So I left the good old NC to venture on down to another good friend of mine, Rusty, who lives about 3 hours drive from Johnston but in a different state. I was keen to compare the two, and not going to assume anything on Johnstons bias, as he said: "Its always better on top". So the 3 of us shared a lunch, and I swapped cars bound for Rusty's house.

We arrived at his Grandma's house for lunch, and I met his family. Driving down I saw fewer and fewer houses, and I knew that we were headin' to the ol' US countryside. I met some cousins, uncles, Rusty's parents of course, his sister, grandma- it was just a great family Sunday BBQ. Before long we headed off to Rusty's house, and I was stunned to see he is the proud owner of about 14 cars (or I think I counted). Most of them were VW beetles, some a little worse for wear, but it was a pretty crazy sight all the same.

Over the course of the week and a half I was with Rusty he took me on many tours around SC. First up I went back to uni, Coker College, to attend class with Rusty. I went to German, Spanish, Civil War History and Western Civilisation classes. The first I listened and semi knew what was going on. Spanish I had no clue as it was advanced, so I sat there writing rap and talking to the ladies in the class (Rusty I want my rap back by the way and Kim I want my heart back). Haha no Im joking of course, but I do want my rap, it was good. Civil War History saw me leading a class re-enactment of a key battle, with yours truly as the Confederate General (fitting I thought). Good fun by all, it was great to meet the locals and they paid me much attention (always nice).

We also took a weekend Road Trip up to Clemson and Columbia, a bit of drinking and socialising there, nothing too extreme. And we also went with Rusty's dad to Myrtle Beach, a tourist beach with the biggest and most elaborate Mini Golf courses I have ever seen. Of course we played, and somehow I won, because Dad knows I putt like a blind man in a straight-jacket. But we had a great time, saw an Imax film, went to the beach, won a little seal on one of those grab-a-toy arcade games. No, it wasnt real...

But anyway I had a great time, it was fantastic to meet Rusty's family and check out so much that SC has to offer. Im in Mexico now, dont get me started now, you'll have to wait and see...

Well guys someones been a slacker once again, I hate having to apologise everytime I write for not writing sooner. Anyway I have now arrived in the US of A, been here about 2 weeks already. This is my account of the American experience so far...

So I arrived at Raleigh airport, met by Johnston who was my best mate in China, and it was great to see him again. Then he says we are going to celebrate my arrival, so before getting home we stopped at a "mall" and got dinner at a place called "Cheers". Walking on the way however we see this huge woman trying out a new exercise machine which is basically a stool that rocks back and forth really quickly. The funniest part is theres not really anywhere to put your hands so she looked like she was doing a really flailing-rapid-seated-pelvic thrust-dance-thing in a shop window. Welcome to America.

So we eat at Cheers, I had ribs which were awesome, and juggled catching up with Johnston as well as watching American Football on the many massive plasma screens around the room. The waitress was really nice and everyone down here is just so damn nice its great.

So what have I done that is American?? Well, I went to my first College football game, North Carolina University Vs Furman. We started at 1pm, drinking and "tailgating", which is getting out camper chairs and a box of Bojangles (fried chicken), and chilling out pre-game. The NC Tarheels (our team) won a thrilling 45-43. Whats even better is that I finally understood the rules and wasnt asking too many questions.

Ive had many random things here, a bowl of Cheerios, Taco Bell, Applebees, Tootsie Roll Pop, you name it Ive tried it. I also had my first game of Beer Pong. Johnston is a fraternity brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon, and we went to a frat party (Naughty n' Nice) last Tuesday. Crazy fun, had such a great time, Ive never had girls so interested in the way I talk in my entire life. But yeah the Beer Pong. For those who dont know, you line up 10 cups like bowling pins, fill them a third with beer, and you play 2v2 at each end of the table throwing a ping pong ball into the cups. You sink it, they drink it. Simple, first to drink all cups loses. I am currently 6-0 wins to losses, they are talking about me challenging the 15-0 record, but lets wait and see.

Johnston's mum is a teacher at a local school, and asked me if Id like to go for half a day to talk to the classes about where Im from. You all know me, I jumped at the opportunity, and spent an awesome time telling all about Perth, zooming in on my house on Google Earth, talking about Kangaroos and Drop Bears (yes, I really did, they bought it hook, line and sinker).

Anyway I have to go, so much more to talk about from here, I leave Sunday (sniff) but am staying in the States, going to South Carolina, Mexico, LA, New Zealand and then back to Perth. Its only about 4-5 weeks till I arrive! I hope you all are ready for some serious coming home parties, and a few Beer Pong challenges :P Later all.

Well hello all again!

It was a sad day when I said goodbye to my second home which is now Italy, but at the same time it was refreshing and a little nervous to be heading to another country. I caught a Ryanair flight once again which took me to "Brussels" (Ryanair says they go to the city but the airport you arrive is always ages from the actual city itself). However it only cost me 40 euro, and was a good flight. I had a friend Isabel, who I met in China, and she was there to meet me with her dad, and a small banner with "Dave" on it.

Anyway we made a beeline for her parents house, and I was sat down with a few beers put in front of me. Her dad is keen on his beer, and was very happy to meet someone who was just as keen, but not familiar with what Belgium had to offer. And 4 beers later (which were 8.5, 9, 9, and 10% alcohol volume respectively), I was feeling right at home. We had Stoflae (geez the spelling of that is way off the mark), which is essentially a steamed beef stew with a thick pepper gravy- either way it was damn good.

The following days I took a tour of Belgium with any combination of Isabel, her boyfriend, her brother, her friends and flatmates. I got the chance to go into French-Belgium and its primary city Dinant, which was like France exactly, we also went up to Gent and took a great tour of Leuven. Not to mention of course Brussels, which is one of the more stranger cities Ive been to, with a chocolate fountain (look out Willy Wonka), a little statue of a dude that pees in a fountain, and a woman who if you feel up from head to toe you can make a wish. Whoever designed these monuments was surely riding the Trippy Train in Drugland. Side issue.

So I got to eat a massive amount of chocolate while I was there. Youve heard what they say about Belgian chocolate? Its true, times 100, I dont know how they can live healthily with such good food, beer and chocolate. And the girls?

The break in line indicates my heart skipping a beat. Geezus and boy howdy, these girls are great. All of them are so nice, so beautiful, and there is a range from the guy who prefers blonds to the rustic brunettes- but to the guys who like the rangas- not much to offer there gents, sorry.

Anyway enough of that, my time in Belgium is short but now the US awaits and Im very excited. Hope your enjoying the installments and if your not then back off chilby! Haha just kidding, dont yell at me mum :-(

'Till next time, Dave

Well I have left Italy, but couldnt leave without posting at least something small about Venice, which I visited about 2 weeks ago. My family lives in the province of Treviso, as I mentioned maybe previously, which is perfect distance for a day trip to the Canal City. So one Sunday I went to the house of my cousin and her boyfriend, (great 3rd wheel situation that one), and we jumped on a train headlanding to Venice.

The trip took about 45 minutes, and the train was gunning it around corners and inclining at 45 degrees. Moreover (geez who uses "moreover" in the 21st century?), the train was really quite old. As you can imagine there were times I thought we were going to fly off the rails, but someone Italian engineering loves to give you a theme park ride that seems dangerous but ends up being safe (for the most part).

Anyway, we arrived at the train station having crossed the sea that separates mainland Italy from Venice. OK I should point this out, I didnt know Venice was an "island city" in the true sense of the word. So for those like me, (which is probably noone and right now I seem mighty uncultured), you now know that Venice is made up of about 3 or 4 islands. There are also no roads for cars in Venice, only pedestrian walkways between buildings. Taxis, buses, construction vehicles and everything, all operate on the canals. Its really crazy, to be honest Venice has to be one of the most impractical cities on the planet.

However impractical does not mean bad. The culture in Venice is hard to keep away from you, even for an art cynic like myself. The whole city is just so old but so well kept, and visiting places like the Basilica of Santa Maria and the various bridges, not to mention the famous Piazza of San Marco- all incredible and I was so happy to be able to see it first-hand.

It was a long day, my head was more overwhelmed than my body, both of which had been surprised by Venice big-time. I was keen to just have a slash and get on the train to rest. While I was waiting for the toilet, this woman saw my Socceroos jersey I was wearing (I like to show Im Australian when we visit the hot-tourist spots), and it turns out she was Australian also. When she said she lived in Mount Lawley I was like: whoh craziness, (my new favourite word is crazy), and we had a short chat before nature was calling my name loudly. But thats another story. Im in Belgium, heading to US on Wednesday to visit my main man Johnston, but Ill definitely write an entry about the crazy land Im in now! Ciao

Hey all!

Its been far too long since my last entry, and I apologise, there is very limited opportunity to get on the net and write. Enough of the excuses, but also sorry to those for the slow or non-reply to emails- Ill get around to it ASAP!

The Monday before last (as in the 21st of August) I said goodbye to my newfound family and friends in Gorno, Bergamo, (with a tear or two I will admit) and took a 3 hour car-ride to my Dads side of the family in the province of Treviso, in the North-East of Italy. I was met by my uncle who some of you may have met before, as he has been many times to visit family in Australia. Anyway we arrived at his v nice house, and I settled in comfortably. I met my cousins and aunt (who I had never met before), and everything was great.

Over the last week and a half I have been touring around the area as well as beyond. Just yesterday we went up to the Dolomite Mountains on the border to Austria, and I couldnt close my mouth from the awe. The views were absolutely amazing, the air was so damn clean (especially compared to the air I had in Hangzhou), and the way that people live up there is just totally unforgettable. I realised that if I didnt have family here I would never have known or visited anything like this, and I am very very stoked for the experience.

As in Germany, the history of Italy is absolutely incredible, and Ive visited many churches, museums and old-style buildings which Ive never seen anything like in Aust. But dont worry, I havnt been a complete book-worm, I think Italy has seen me be the most wild Ive ever been, something for everyone to look forward to (the new party Dave) when I arrive back home.

Last Sunday I took a one-hour train ride down to Venice with my cousin and her boyfriend (spot the third wheel), but that is one place I have fallen for. Ive decided to write about that later, so until then take care and have a drink for me. Cheers.

PS- I will be arriving about mid-late November at this stage, still have a long way to go. From here its up to Belgium, then onto London then the US. More of that as it comes!