So I Definitely

don't want to leave Austin, which is kind of hard to believe, seeing as how it is in Texas and all, and you know how we northerners don't like them there southerners. Haha, just kidding. In all actuality, though, Austin was the coolest place I've been so far and definitely seems like an awesome place to live. The hostel here was great (except for the fact that there was no hot water, haha) and the location was good, too. The past two days here I met up with a couple of English guys and we hit up 6th and Congress (which is like the hot spot of live music and pubs here, all crammed into about a 6 block stretch, which is closed to traffic on the weekends). The one video is of a band doing Johnny Cash on an outdoor stage at The Blind Pig. It was a pretty sweet setup, since the stage is on the upstairs outdoor patio and you can see the cityscape from there. Of course, there were a lot of other cool bars and such, and there was a band in almost three-quarters of the places, and nowhere charged a cover. Pretty good deal, really. Also, last night went moonlight kayaking with the one guy, Nathan - posted a couple pics. We ended up running into these other two guys who were rope-swinging into the lake, so of course we had to share in the excitement - little vid of that, too. Oh, and I swam in a hot spring. At any rate, I've had an awesome time here, and don't really want to go, but have to stick to the schedule or I'll never be back to York, haha. Anyway, miss everyone! And, ps, yes Maggie, I'm having a good time =)

So Far

I really like Austin. Went down to Sixth Street for a bit last night and caught some of the local scene - was pretty fun and I actually met the first person from PA on the trip so far (Colleen). Walked the downtown beat for a bit today - went to the capitol and some other historic sites as well as some not so historic sites (The Pita Pit for lunch) haha. Anyway, definitely a cool place so far and I'm anxious to check it out more in the next day or two.

In Austin

but posting the rest of my stories/pics from New Orleans. Last two nights were crazy. The people from the hostel were awesome and from everywhere (England, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Denmark, etc) which made for a cool mix of people. Between the last two nights, I saw more jazz, a mariachi band, went to a bar that is a dungeon, danced on stage during 80's night, hung out on a balcony on Bourbon, did a pole stand, and a bunch of other crazy stuff that won't make it to the blog, haha. Anyway, enjoy the pics and give me a call people! These eight hour drives are boring! That's why I take pictures of clouds, haha.

Bedtime

around New Orleans doesn't exist. In the four nights I've stayed here, the earliest I have gone to bed is three. Anyway, volunteered again yesterday and hit the French Quarter again last night. Will post more details later, just trying to make it to Austin now =)

Whew!

Pretty tired...just got back from volunteering at Habitat for Humanity. You can see a pic of the house we are working on below - I was doing caulking and roofing until it started raining and we had to pack it in. Getting ready for a nap now since I was out at the jazz bars til 3 and had to be at the house to start working by 7:30 and its a 20 minute drive. Anyway, saw a cool little trio at a place called Fritzel's. They were good; I saw the piano player earlier at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, and decided to check him out downtown. Drinks weren't cheap though, so I headed down Bourbon Street til I heard my fav Stevie Wonder song playing, and went into that bar (which I thought was called Fat Cats but can't find anywhere so I was obviously mistaken - I'll check it out tonight) and listened to a nine piece jazz band do everything from This is How We Do It to Funky Town. Pretty hot stuff. Anyway, got some pics for ya and then its bedtime for a bit.

In the Big Easy

and went to The Boot last night for 50 cent drink night - was pretty fun. Took a couple pictures yesterday that I am posting - should have some more today after I check out the French Quarter and such. Sorry for the short post but I wanna get out into town this morning. =)