... When it's sunny it's like 1000 degrees but when sun hides behind the clouds you should better put on your winter coat.  

Now it's morning and we are going with our lovely host to spend some time in Golden gate park and then we are heading to Yosemite and Sequoya National Parks.

We'll keep you posted :) 

The road-trip begins! <3

Let's travel to the dream city, city that never sleeps- NEW YORK!  

We woke up at 6am, packed last things needed and hit the road! :) The journey lasts 4 hours so we caught up the sleep deficiency for the last days a lil bit. (I was so tired that I caught myself sleeping on a shoulder of the guy sitting right next to me- luckily he was asleep so he didn't even noticed anything haha)

We are gonna spend here 3 days and 3 nights and then on Sept. 12 we're going to San Francisco!

And since we didn't find anybody on Couchsurfing who can host us we had to booked a hostel. The cheapest we found was for 30$ per night. (Our lives are worth the money) 

When we got to the adress of the hostel we were terrified. There was no hostel, just a building that barely stands on its feet with broken windows and everything in a not very trustworthy neighbourhood. We were even more terrified at the time when we asked a guy sitting on a bench right in front of the building that was supposed to be our hostel and he answered 'hostel? There is no hostel near here'.

 Luckily the whole situation got better when a young black man came to this building with large keyrings- the landlord. He showed us the rooms, kitchen and bathroom, gave us our keys and even helped us with reducing the price for our room. We are sharing our room with a nice russian girl and it is actualy quite a nice place (except for bathroom).

Then we went to wander the streets in NYC, we went to the 9/11 Memorial and actually for the first time in our life we have seen the panorama of Manhattan- which literally took our breath away.

We'll keep you posted as much as possible so you can travel and experience this amazing trip with us! :)

Keep your fingers crossed for us ;)

We're living our dream! <3