Nashville was my first port of call. Dubbed America's Music City and home to the biggest music event in the world (I'm pretty sure that's true!) the CMA Fest. I was in my element, country music playing everywhere and country music fans as far as the eye can see. Each and every performer stated that they believed country music fans were the best kind of fans. And I got to agree with that!
You see country music is just songs about life, love, loss, friendship, good times. It's easy listening and has so many genres within its genre. I hate when people stereotype it and don't give it a chance. I don't only listen to country music, I believe good music is good music irrespective of genre!
The people in Nashville were some of the friendliest people I have ever come across! These people say sorry to you when you bump into them!
There wasn't a lift or line I was in where someone didn't ask your name or where you were from or even just say hello! Gentleman were gentleman, holding the door open, waiting until all the ladies exited the lift first, saying 'hello ma'am' as you walked by them.
I had an absolute blast and did not want it to end. Why would I? I was in my element.
But it did and the time came when I had to leave. Leave all the new friends I had made, leave all the hospitality of the South and head north, to New York City.
I was excited, despite the 3 hour flight delay due to bad weather in New York. It was going to be a different type of adventure!
But probably what I wasn't prepared for was how different it would be. I arrived at my hostel around 10:00pm at night, exhausted after a long day of flights and delays to be treated by a not so friendly, or helpful receptionist.
To say I hit a wall on my third day in New York would be an understatement! Most days I was heading back to my hostel for a Nanna nap! I felt like I had a massive Nashville hangover and almost like I had jet lag all over again!
New York is home to around 8.5 million people but it is an extremely lonely place, especially for a big time introvert solo traveller such as myself. Don't get me wrong, I am used to being by myself and it doesn't bother me. Being alone and being lonely are two different things though.
But New York is it's own kind of amazing!! So many world famous places to visit and so much to see and do it's impossible to do it all, it would be awesome to have someone to share the experience with. I shared a different kind of love for it!
After coming from Nashville where everyone was so friendly to New York, where everyone is in a rush, for this little Aussie from the bush, it was a culture shock within a culture shock.
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