"Obama, I'm On My Way..."

Reflecting Pool and Lincoln Memorial

Exploring the east coast, it was finally time to head to the capital of the United States of America, Washington DC- home of the White house, the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument.

I was excited to begin Obama spotting, start my quest to find Air Force One and sit on Lincoln’s knee. 

After touring for a few days with the guys, I ditched all but one and boarded back on the cheap and cheery Megabus. The journey from Philly to D.C cost around $14 and took two and a half hours.

Once again we lucked out on accommodation and ended up in a small motel in the heart of the suburbs. We had booked a standard hotel, as there are very few hostels, but unbeknown to us there were two of these hotels. One was located in the city centre and one on the outskirts. Typically, we ended up in the dodgy outskirts confined to the hotel each night for yet more safety precautions. Washington D.C’s nightlife would just have to wait.  

Getting into the city centre was easy enough. We took the local bus but, in a predominantly African- American area, we got more than a few stares, and with Robb’s bouncy blonde curls there was no way we were blending in. Although we felt like we were in a zoo, people were friendly and seemed mostly confused as to why two young tourists had ventured so far out of the city. 

In late August the weather was scorchingly hot, so going earlier on in the year is advisable so you can wander around without the guy standing next to you honking of B.O. 

First on the agenda, the White House. As an Obama fan I jumped up and down trying to get a glimpse of the president, but no luck. This did not stop me however, from telling my12 year old brother back home that I had had tea with the president. Used to my cheeky tricks, he asked for photographic evidence and luckily my picture in front of the white house with Obama’s head superimposed sufficed. I now await the day he turns and asks me about the time I met Barack- obviously we are on first name terms- and I’m forced to tell him the truth, that dining with B-dog is merely a dream.

Next was the Washington Monument leading up to the Lincoln Memorial. Just walking from site to site was a great experience. Washington is filled with gorgeous, green parks that are surrounded by perfect, white buildings. With the sunglasses on and ice lolly in hand it was bliss. 

The monument is the world’s tallest stone structure and was built in honour of George Washington in 1884. It is a great symbol of American history and situated perfectly between the Reflecting Pool and Memorial. The three create that iconic image we see on movies and this made me more than snap happy.

Moving on to Lincoln Memorial, here is a piece of info no one ever told me, there are lots of stairs!! In the sweltering heat climbing up to the Memorial makes you feel like your crawling in the desert with a monkey on your back. BEX FYI: water, water and more water; drink it, but make sure it’s bottled!

The deadly steps are worth the climb though. Inside the pillared building there is a cool breeze and an array of history to behold. Lincoln’s two most famous speeches are inscribed on the walls that encase the statue of Lincoln himself. This statue is huge and I was disappointed to learn that there was no way I’d be sitting on that knee. Aside from honoring Abraham Lincoln, the memorial also held host to a number of important speeches including Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream.”

I stood in the same spot thinking about my dream...“Obama, Obama...”

That All-American Experience

Wayne County Fair wristbands

Now on to Honesy-D, the nearest town to camp. This is where most of our days off would be spent, a small town with an all-american look. 

A usual day off would involve raiding the Walmart, munching down some decent grub and watching the latest Twilight film. 

However, if a more cultured american experience was desired then you needed to head into the town itself. There was a few B&Bs to choose from and all had that homely feeling, but that could just be because the older lady that ran ours suggested we call her “mama.”  

Although Honesdale wouldn’t normally be on a travelers list of places to see in the US, I highly recommend that on any journey, you stop in a small and town. It’s places like these where you get a real insight into the culture of a country because there’s less of the tourist pulls to distract you. BEX FYI: Visit the unknown.

Honesdale is the kind of white picket-fence neighborhood where swinging benches hang from porches and american flags flap from the beamers, so you wouldn't expect much nightlife. We did however, manage to find one lone bar with music where the residents of Honesdale were just all too interested to see who these crazy kids were.

A large man at the end of the bar, wearing a white suit and sunglasses, stared us down until his minion man came to tell us that drinks were waiting for us at the bar. We were expecting a shot and were astonished when an $11 Pink Flamingo cocktail each was waiting for us. We thanked him and continued to dance but when the other locals joined in the boogie, the gangster man took a huff and stormed out of the bar. His minion warned us that “we’d done it now.” Uh oh, upsetting local big wigs may not be a good idea.

We continued to dance with a slight fear lying in our bellies.  To dispel it we distracted ourselves by persuading the owner to let us dance on the bar. Now I don’t mean slutty style, we just wanted to have a Coyote Ugly moment. But that dream was short-lived as Whitney stumbled and smashed a glass and we were then removed. 

The next morning we woke to “mama's” big breakfast. Eating like kings we didn’t want to leave but “mama” had other ideas. She’d had complaints of noise and the theft of a flag so was not keen on having us stay any longer. “Mama” was not happy. None of the girls had any knowledge of this flag theft and we all believed we’d been as quiet as can be but the boys sat there in suspicious silence.

Aside from the town’s bar, the big must is the Wayne County Fair. If you’ve ever seen the end scenes of Grease you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.  It is an annual event where people come from all over the county to attend. There are rides and animals, and food and music. It’s a colourful event and a whole lot of fun.

The best part though, was munching on a corn dog. There’s a first for everything and eating a corn dog had always been on my list of things you have to do before you die. It was surprisingly tasty but I think it just wouldn’t have tasted right unless I was standing in a random field, surrounded by crazy farm animals and sharing it with my Honesdale crew.

Again Honesdale provides another all american experience. 

Get your Scrant-ON!

Round Lake Specialists hitting a local bar

So Mexico ended my US tour for 2009 but obviously I hadn’t had enough because in 2010 I went back. Returning to Round Lake Camp, I spent another summer as dance specialist in the Pennsylvania sticks and was able to rack up a hold other host of american cities on my “been there” list.

Scranton, known as the electric city, may not be as well-known as other US destinations but it is more than deserving of a post. It was the closest city to camp, about an hour away, and located in the Lackawanna Valley- I just love that name. It became known as the electric city after the streetcar system was established there in 1886- a bit of historical info for you.

For camp counsellors Scranton really was electric. It was like Disneyland for us because it meant real food, great shops and being back in civilization. 

The city has numerous hotels, including big names like the Radisson and the Hilton, and for the life of me I don’t know why every year we all opted for a run-down motel called the Red Carpet Inn. This was a wholesome, american motel just like the ones you see in the movies. It provided all the bare necessities and at a reasonable price. More importantly it “allowed” us to pack 7 people into a 2 person room, take midnight skinny dips and boogie on the balconies. Well I say “allow,” I’m sure technically it wasn’t allowed but there were never any complaints...well almost never.

Trips to this fine city have provided me with many a memorable day, mostly because the food was epic and the two malls were a godsend. 

The first time I visited Scranton it was my first day off. About twenty of Round Lake’s specialists rocked up excited to sample our first piece of American culture. 

Arriving fairly late we piled into one of the rooms to chill out and plan the following day. However, it came to a halt when one of my camp besties, the drama specialist, took a funny turn that meant we had to call 911. When paramedics arrived they scooted the patient and myself to the ER. At the time I was pent up with worry but looking back I think it’s super cool I actually got to visit a real ER- no sign of George Clooney though and not at all like Grey’s Anatomy. 

Fearing it was something more serious we waited for hours on test results but eventually doctors confirmed it was just a panic attack. We were free to go but with no shoes or money (apparently I wasn’t good at this going to hospital and being prepared thing) hitching a ride back to the hotel proved rather interesting. We finally flagged a taxi who agreed to take us but by the time we got back to the motel the party was over. Nothing like a bit of hospital drama.

My next visit saw us visit a local bar where Scranton residents treated us like exotic creatures. Everyone was eager to find out who this crazy bunch of Brits were. BEX FYI: partying with the locals is definitely a cultural experience worth having.

Later that night we headed back to the motel but our large group had picked up a certain Scranton resident who was not keen to say goodbye. We hinted and hinted that this was the end of the night but Majestic was not getting it. He was dressed in what looked like pajamas and covered in cake mixture. Apparently he worked in a cake factory and hadn’t felt the need to change after his shift. 

Much of the night was spent trying to get rid of this guy so that we could head to bed...after some hefty heave ho from the guys we bid farewell to crazy cake man. Meanwhile Scranton police had arrived to investigate the noise. Fearing the worst the girls lined up in a row and tried to sweetly apologise to the officers. They accepted our apologies and agreed to having us take a series of posy pics with them whilst we insisted on calling them Office Dimples. A bit cringe but jail averted.

So, so far Scranton has provided me with a run in with two of its emergency departments. One more to go?

These are just a few occasions that stick out in my mind but lord knows there were a good few more fun experiences to be had in Scranton...

Scranton has played host to a whole load of crazy camp antics that I couldn’t even begin to write about but I can surely say that it holds a place in every Round Lake counsellor’s heart.

“Get your Scrant-ON!”

I'm in Miami B****

SOUTH BEACH MIAMI- one of the city's iconic lifeguard huts

Still in Florida, but leaving the family behind, it was time to get my shades on, find my teeny bikini and start my search for Horatio Caine. 

I had maxed myself out on CSI episodes and could not have been more prepared for any mysterious murders that may have cropped up during my Miami stay. Oh I had Horatio’s back. 

If he could have seen the way I climbed out of my Grandma’s pick up van, stumbled over the kerb, snapped my sandal, flashed my knickers and burst open my suitcase as I arrived, he’d have known he had a trusty companion in his midst.

I rocked up at the Days Inn Hotel, adjusting my skirt and slightly limping from the fall, where 4 boys lay in wait for me. And by lay in wait I mean sprawled out amongst dirty clothes and empty beer cans whilst nursing hangovers. 

I was reuniting with some of the guys from camp and walking into that room I suspected this might not be the most glamourous few weeks.

The boys had opted for a 2 person room for 4 of them and me. This is a good money saver, albeit not technically allowed, so there are risks to consider. You’re probably expecting me to outline hotel rules and the consequences of being caught but no, I’m talking about the dangers of co-existing in a room, littered with half eaten chinese food and 4 “I washed my clothes month” kind of guys. It’s a dangerous job people but needs must when you’re aiming for minimal spend and maximum fun.

But who needs the lap of luxury when you’re already in Miami? As LA’s cooler younger brother I couldn’t wait to grab the beach bag and head down to see just whether Miami lived up to Will Smith’s promise that "Yo ain't no city in the world like this."

First place on my agenda was South Beach. This stretch of lush golden sand and sparkling blue sea offers every Miami stereotype in one sun kissed bundle. There’s the surfer dudes catching the waves and the model babes slapping on the oil, hippy musicians playing on the sidewalk and the city’s elite hitting the designer boutiques. Sitting on South Beach is like watching some amped up and much sexier version of Corrie. Eyes peeled for Ken Barlow's six pack.

Staying near to South Beach can be pretty costly which is why we had opted to stay further inland. This distance didn’t stop me and my “posse” from making our way there every day though. The bus was easy enough to catch and took us across town in no time. 

A massive piece of Bex FYI that I stick firmly to is avoid taking taxis. Wherever you are in the world one of the best ways to see a place and get a taste for its true culture is to board that bus. It may seem scary but if you check your info and ask for help you’ll be fine, and it's often a lot cheaper. And if you get lost who cares? You’re exploring and that’s what traveling is all about. 

After South Beach, Ocean Drive is the next big name that needs to be scratched off the list. The quirky buildings offer excitement and a bit of glamour even if all you can afford to do is gaze through the windows and wish you were rich. Known as the start of the Art Deco district, Ocean Drive holds some of the world’s most photographed houses including the Versace mansion-very posh!  

My trip in Miami was short and sweet. It gave me enough time to do a few Baywatch runs down the beach, hit the malls for yet more shopping and enjoy some beachside boogies. Although there's a lot more things that could be done in Miami after a few days in the sunshine and glamour I was all set. I had seen all I wanted and know what I had always thought...Miami is pretty cool. You were right Will.

New York Baby

This picture marks one of the best weekends of my life and, the many more to come in NYC.

After a raucous and exhausting few months stashed away in Pennsylvania’s deepest valleys, 150 camp counsellors are dropped in the heart of Manhattan’s jungle; Times Square. You can only imagine the energy and excitement that catches like wild fire among young and eager counsellors; like animals being let loose.

New York City became my favourite place as soon as I stepped off the bus. Aside from partying on hotel rooftops, eating copious amounts of pepperoni pizza and hardcore celeb spotting, of course I hit up all the tourist hotspots. The iconic monuments you see in movies and the infamous landscapes painted on posters are all there for you to feast your eyes upon. 

“It’s just like in the films. Like really, just like it. I feel like I’m in a Hollywood movie,” I remember shouting to my mum down the phone as I stood somewhere between west 34th and broadway. I think those first few hours knocked the wind right out of me. I remember feeling overwhelmed and crazed with wonder. My eyes couldn’t take in all the magic before me. I know you’re thinking what a cheese-ball but I’m afraid when it comes to NYC it is the love of my life. 

So what to see and do...The city is so big and there is so much on offer that it can be hard to know where to start but this is where I introduce tip number one. In every city I am a true travel geek and get myself on a tour. Usually, if you’re staying in a hostel they provide free walking tours (always the better option-more personal, more info and less money.) A tour bus is a quick fire way to learn about a new place, get your bearings and decide on exactly you want to see during your stay. It’s also a speedy tool to help boost you in the culture vulture stakes. My grandparents always think I’m so intelligent and well-cultured when I drop in the tour I did here and the one I did there. It helps if you can rattle off a few well rehearsed bites of info too

The NYC tour bus costs around $64 and whilst it is hard on the pocket it allows you access on 2 routes across 3 districts over 2 days and nights. It takes you past all the main attractions allowing for some good photo ops. Union Square, Radio City, the Empire State, the Golden Bull, Brooklyn Bridge, China town, Little Italy, everything you never believe truly existed.

A tour bus makes it a little easier to decide what you want to see and do however, after 3 visits to New York I still have a 2 page long list that needs ticking off. 

However, some of my highlights include the free boat that takes passengers  from Manhattan over to Staten Island where you can see the Statue of Liberty. Although you don’t get to see the statue up close, if you time it well you can see the statue amid a Manhattan sunset.

The 9/11 memorial museum is another of the main attractions that I insist needs a visit. It is only $10 to enter and the experience you take away from it is harrowing but something you won’t forget.

And there’s always a toss up between the  Rockefeller or the Empire State. Which one to climb? I have only ever been up the Rockefeller but there are 2 reasons for this. Number one being that if you go up the Rockefeller your pictures will have that oh-so-famous backdrop of manhattan’s skyline with the Empire State Building clearly visible. Number 2 is that the Rockefeller is the bigger of the two so if you are an adrenaline junkie like me, you get a little kick knowing you’re as high as you’re gonna get in the best city in the world. 

To be continued...

Summer Lovin'...what not to love?

Cast of Round Lake's Summer Production of Grease 2009

“Summer lovin had me a blast...summer lovin’ happened so fast.” Probably the most iconic words for Round Lake Camp 2009. 

Yes, camp holds host to many summer romances making this song an appropriate soundtrack to the summer, but these lyrics signify more than just the summer night hook ups; our camp production was the legendary Grease musical. Unlucky for anyone that wasn’t into 60s rock n roll, this soundtrack blasted on repeat day and night. We ate our breakfast whilst humming “You’re the on that I Want” and we went to bed tapping the tune to "Grease Lightening." 

Almost four years later, if I am shaking my stuff in a club and the DJ starts to run dry and play cheesy pop, and "Summer Lovin" comes blasting through the speakers, I’m taken back to my days rehearsing crazy routines in the sweltering summer heat and hand jiving the months away.

As dance specialist, it was my job to choreograph the dances and teach the kids just how to strut their stuff for the big performance. Myself, along with drama specialists (Jess and Leanne) busted a rib, literally, trying to get the production ready on time. Stress, chaos and exhaustion was the picture of myself, Jess and Leanne. During rehearsals there was many a day the girls would turn to each other and said “na this isn’t gonna happen.” But after weeks of late night set building, bruised knees and sore throats the production all came together.

The hard work did pay off and contributed to a very proud and emotional moment (yes I cried like a baby.) To see these kids, that each struggle with their own different disabilities, overcoming them to perform your routines is overwhelming. For many of these kids managing to learn a script or a routine may seem impossible and the idea of standing in front of hundreds of people can be their worst nightmare. However, every child overcame their personal boundaries and performed an amazing and utterly unique performance of Grease. 

The other children and counsellors gave a standing ovation and the demand for “one more song” meant a mini dance party on stage. Still a young and shy 18 year old, I was mortified at the idea of having to get up and accept my flowers but I did and it’s a memory I won’t forget. Even now I get shivers when I relive the it. I had never felt so proud of myself for having helped these children be part of something special or as proud of my friends for doing the same and the kids for being so wonderful. This photo marks that moment for me; the finale of Grease with all my wonderful kids. That truly is what camp, especially Round Lake, is all about; everyone pushing themselves to their own limits, doing things you’ve never done before and having the time of your life.

Do I have to say anymore to recommend taking part in a Camp America Programme? No matter what your age, background or experience, camp can be life changing and the best fun you'll ever have. it has you doing things you never imagined with people you never knew existed. It opens up your mind in so many ways and stays with you for the rest of your life. Why do you think I kept going back? It is pure Summer Lovin'!

Round Lake Camp, Pennsylvania ♥

ROUND LAKE CAMP 2009

So let's start at the beginning, always a good place to start. When I was 18 I was fairly shy and happy enough to fade into the crowd. This trip, my first trip, changed all of that.

I had always wanted to travel and was determined to do so as soon as I left school. I defiantly stood up to the family whose woes and worries meant they implored me not to leave. They felt the need to showcase some of the scariest horror films, all set in the US, in an attempt to make me stay. It nearly worked, but I armed myself with a can of mace and promised I wouldn't stray on deserted farms where potential chainsaw yielding men may be seeking camp counsellors. 

So I applied to Camp America and got accepted to Round Lake Camp, Pennsylvania. I think possibly the best decision I ever made right there. It was an affordable way to go and see some of the world, I worked for 2 months and my visa gave me an extra few months to travel afterwards. Camp America helped me through the visa process, dealt with my medical insurance and organised the flights. I knew I would be looked after by a reliable company if something went wrong. It was the perfect solution for a young traveller with limited resources.

It also seemed like the safest way to go travelling alone. However, I don't think I actually was ever alone. From the moment I stepped on that plane at Heathrow with my bright red T-shirt claiming "Woo I'm going to camp," until the moment I arrived back a dirty brown colour walking through UK customs with no shoes (a story I will later explain), I was not alone. 

I met aussies and israelis, americans and dominicans, chileans and columbians and a whole host of fellow Brits. These people became summer family and many of them remain my all time besties.

I worked for 8 weeks at Round Lake which is a special needs camp for Jewish children. It's hard to put into words the experiences I had there but I feel this picture pretty much sums it up. I remember writing home to my parents and describing camp as Dirty Dancing meets Snakes on a Plane...an absolute riot but oh the time of my life. I was the camp's dance specialist and thought of myself as a Johnny Castle type and the kids ensured that the summer was filled with joyful chaos and raucous activity.

As with any trip, it is the people you meet that make it. Although you may not keep in touch with every person you ever met on your travels, they all stick with you because you share those camp memories; that includes the kids as well as the staff. For them, you were their mums and dads for the summer and they sure become as much a part of your life as you were in theirs. 

Of course working 24 hours a day with challenging kids pushes you to your limits but that is why the people you meet become your closest friends. You see each other at your ultimate highs and your all time lows, whether that's dancing on tables in the local hillbilly bar or getting caught stashing an un-kosher pizza into your bunk.

I couldn't recommend going to work in a summer camp more. It made me grow that back bone mum always said I needed, and gain the independence that today stands me in good stead. Camp gave me unforgettable memories, the time to travel the rest of the US afterwards, the friends to travel with, the money to pay for it; the only price you have to pay is the fatty fatty bum bum you come home with after months of PB and J sandwiches.

This picture is of the lake at camp. The lake that I cursed every morning when I had to dive into the icy cold water. The lake I refused to get in after a scary spider ran across my face, much to the children's delight, but the lake I loved come Friday night when all was calm and the sun began to set. 

Friday night was Shabbat at camp. We celebrated with songs and dances despite the fact that probably 90% of staff were not jewish- it was just fun. The view as you can see above was so beautiful and Shabbat just meant a good time.

 I will never forget my three summers at Round Lake Camp, it's a part of who I am. This picture marks my time there. It is my most sacred place on earth.